Finance/Accounting Intern

Michigan Milk Producers Association is seeking an ambitious accounting intern this summer. Our mission is to market our members’ milk to the greatest advantage possible. Founded in 1916, this dairy cooperative focuses on providing stability and value to its producer-members in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin, while focusing on sustainability, quality, and community.

About the Role: As an accounting intern, you will be mentored and work within a team of professionals to maintain financial order and transparency. The role focuses on contributing to the efficient operation of the department, often involving tasks in various areas of finance.

Ideal Candidate: An ambitious, meticulous student familiar with accounting principles and comfortable working with numbers. The accounting internship is ideal for someone who is looking for a dynamic, traditional 5-day in-office presence, which allows opportunities to connect with team members. Candidates should be able to pivot quickly, be independent and work creatively.

Internship Experience: Past accounting interns at MMPA have engaged in tasks such as utilizing financial programs, working with Microsoft Excel, and gaining insight into the daily operations of a dairy cooperative.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Reporting & Analysis
• Budget/Actual Variance Analysis: Reviewing coding inconsistencies between budgeted amounts and actual expenditures.
• Collaboration: Working with Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) to understand variances and Accounts Payable (A/P) to correct coding.
• Process Improvement: Recommending reclasses and process changes to enhance accuracy in future reporting.
• Fixed Asset Management & Audit Prep.
• Book-to-Physical Review: Conducting a physical inventory check to reconcile fixed asset records with on-site equipment, identifying "ghost" assets, and updating the asset register.
• Audit Assistance: Compiling data and documentation for the 2025 external audit.
• Document Retention: Ensuring proper, organized documentation for AP and automated invoice processes.

Purchasing (PO) & General Ledger Maintenance

• PO Closure: Reviewing open Purchase Orders (POs) to identify and close out invalid, inactive, or completed POs to clean up the AP aging.
• Fixed Asset POs: Specifically closing out fixed asset POs to ensure proper capitalization and cost tracking.
• Assist with unclaimed property filing.

Technology & Process Automation

• D365 Implementation: Working within the test General Ledger (GL) module of Dynamics 365.
• Prepaid Automation: Developing a process flow within D365 to replace manual Excel-based tracking for prepaid accounts, improving efficiency and accuracy.
• Insurance Tracking Software: Assist in implementing an automated insurance tracking software to assist with risk management.

General Accounting

• Project Support: Assisting with other ad-hoc accounting tasks as needed.
• Assist with invoicing and support documentation.

Key Skills Learned

• ERP Proficiency: Dynamics 365 (D365) Finance and Operations.
• Technical Skills: Advanced MS Excel, PowerPoint, Insurance Tracking/Risk Management.
• Functional Knowledge: GAAP, Fixed Asset accounting, and purchasing/AP workflows, AR workflows.

Requirements

• Working towards a degree in Accounting or Finance.
• Software skills: Excel, PowerPoint, ERP experience is a plus.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the responsibilities.

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of responsibilities that are required of the role. Responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

MMPA provides the opportunity for meaningful work that makes a difference in the dairy industry and in our communities. The diverse talents and perspectives of our employees help us to meet the needs of our member farms and the customers we serve.

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. 

MMPA is committed to maintaining a safe, healthy, and productive environment for all employees as one of our top priorities. As part of our commitment to your well-being and workplace safety, all applicants are required to undergo a drug screening and background check as part of the hiring process. 

We are not accepting unsolicited candidate introductions, referrals, or résumés from third-party recruiters or staffing agencies for this position.

MMPA is an equal opportunity employer. 

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