Program Intern Excise Tax

Pilot Company; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Pilot Company in Knoxville, Tennessee seeks an Excise Tax Intern for the summer of 2027 to gain hands-on exposure to federal, state and local excise taxes as they affect fuel movement through the supply chain.

You will assist with high-volume compliance, audits, and workflow standardization while being mentored by experienced professionals, building a strong foundation for a career in tax.

Qualifications

• Education: Pursuing an undergraduate degree in accounting (master’s in tax a plus).
• Technical skills: Proficiency in Excel; Alteryx or SQL is a plus.
• Soft skills: Strong collaboration, proactive communication, and ability to clarify requirements to keep projects moving.

Responsibilities

• Master Fuel Supply Chain Tax Dynamics across federal, state, and local excise taxes.
• Support tax compliance and filings for high-volume returns.
• Learn from seasoned professionals with hands-on training and real-world experience.
• Drive workflow standardization by auditing tracking tools and consolidating file structures.

Skills

Excel

Alteryx

SQL

Education

Undergraduate degree in accounting

Master’s concentration in Tax (nice-to-have)

Job description

Job Description

Are you an ambitious accounting student looking to apply your knowledge in a dynamic corporate environment? Pilot Company is seeking an Excise Tax Intern to join our team in Knoxville, Tennessee, for the summer of 2027. This is a unique opportunity to gain valuable insight into Excise Tax - understand how different federal, state, and local excise taxes impact how fuel moves through the supply chain - from import and pipeline transport to wholesale distribution and final retail sale.

In this role, you will be an essential member of our Excise Tax team, gaining direct exposure to the complex tax dynamics that drive physical fuel movement across North America. Your primary focus will be supporting our high-volume compliance efforts and driving operational efficiency by auditing, consolidating, and standardizing team tracking tools and file structures. Working side‑by‑side with experienced professionals who are dedicated to your growth, you will combine hands‑on tax experience with impactful workflow optimization—offering a well‑rounded foundation for your career in tax.

What You’ll Do

• Master Fuel Supply Chain Tax Dynamics: Gain direct exposure to how federal, state, and local excise taxes apply at every stage of physical fuel movement across North America.

• Support Tax Compliance & Filings: Observe and assist with compiling, reconciling, and preparing high-volume tax returns to ensure accuracy and timely submission to government authorities.

• Learn from the best: You'll be mentored by our staff, providing you with hands‑on training and real‑world experience.

• Drive Workflow Standardization: Resolve operational bottlenecks by auditing daily tracking tools and file management systems—consolidating 10–15 active team trackers and creating clear, standardized folder structures to improve team efficiency.

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For

• Education: Currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in accounting. A master's concentration in tax is a plus.

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Excel is essential. Experience with Alteryx or SQL is a great advantage.

• Soft Skills: Strong collaborative skills with the confidence to reach out across teams, ask timely questions, and clarify requirements to ensure project momentum.

• Qualities: A desire to learn and an eagerness to contribute to a collaborative environment. We value individuals who are driven, reliable, authentic, and welcoming.

Additional Information

Why Pilot Company?

Our culture is built on four core virtues: Driven, Reliable, Authentic, and Welcoming. As an intern, you will see these values in action every day. You'll be part of a team that is driven to meet deadlines, reliable in its commitment to accuracy, authentic in its interactions, and welcoming to new ideas and perspectives.

This is a full-time, in‑person internship running from June 7 – August 13, 2027. You’ll be working alongside our team in our Knoxville headquarters, where you’ll have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships and experience the full scope of life at Pilot Company.