Controller Office Intern – Summer 2027

Job Description

Controller’s Office Intern – Summer 2027 | MacArthur Foundation

The Tone:
This is a seasonal internship at the MacArthur Foundation, located in Chicago, IL, with a hybrid work environment. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is one of the nation’s largest independent foundations, dedicated to supporting creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. The Foundation invests in solving critical social challenges, including advancing global climate solutions, promoting local justice reform, revitalizing local news, expanding who creates, uses, and benefits from artificial intelligence, and strengthening the well-being of Native communities. This internship in the Controller’s Office offers a unique opportunity to gain meaningful, hands-on experience using emerging technology in financial operations within a mission-driven organization.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Type: Seasonal
• Location: Hybrid Chicago, IL
• Pay: $22 hourly
• Team: Part of the Finance Department, reporting directly to the Controller. The Finance Department oversees all accounting, banking, payroll, internal controls, tax, audit, financial reporting, and budget and forecasting for the Foundation, including its international offices in India and Nigeria, and affiliates.
• Mission: This role supports key projects across operational accounting functions, including Investment Accounting, Tax, Accounts Payable, Grants Accounting, and Payroll, by using AI and data analysis to identify trends, anomalies, and opportunities for improved accuracy and efficiency.
• Tech Stack: Microsoft Excel, Power BI, Tableau, Claude, ChatGPT, CoPilot

What You’ll Actually Do
• Analysis: Use approved AI and data analysis tools to identify trends, anomalies, and opportunities to improve accuracy and efficiency in financial operations.
• Reporting: Assist with creating AI-enabled dashboards and reporting tools to strengthen financial tracking and decision-making.
• Support: Support operational accounting projects by using AI for reconciliations, audits, and process improvements.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Current 2nd or 3rd-year undergraduate student or a graduate student pursuing a degree in Accounting or Finance.
• Experience: Proficiency in Microsoft Excel is required, alongside a working knowledge of AI tools such as Claude, ChatGPT, or CoPilot.
• Skills: Demonstrated strong analytical and critical thinking abilities. Must be detail-oriented, organized, and eager to learn.
• Bonus: Interest in nonprofit or global financial operations is a plus, as is experience with data visualization tools like Power BI and Tableau.