Finance Intern: Analytics & Benchmarking for Utilities

Lansing Board of Water & Light; Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 26,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL) in Lansing, MI offers a full-time summer Finance Intern position with hands-on experience in financial analysis, benchmarking, reporting, and business planning within a municipal utility.

You will work under mentors from the executive and finance teams, supporting projects, preparing financial reports, and gaining exposure to budgeting, cost-of-service analyses, and data-driven decision making.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an accredited educational institution with a focus on Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration, or a related field with junior or senior status during the summer of 2027.
• Must be enrolled in fall classes 2027.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• A cover letter is requested with your submission, please.

Responsibilities

• Assist with ongoing Finance & Planning projects and initiatives, including financial analysis, benchmarking, reporting, and process-improvement efforts.
• Conduct benchmarking analyses comparing BWL’s financial and operational performance with other municipal public power and water agencies using relevant industry resources, including the American Public Power Association (APPA) and the American Water Works Association (AWWA).
• Assist with analysis related to rate-class competitiveness and cost-of-service models.
• Perform financial analysis and prepare supporting calculations, summaries, and presentations for internal use.
• Prepare and run standard financial reports and assist with reviewing and organizing financial data.
• Research and compile industry, financial, and operational data to support benchmarking and strategic planning activities.
• Assist with finance enhancement projects designed to improve processes, reporting, analytical tools, and decision support.
• Coordinate internal meetings, including scheduling, preparation of materials, documentation, and follow-up as assigned.
• Support business units and Finance & Planning staff by gathering information, analyzing data, and providing project assistance.
• Respond to ad hoc financial and analytical requests and assist with special projects as departmental needs arise.
• Utilize standard office software, including spreadsheet, word‑processing, presentation, database, and collaboration applications, as well as SAP and other BWL systems as required.
• Maintain accurate, organized, and appropriately documented financial and analytical information.
• Follow established procedures for handling financial and other sensitive organizational information.
• Follow the BWL Safety Manual and use required personal protective equipment (PPE) when visiting field locations or performing duties requiring protective equipment.
• Attend required training, safety‑awareness programs, and skills‑development sessions, including those required by BWL or applicable governmental agencies such as MIOSHA.
• Comply with all BWL policies, procedures, work rules, and professional standards.
• Maintain predictable and reliable attendance.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Skills

Financial analysis

Benchmarking

Reporting

Business planning

Data-driven decision making

Education

Accounting/Finance/Business Administration focus

Tools

SAP

Spreadsheet software

Word processing

Presentation software

Database

Job description

The Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL) in Lansing, MI offers a full-time summer Finance Intern position with hands-on experience in financial analysis, benchmarking, reporting, and business planning within a municipal utility.

You will work under mentors from the executive and finance teams, supporting projects, preparing financial reports, and gaining exposure to budgeting, cost-of-service analyses, and data-driven decision making.