Intern, Finance

Thank you for your interest in the BWL. We think you'll find it a rewarding and nurturing place to grow your career.

Starting Salary Range: $23.00 - $23.00

Job Description

The Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL) has an opening for a Finance Intern with our executive and support from the finance department, located in Lansing, MI.

Position Summary:

 

Job Type: Full-Time Summer Internship

Dates: May 17, 2027 - August 13, 2027

Pay Rate: $23.00 per hour.

The Finance Intern will gain hands-on experience in financial analysis, benchmarking, reporting, business planning, and finance-related process improvement within a municipal public utility environment. Working with the executive and finance team, the intern will support projects and initiatives that provide BWL business units with financial information, analytical tools, and insights to support consistent and effective decision-making.

Key assignments may include conducting financial analyses, benchmarking BWL against other municipal public power and water agencies, supporting rate-class competitiveness and cost-of-service analysis, preparing standard financial reports, and assisting with finance enhancement projects. The intern will also support internal meetings, special projects, and ad hoc analytical requests based on departmental priorities.

The Finance Intern will work under the guidance and mentorship of a designated mentor within the executive team and finance and will gain exposure to the financial planning, analysis, reporting, and decision-support functions of a municipal utility.

The Finance Intern will work under the direction and mentorship of the Assistant General Manager / Corporate Services and members of the Finance & Department. The intern will receive practical experience in financial analysis, utility benchmarking, financial reporting, cost-of-service analysis, business planning, and data-driven decision-making.

Through the internship, the intern will develop an understanding of how financial information and analytical tools support planning and decision-making within a municipal public utility while gaining experience with industry benchmarking, financial systems, reporting, and cross-functional business support.

 

Essential Functions:

• Assist with ongoing Finance & Planning projects and initiatives, including financial analysis, benchmarking, reporting, and process-improvement efforts.
• Conduct benchmarking analyses comparing BWL's financial and operational performance with other municipal public power and water agencies using relevant industry resources, including the American Public Power Association (APPA) and the American Water Works Association (AWWA).
• Assist with analysis related to rate-class competitiveness and cost-of-service models.
• Perform financial analysis and prepare supporting calculations, summaries, and presentations for internal use.
• Prepare and run standard financial reports and assist with reviewing and organizing financial data.
• Research and compile industry, financial, and operational data to support benchmarking and strategic planning activities.
• Assist with finance enhancement projects designed to improve processes, reporting, analytical tools, and decision support.
• Coordinate internal meetings, including scheduling, preparation of materials, documentation, and follow-up as assigned.
• Support business units and Finance & Planning staff by gathering information, analyzing data, and providing project assistance.
• Respond to ad hoc financial and analytical requests and assist with special projects as departmental needs arise.
• Utilize standard office software, including spreadsheet, word-processing, presentation, database, and collaboration applications, as well as SAP and other BWL systems as required.
• Maintain accurate, organized, and appropriately documented financial and analytical information.
• Follow established procedures for handling financial and other sensitive organizational information.
• Follow the BWL Safety Manual and use required personal protective equipment (PPE) when visiting field locations or performing duties requiring protective equipment.
• Attend required training, safety-awareness programs, and skills-development sessions, including those required by BWL or applicable governmental agencies such as MIOSHA.
• Comply with all BWL policies, procedures, work rules, and professional standards.
• Maintain predictable and reliable attendance.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

 

 

Job Specifications:

• Currently enrolled in an accredited educational institution with a focus on Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration, or a related field with junior or senior status during the summer of 2027.
• Must be enrolled in fall classes 2027.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• A cover letter is requested with your submission, please.  

 

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

Employees are required to follow the BWL Safety Manual and wear required personal protective equipment, adhere to BWL safety rules and regulations, attend all training for safety awareness or skills improvement as required by supervisors, BWL, or governmental agency such as MIOSHA. Normal office and occasional field work.  Field conditions may include heat, cold, dust, and/or noise.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus, especially due to concentration on a computer screen and small numbers.

 

 Must successfully complete a background check, a substance screening and a physical (if applicable).

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position.  They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills that may be required of the employee.  Management reserves the right to add, remove, or otherwise alter these duties, responsibilities, and skills at any time.

About BWL:
The Board of Water & Light serves Lansing, Michigan, and surrounding areas with electricity, water, and steam. Lansing's city charter vests the BWL with full and exclusive management of water, steam, and electric services for or the city. The American Public Power Association has honored the Lansing Board of Water & Light as one of the country's best publicly-owned utilities.
 
The Location:
Lansing lies at the heart of the Great Lakes State and offers all the beauty and splendor of the four seasons. A haven for swimming, boating, fishing, snowmobiling, golf, and hunting, mid-Michigan is also just a couple hours from premier skiing and one of the most beautiful freshwater lakeshores in the world on our Lake Michigan Coast. Lansing itself is only minutes and miles away from two of the nation’s premier universities, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, and boasts miles of walking, running, biking trails, Potter Park Zoo, professional sports, the arts, and fine dining.
 
 

THE BOARD OF WATER & LIGHT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER