Treasurer Controller Intern (Undergraduate Students)

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s Core Values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, and culture. Each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary

These positions will support the Treasury, Accounting, Budget, and Capital Finance divisions of the Finance Department. The intern will participate in different stages of analysis on a variety of projects and must be knowledgeable in all stages of data collection, integration, and analysis. The intern will assist in managing financial data, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting large-scale budgetary and accounting projects. By performing reconciliations, reporting, and data analysis, the intern will help maintain the integrity of the MBTA's financial systems while gaining comprehensive exposure to public sector finance.

The most qualified (or ideal) candidates would be enrolled in a Bachelors / undergraduate program in Finance, Accounting, or related field, at least one year of experience in budget / finance / accounting, and above average skills in MS Excel. We are looking to hire five (5) interns in various capacities, who will work at least 2 to 3 days in-office (40 hours per week) for three months.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Treasury: This intern will support the Treasury team in applying for additional federal loans and related reporting requirements; improve reporting for post issuance compliance; help with management and oversight of $500 million debt service budget and $5 billion in outstanding debt and manage investment earnings and cash on hand. The Treasury intern will interface with MBTA banking partners, investors, and financial advisors.

• Accounting: This intern will prepare and reconcile balance sheet accounts, bank reconciliations, and daily cash position. They will also prepare journal entries for supervisory review, review and enter month-end accrual journal entries, and review supporting documentation for completeness and accuracy. Additionally, this intern will assist in Financial Statement Audit and Single Audit by completing requests provided by external auditors including, but not limited to, pulling invoices and time cards, running PeopleSoft queries, reviewing / analyzing Capital spend by work order / grant / funding source; and perform physical inventory counts of the MBTA's fixed assets and / or materials inventory at various locations throughout metropolitan area,

• Budget Operations Finance: This intern will assist with a variety of budgeting, reporting, and analytical activities related to Operations. The intern may also assist with related special projects such as standard operating procedures, process improvements, contract reviews, and cost benefit analysis.

• Capital Finance & Accounting (CFA): This intern will provide analytical support to the MBTA's capital program, with a focus on monitoring federal fund obligations / expenditures and capital project budgets. Specific responsibilities may include working closely with members of CFA and MBTA capital project teams to ensure federal grant requirements are complied with, conducting program-wide budget and expense analyses, and preparing various departmental reports, financial spreadsheets, variance reports, charts, tables, and graphs for presentations.

• Budget: This intern will assist with a variety of budgeting, reporting, and analytical activities. The intern may also assist with special related projects such as standard operating procedures, process improvements, contract reviews, and cost benefit analysis.

All interns will be expected to do the following:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers.
• Conform to shifting priorities, demands, and timelines.
• Participate in team / staff meetings, organization events, fieldwork, project teams, or other duties as needed.
• Additional responsibilities may include focusing on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendum or hiring manager for department or location specific functions.

• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

* The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and complexity of the work being performed by staff assigned to this job and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position. The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• Enrolled, for entire duration of employment, in an accredited college / university, preferably in a finance, accounting, or related field.
• Above average proficiency in MS Office Suite with an emphasis on Excel (pivot tables, formulas, data visualizations, etc.).
• Above average attention to detail and ability to process and organize large datasets accurately.
• Above average ability to communicate financial information clearly and professionally to internal teams.
• Proactive approach to identifying discrepancies in financial records or reporting.
• High level of discretion and responsibility when handling sensitive financial data.
• Above average ability to balance routine tasks, such as data entry, with complex analytical projects and assignments.
• Above average ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and external partners.
• Above average analytical skills with ability to evaluate data and make recommendations.
• Above average familiarity with digital tools and platforms; ability to learn new systems quickly.
• Interest in public service, government archives, or public transportation and how it operates.
• Above average ability to communicate effectively in English, both in written and oral forms.
• Highly organized, motivated, and have great attention-to-detail.
• Ability to independently commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Authorized to work in the United States (international students in CPT, STEM, or OPT programs through a university are eligible to apply). The MBTA does not provide visa sponsorship, such as H1-B status.

* The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and complexity of the work being performed by staff assigned to this job and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required.

Substitutions Include

• No substitutions.

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.

Disclaimers and Definitions:

1. General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
2. Application Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
3. Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
4. Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
5. Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
6. Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
7. Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
8. On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
9. Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
10. ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or hradaaa@mbta.com.
11. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions.
12. Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.