Financial Analyst Intern

Virginia Spaceport Authority Internship Program gives students the chance to apply their education to real-world challenges through meaningful, hands-on projects. Top candidates are well-rounded students from a variety of backgrounds who demonstrate inquisitiveness, team-orientation, excellence, and resilience. At the time you apply for this announcement, you must be a degree seeking student who is enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited educational institution on at least a half-time basis.

SUMMARY

General Description: The Financial Analyst Intern will support the finance and accounting teams in analyzing financial data, preparing reports, and contributing to key business decisions. This role provides a hands-on learning opportunity for a motivated individual to gain practical experience in financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and process improvement initiatives. The intern will assist with tasks such as reconciling financial discrepancies, preparing variance analyses, and creating dashboards to track financial performance metrics. Additionally, the Financial Analyst Intern will collaborate with cross-functional teams, participate in financial planning meetings, and help drive insights that enhance operational efficiency and financial health.

This position is ideal for a detail-oriented and analytical individual with a strong interest in financial management and business strategy. The intern will develop critical thinking skills and gain exposure to the tools, systems, and processes utilized by finance professionals in a dynamic business environment.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Financial Data Analysis:
• Assist in analyzing financial reports, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Identify trends and provide insights to support decision-making.
• Budgeting and Forecasting:
• Support the preparation of financial forecasts.
• Analyze the variances between actual results and projections and prepare variance reports.
• Data Collection and Reconciliation:
• Gather, organize, and validate financial data from multiple sources.
• Reconcile discrepancies in data to ensure accuracy.
• Reporting and Presentations:
• Prepare financial reports, dashboards, and presentations for internal stakeholders.
• Summarize data findings and present actionable insights.
• Process Improvement:
• Assist in identifying inefficiencies in financial processes and recommend improvements.
• Support the automation of manual reporting tasks.
• Ad-Hoc Analysis:
• Respond to ad-hoc requests for financial analysis or reports from managers or other departments.
• Assist in evaluating the financial impact of potential business decisions.
• System and Tool Support:
• Learn and utilize financial systems (e.g., ERP software like NetSuite, Excel, Power BI).
• Provide support in maintaining financial tools and models.
• Collaboration:
• Work closely with finance, accounting, and operations teams to support cross-functional projects.
• Participate in team meetings to contribute ideas and updates.
• Research:
• Conduct market or industry research to support financial models and business cases.
• Assist in benchmarking studies to compare company performance against competitors.
• Compliance and Documentation:
• Ensure financial records and reports adhere to company policies and regulatory standards.
• Document processes and findings to maintain transparency and accuracy.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

General Education

College: Current enrollment in an associate or bachelor’s degree program from an accredited college or university

Major: Accounting/Finance/or Business Administration

Job-Related Experience: N/A

Certifications: N/A

Licenses, etc.: Valid driver's license is necessary while operating a vehicle while on agency business. Must be able to transport themselves to MARS and its facilities (located on Virginia’s Eastern Shore near Wallops Island, VA).

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Knowledge: Basic concepts of financial reporting, budgeting, accounting principles.

Skills: High knowledge of MS Office suite of products including VB coding in Excel.

Abilities: Critical thinking; Analytical skills

Physical Demands: Work is light requiring lifting of computer equipment and involves typical office behaviors. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must regularly lift and move up to 10 pounds.

Specific vision abilities this job requires include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: Work is performed in a typical office setting.

Must be able to obtain and maintain eligibility for issuance of a NASA credential.

Must be able to pass a pre-employment background check and drug test.