Finance Intern

Knight Watch Inc.; Kalamazoo (MI); Hybrid; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Knight Watch, Inc. in Kalamazoo, Michigan is seeking a Finance Intern to support the full monthly accounting cycle under the Controller. The role focuses on month-end close, WIP, reconciliations, and GL research, with hands-on exposure to ERP systems and Excel-based reporting.

You will work part-time (15–25 hours/week), with potential for full-time after graduation and summer/holiday flexibility. Ideal for students in Accounting or Finance seeking real-world experience.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Junior or senior standing preferred.
• Exposure to ERP/accounting software (Sage Intacct, ConnectWise, NetSuite, Dynamics, QuickBooks) preferred.
• Coursework or familiarity with ASC 606 revenue recognition, percentage-of-completion, or job costing preferred.
• Experience with Power Query, Power BI, or SQL preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support month-end close and journal entry prep.
• Assist in preparing the monthly WIP schedule, including cost-to-date, billings-to-date, and estimated cost-at-completion inputs.
• Prepare assigned monthly balance sheet reconciliations and document reconciling items.
• Trace transactions from source documents to general ledger postings and summarize findings.
• Build and maintain Excel workbooks for recurring finance reporting; run ad-hoc analyses.

Skills

Numerical accuracy

Excel proficiency

Pivot tables

VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP

SUMIFS

AI tools

Written communication

Discretion with data

On-site readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Intermediate Accounting I

Tools

Sage Intacct

ConnectWise

NetSuite

Dynamics

QuickBooks

Job description

Job Title – Finance Intern

Who We Are:

Knight Watch, Inc. is Michigan's fastest-growing security integration and building automation company. We serve leading healthcare, education, and industrial organizations by delivering systems that make buildings safer, smarter, and more efficient. At Knight Watch, every role matters. Our work supports our customers, strengthens our team, and reflects a commitment to excellence, innovation, and care.

We are a trusted one-stop partner from design and planning through installation and service, focused on creating lasting value and delivering work that matters.

Knight Watch specializes in integrated building solutions, including access control, video surveillance, security systems, fire alarm systems, HVAC controls, building automation, and lighting controls.

Position Overview:

This is a great opportunity for a Finance Intern who wants to build a strong working foundation in accounting within a project-based business. Working directly with the Controller, you will gain hands‑on exposure to the full monthly accounting cycle, including month‑end close, work‑in‑process schedules, balance sheet reconciliations, and general ledger research.

We are looking for a detail‑oriented, numbers‑driven student pursuing a degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field for our Kalamazoo, MI location who is comfortable with Excel, curious about how a project‑based business runs its finances, and eager to apply classroom knowledge to real accounting work. This role may develop into a full‑time opportunity upon graduation.

Why You’ll Love Knight Watch, Inc.:

• Work directly with the Controller and gain hands‑on experience across the full monthly close cycle.
• Build a genuine working foundation in accounting within a project‑based business.
• Enjoy a flexible, part‑time schedule (15–25 hrs/week) built around your class commitments.
• Potential to grow into a full‑time opportunity upon graduation.
• Full‑time hours may be available during summer and academic breaks.

Key Responsibilities:

Month-End Close

• Support the close calendar by tracking task completion and flagging items at risk of the schedule.
• Prepare recurring journal entry support.
• Complete monthly bank account reconciliations.
• Pull comparative data for variance review and identify period‑over‑period movement requiring explanation.

Work in Process

• Assist in preparing the monthly WIP schedule, including cost‑to‑date, billings‑to‑date, and estimated cost‑at‑completion inputs.
• Reconcile project costs between ConnectWise and Sage Intacct and research discrepancies.
• Support over/under billing analysis and unbilled revenue review.
• Maintain project‑level cost detail used in percentage‑of‑completion revenue recognition.

Balance Sheet Reconciliations

• Prepare assigned monthly account reconciliations, tying general ledger balances to subledgers, bank statements, and third‑party detail.
• Document reconciling items with clear descriptions and expected resolution.
• Assist with inventory, accrued liability, and prepaid account reconciliations.
• Escalate aged or unexplained items to the Controller with a proposed next step.

General Ledger Research

• Trace transactions from source document through subledger to general ledger posting.
• Investigate unusual account activity and summarize findings in writing.
• Review account coding and identify recurring miscoding patterns for correction at the source.
• Extract and format GL detail for internal review, audit requests, and tax support.

Analysis & Reporting

• Build and maintain Excel workbooks supporting recurring finance reporting.
• Prepare data extracts from ConnectWise and Sage Intacct for analysis.
• Complete ad‑hoc analysis assigned by the Controller.

Skills & Traits Needed to Win:

• Strong numerical accuracy and an instinct to verify rather than assume.
• Demonstrated Excel proficiency: able to independently build pivot tables, write VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP and SUMIFS formulas, and structure raw data exports without manual re‑entry.
• Working familiarity with AI tools and interest in applying them to accounting workflows, including judgment regarding when independent verification is required.
• Clear, concise written communication.
• Ability to handle confidential financial, payroll, and customer information with discretion.
• Comfortable working on‑site and managing prolonged periods of desk and computer work.

Education & Experience:

• Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; junior or senior standing preferred.
• Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in, Intermediate Accounting I or equivalent.
• Exposure to ERP or accounting software such as Sage Intacct, ConnectWise, NetSuite, Dynamics, or QuickBooks preferred.
• Coursework or familiarity with ASC 606 revenue recognition, percentage‑of‑completion, or job costing preferred.
• Experience with Power Query, Power BI, or SQL preferred.

Work Location & Hours:

Department: Finance & Accounting

Reports To: Controller

Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan (on‑site at headquarters)

FLSA Status: Non‑Exempt, Hourly

Schedule: Part‑time, 15–25 hours per week. Schedule is flexible around class commitments, with consistent weekly availability agreed to in advance. Availability during month‑end close, generally the first four to six business days of each month, is strongly preferred. Full‑time hours may be available during summer and academic breaks.

Work Environment: On‑site at the Kalamazoo headquarters. The role involves prolonged periods of desk work and computer use.

Ready to build your career in finance with Knight Watch? Apply today and join a company where your work matters.

Knight Watch, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Duties may change at any time with or without notice.

For more information, please visit:

www.knightwatch.net