Financial Planning & Analysis Intern - Summer 2027

Cognitioworld; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work in Chicago

Housing assistance possible

Job summary

Cognitioworld in Chicago offers a hybrid FP&A internship for a junior undergraduate student. You will support financial reporting, analytics, and budgeting, while gaining hands-on experience with KPIs, dashboards, and scenario planning tools.

The role emphasizes data analysis, large datasets, and effective communication of findings to leadership. Strong Excel skills and familiarity with Power BI are highly valued, with housing assistance discussed during interviews.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled as a junior undergraduate student.
• Pursuing Finance, Accounting, or Data Analytics as major preferred.
• Strong Excel skills with pivot tables and formulas; Power Query/macros ideal.
• Experience with PowerBI or other data visualization software is a plus.
• Detail-oriented with comfort handling large datasets.
• Strong analytical and writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Support FP&A with financial reporting, analytics, and operations.
• Assist with annual budget development and monthly forecasts.
• Analyze data and trends related to Foundation spending.
• Develop KPI dashboards and financial scorecards for leadership.
• Build automated interactive financial models and scenario planning tools.
• Assist in automating month-end close reporting tools and variance analysis.
• Leverage AI software to enhance FP&A processes using Microsoft products.
• Summarize variance analyses and findings for cost centers.

Skills

Advanced Excel (Pivot Tables)

Power Query / Macros

PowerBI / Data Visualization

Data analysis

Presentation & writing

Education

Junior undergraduate student in Finance/Accounting/Data Analytics

Tools

PowerBI

Power Query

Excel

Macros

Job description

Your Role

Here’s what you will be doing:

• Support the Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) function with financial reporting, analytics, and operations.
• Assist with the annual budget development cycle and monthly forecast process.
• Analyze data and trends related to Foundation spending.
• Explore key performance indicators (KPIs), financial scorecards, dashboards, and other visual tools to illustrate financial performance.
• Help build automated interactive financial models and scenario-planning tools.
• Assist in automating month-end close reporting tools to streamline reconciliation and variance analysis.
• Leverage AI software to enhance FP&A processes using Microsoft products.
• Analyze trends in expenses, headcount, and other key metrics; summarize findings for leadership.
• Conduct industry research on finance-related grantmaking operations and report findings to the FP&A team.
• Review annual budget submissions and prepare internal reports summarizing variance analyses and discussion items by cost center.
• Assist with ad hoc analysis requests from department heads.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

About You

The company is looking for candidates who meet the following qualifications:

• Currently enrolled as a junior undergraduate student.
• Major in Finance, Accounting, or Data Analytics preferred.
• Strong Excel skills including pivot tables and formulas; experience with Power Query or macros is ideal.
• Experience with PowerBI or other data visualization software is a plus.
• Detail-oriented and comfortable working with large datasets.
• Intellectual curiosity with a willingness to investigate reasons behind data changes.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Strong organizational and data management abilities.
• Strong presentation and writing skills.

Compensation & Benefits

• Paid internship with hourly rates starting at $22.00 per hour.
• Hybrid work environment based in Chicago, Illinois with designated in-office and virtual days.
• Housing assistance may be available for non-local students, to be discussed during the interview process.