Finance Intern Summer 2027

Packaging Corporation of America; Tennessee; On-site; USD 33,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

401(k) with employer matching

Life/AD&D/Disability insurance

Job summary

Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) invites qualified finance/accounting students to join as a Finance Intern/Co-op for Summer 2027. The role emphasizes auditing, cost analysis, and working with Operations to support manufacturing cost controls.

The program includes exposure to T&M billings, physical inventories, and cross-functional teamwork. Enrollment at a qualifying university with a 3.0 GPA is required, with benefits and 401k enrollment on hire.

Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled in a listed university and pursuing Finance or Accounting or related field.
• GPA 3.0/4.0 minimum.
• Proficiency in Excel and ability to analyze cost data.

Responsibilities

• Assist in auditing and cost accounting tasks.
• Collaborate with Operations and non-accounting personnel.
• Learn contractor T&M billings, markups, and inventories.
• Communicate results clearly to accounting and operations teams.

Skills

Auditing

Teamwork

Safety awareness

Operational collaboration

Communication of results

Education

Accounting coursework

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Mainframe familiarity

Job description

As a Fortune 500 company, Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is an ideas and solutions company. Our corrugated packaging business seeks to be the leader in helping our customers - large and small - package, transport and display products of all kinds. Our white paper business delivers Paper With Purpose by providing the highest level of customer service and operational excellence. We have approximately 15,000 team members in more than 100 locations in the United States that strive to meet the local needs of our customers. Our mission is to serve the needs of our customers, today and tomorrow, with products and services that exceed expectations for performance and environmental responsibility.

People • Customers • Trust

People • Customers • Trust

At Packaging Corporation of America (PCA), we think of ourselves as more than a box manufacturer. We are an ideas and solutions company. We seek to be the leader in helping our customers - large and small - package, transport and display products of all kinds. It just happens to be that corrugated products are our area of expertise.

At PCA, you'll find the best people in the industry operating in a "golden rule" culture. We actively promote mutually rewarding relationships with each other and our customers by advocating respect for every individual, ethical and fair practices, and the highest standards in what we say and do. PCA is proud to have a highly skilled and experienced team leading the way.

As one of the largest producers of containerboard and corrugated packaging products in the U.S., PCA offers customers broad expertise and economies of scale, while our multiple plant locations let us rapidly meet the local needs of our customers.

Finance Intern/Co-op - Summer 2027

Job Requirements:

• Auditing Capabilities:
• Understanding of Contractor Time & Material Billings and markups
• Physical Inventories:
• Work with others outside the accounting group to perform physical inventories.
• Team Oriented:
• Sense of urgency, focus and curiosity
• Partner with Operations
• Able to take instructions, execute and effectively communicate results.
• Able to work with accounting and non-accounting personnel.
• Safety Awareness:
• Ability to work safely and adapt to environment when around machinery

Qualifications:

• Computer Skills:
• Proficient in use of MicroSoft EXCEL
• Familiar differences in Mainframe applications vs PC based systems
• Undergraduate course work in accounting:
• Process MFG Cost Accounting
• Cost Analysis
• Internal controls
• Forecasting
• Overall GPA 3.0/4.0

Basic Qualifications:

Must be currently enrolled at Mississippi State University, The University of Mississippi, Auburn University, University of Alabama, University of Maine, University of North Carolina State, Texas A&M University, University of Miami Ohio, Tennessee Technology University, or any University of TN and majoring in Finance or accounting or a related field and have completed the freshman year. A minimum grade point average of 3.0/4.0 is required and must be a permanent U.S. resident.

Preferred:

Students that sign up for interviews through University during the Career Fairs and On-Campus Interview days will be given first consideration.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Starting salary range for position: $24.00
• Paid Holidays.
• Within the first 30 days of employment, an employee (and their dependents) is eligible to enroll in certain benefit coverages -- medical, dental, and vision - and are automatically enrolled in life, AD&D, and disability coverages
• Upon hire, an employee is automatically enrolled in the 401k plan. The plan offers both pre-tax and Roth contribution options along with employer provided matching contributions
• Disclaimer: The Compensation and Benefits information in this posting represents PCA's good faith and reasonable estimate of what it may pay for this position. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

PCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer