Accounting Intern

Avista•Spokane, WA

8d•$20 - $21•Onsite

About The Position

Avista is an energy company involved in the production, transmission, and distribution of energy as well as other energy-related businesses located in Spokane, Washington. Its service territory covers 30,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and parts of southern and eastern Oregon. The Projects & Fixed Assets Accounting team at Avista is seeking motivated, detail-oriented, and analytical students with an interest in accounting, finance, or business analytics to join their team for a paid summer internship. The ideal candidate is curious, organized, and eager to learn how large-scale capital projects and utility assets are accounted for in a regulated environment. This internship offers exposure to real-world accounting practices, collaboration with cross-functional project teams, and hands-on experience supporting capital investments critical to Avista’s infrastructure. Internship Details Our internship program gives students the opportunity to work in and with several different departments within Avista, and the program is geared around student development. Students will be assigned a formal mentor, participate in learning sessions about various parts of Avista, and join tours to Avista facilities—including some of our hydroelectric dams. Our goal is to help students learn as much as possible about the utility industry while gaining practical accounting experience. Interns may support work across the following areas: Capital Project Accounting: Assist with tracking, reviewing, and reconciling costs related to construction and infrastructure projects, including ensuring proper capitalization of project expenditures. Fixed Assets Accounting: Support maintenance of fixed asset records, including asset additions, transfers, retirements, and depreciation calculations. Financial Analysis & Reporting: Help prepare schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation for internal reporting, audits, and regulatory filings. Process Improvement & Data Integrity: Assist with improving documentation, reviewing processes, and supporting data accuracy across financial systems. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with project managers, engineering, and operations teams to understand project lifecycles and financial impacts.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old
Undergraduate student enrolled full time in college earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree in one of the following: Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or another related field.
Strong attention to detail, organization, and analytical skills
Effective written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work collaboratively in a professional team environment
This internship requires an on-site presence at our Spokane, Washington headquarters.
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a drug test, background check and motor vehicle records review.

Nice To Haves

Financial Accounting or Intermediate Accounting
Managerial or Cost Accounting
Excel (formulas, pivot tables, data organization)
ERP or accounting systems exposure

Responsibilities

Assist with tracking, reviewing, and reconciling costs related to construction and infrastructure projects, including ensuring proper capitalization of project expenditures.
Support maintenance of fixed asset records, including asset additions, transfers, retirements, and depreciation calculations.
Help prepare schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation for internal reporting, audits, and regulatory filings.
Assist with improving documentation, reviewing processes, and supporting data accuracy across financial systems.
Partner with project managers, engineering, and operations teams to understand project lifecycles and financial impacts.