Financial Audit Intern—Local Government Audit, East TN

Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury • Knoxville, TN

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Comptroller of the Treasury's Audit Internship Program is a 10-week paid educational and experiential learning opportunity offering undergraduate students a chance to witness and participate in the audit operations of the office. Interns will spend the summer building skills through their assignment to an active audit and audit-specific training. Interns will also have opportunities to build relationships with each other through shared experiences.

Intern responsibilities may include learning to examine and review records, reports, financial statements, and management practices for local government entities and other organizations receiving public funds. Interns may have the opportunity to evaluate the following: fairness of financial statement presentation; the adequacy of internal controls; the efficiency and effectiveness of an entity's operations and systems; and compliance with laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements.

Our summer internship program is designed to be both professionally and academically beneficial. Interns gain hands‑on experience while participating in meaningful professional development activities such as Business Etiquette Day, a full‑day session focused on professionalism, emotional intelligence, and understanding one’s professional brand, complete with an etiquette lunch led by staff. Interns also enjoy engaging activities like speed networking with full‑time employees, a guided tour of the Tennessee Capitol to explore the state’s history, and weekly cohort check‑ins to foster connection and collaboration. The cohort experience culminates in a final presentation showcasing what interns have learned and contributed during their time with the Office.

Requirements

• Rising juniors, seniors, or enrolled in graduate accounting programs.
• Interested in applying classroom knowledge to governmental auditing.
• Successfully completed at least 6 credit hours of accounting coursework.
• Adaptable.
• Able to think critically.
• Able to work well both individually and as part of a team.
• Willing to learn and grow.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong writing skills.
• Ability to apply classroom knowledge to meaningful audit work.
• Must pass a criminal background check.

Nice To Haves

• Preference will be given to students who have completed intermediate or advanced accounting classes.

Responsibilities

• Examine and review records, reports, financial statements, and management practices for local government entities and other organizations receiving public funds.
• Evaluate the fairness of financial statement presentation.
• Evaluate the adequacy of internal controls.
• Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of an entity's operations and systems.
• Evaluate compliance with laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements.

Benefits

• Paid educational and experiential learning opportunity
• Travel reimbursement for overnight stays and related expenses
• Professional development activities (Business Etiquette Day, speed networking, guided tour of the Tennessee Capitol)
• Weekly cohort check-ins
• Final presentation opportunity

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Associate degree