Finance Intern

United Way of Central Indiana; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 19,320 - 27,517; Part time

Job summary

United Way of Central Indiana is seeking a Finance Intern to support daily accounting and financial operations. The role offers hands-on experience in nonprofit finance, including pledge processing and donor management. Interns will work closely with finance staff to gain foundational knowledge in operational support.

This internship is designed for undergraduate or graduate students seeking to develop skills in financial systems and customer service within a mission-driven organization.

Qualifications

• Sophomore, Junior, or Senior undergraduate student, graduate student, or recent graduate.
• Previous internship, administrative, customer service, or finance-related experience preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet recurring monthly processing deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Support the Finance team in processing pledges and validating donor information.
• Respond to community partner inquiries regarding donor designations and pledge status.
• Assist with preparation of financial reports and spreadsheets.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Customer service orientation

Communication skills

Education

Pursuing a degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Economics or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Financial software

Job description

Hourly Wage, Hours per Week, Duration

Hourly Wage: $17/hour
Hours per Week: Approximately 20
Duration: August - May

About United Way of Central Indiana

United Way of Central Indiana works to bring the resources of philanthropy, government, corporations, the social sector, and neighborhoods together to confront generational poverty head on and ensure a better future for our neighbors in need. This is an ambitious time to join United Way as we embark on a five-year strategic plan to reduce the number of households experiencing poverty and financial instability.

Position Summary

The Finance Intern is a member of the Finance team and supports daily accounting and financial operations related to pledge and payment processing, vendor management, donor support, and administrative finance functions. Working closely with the finance staff, the intern will gain hands‑on experience in nonprofit finance operations within a high‑volume donor and community partner environment. This internship is designed as a structured learning experience intended to build foundational knowledge in nonprofit accounting, financial processing, customer service, and operational support. The intern will work under close supervision and will not be independently responsible for final financial approvals, reconciliations, or external financial reporting.

By the end of the internship, the intern will:

• Gain practical experience in nonprofit finance and accounting operations within a mission‑driven organization
• Develop an understanding of pledge processing workflows and the relationship between financial transactions and financial reporting
• Learn how monthly deadlines, donor commitments, and payment processing impact organizational operations
• Strengthen customer service and professional communication skills through interaction with vendors and community partners
• Build foundational skills in financial systems, data accuracy, confidentiality, and process management
• Increase proficiency using financial and business software applications, including Excel and donor management systems

Position Duties & Learnings

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Finance Operations & Processing

• Gain hands‑on experience in a nonprofit, high‑donor‑based finance and accounting environment
• Support the Finance team in ensuring timely and accurate processing of pledges while understanding the impact of these transactions on financial statements
• Assist with reviewing pledge documentation, validating donor information, and resolving discrepancies related to contributions and payment processing
• Adhere to monthly processing deadlines
• Review, verify and enter new vendor information and vendor changes while ensuring accuracy and completeness of supporting documentation
• Assist with preparation of reports, spreadsheets, reconciliations and other finance‑related materials as assigned
• Coordinate with internal departments to obtain missing information, clarify transaction details, and support efficient processing workflows
• Support the Finance team with data entry, document organization, record retention, and audit preparation activities
• Help identify data inconsistencies or processing issues and elevate concerns appropriately to Finance team members
• Participate in process improvement efforts related to finance operations, donor processing, and administrative workflows
• Maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive financial, donor, and organizational information
• Perform special assignments and other work on an as‑needed basis

Donor & Community Partner Support

• Respond to community partner inquiries through donor choice portal and assist with resolving questions related to donor designations, pledge status, and payment activity
• Provide outstanding customer service support on pledge processing through timely, professional and solution‑oriented communication with internal and external stakeholders
• Perform special assignments and other work on an as‑needed basis

Qualifications (Education & Experience)

Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of formal education where appropriate.

• Sophomore, Junior, or Senior undergraduate student, graduate student, or recent graduate pursuing a degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field
• Previous internship, administrative, customer service, or finance‑related experience preferred
• Experience working with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and Word
• Experience working with databases, financial systems, or donor management preferred
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet recurring monthly processing deadlines
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail required
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive financial and donor information
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and shifting priorities in a fast‑paced environment
• Customer service orientation with the ability to communicate professionally with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to identify discrepancies, resolve issues, and upscale concerns appropriately
• Comfortable learning and navigating financial systems, databases, and donor platforms
• Strong time management and organizational skills
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality
• Commitment to accuracy and quality in financial and administrative processes

Position Leader

Senior Manager of Finance

Position Leads

N/A

FLSA Status

Non‑Exempt, Intern (20 hours a week)

Salary Range

$17 per hour

Benefits

N/A

Equal Opportunity Employer

United Way of Central Indiana (UWCI) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.