Finance Intern

KIPP Capital Region is a part of a national network of high-performing public Charter Schools committed to creating joyful, academically excellent, and prepared students with the skills, ability, and confidence to pursue their paths to college, career, and beyond. 

Located in both Albany and Troy, NY, KIPP Capital Region serves 2,500+ students in grades K-12 across seven schools.  We believe every individual walks through the doors of schools bearing gifts. Talent. Perspective. Drive. Inspiration. So at KIPP Capital Region, we support every student and educator to see those gifts, then build the skills and confidence they need to thrive. 

We are committed to furthering anti-racism, equity, and racial justice in all our efforts, and expect all of our stakeholders to participate in this work so that we can create a future without limits for our students, together.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Finance Intern provides administrative, operational, and project based support to the Finance Team while gaining hands on experience in school finance and business operations. This role assists with a variety of financial processes, data management activities, reporting functions, and special projects that contribute to the efficient operation of the department. Through this experience, the intern develops a foundational understanding of nonprofit and educational finance practices while contributing to the overall success of KIPP Capital Region's financial operations.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of finance processes, procedures, and departmental initiatives.

• Support the Finance Team with data entry, recordkeeping, financial reporting, and administrative functions to ensure accurate and efficient operations.

• Assist with accounts payable and accounts receivable processes, including invoice tracking, payment processing, reconciliations, and vendor communications.

• Support budget preparation, monitoring, and financial analysis activities by gathering, organizing, and validating financial data.

• Assist with maintaining accurate financial records, files, and supporting documentation in accordance with organizational policies and audit requirements.

• Prepare, review, and update spreadsheets, reports, and financial tracking tools to support departmental operations and decision-making.

• Conduct research and compile information related to financial trends, best practices, grant requirements, and operational efficiencies.

• Assist with month-end, quarter-end, and year-end financial processes, including data collection, reconciliations, and report preparation.

• Support the preparation of financial presentations, dashboards, and materials for leadership meetings and stakeholder communications.

• Maintain confidentiality and ensure the proper handling of sensitive financial and employee information.

• Provide administrative support for finance projects, including scheduling meetings, coordinating logistics, preparing meeting materials, and tracking project deliverables.

• Attend meetings as needed, document key discussions, track action items, and assist with follow-up communications.

• Support the maintenance of finance databases, systems, and records to ensure data accuracy, integrity, and completeness.

• Respond to routine inquiries from employees, vendors, and stakeholders and redirect requests to appropriate Finance Team members when necessary.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support organizational initiatives, audits, compliance activities, and special projects.

• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned in support of the Finance Team and organizational priorities.

KIPP Capital Region

• Perform other duties as outlined by Finance Leadership.
• Committed to furthering anti-racism, equity, and racial justice in all our efforts, and expect all our stakeholders to participate in this work so that we can create a future without limits for our students together.
• Complies with all charter, federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including the NYS Department of Education, Department of Health, and NYS Office of Children and Family Services
• Adheres to organization policies and procedures; promotes and supports mission, vision, and values, including developing and participating in internal surveys and data collection for continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Commitment to anti-racism and equity
• Strong DEI lens with exceptional creative power in leading anti-racist practices
• Thrives in a fast-paced, team-oriented, mission-driven culture
• Demonstrates a growth mindset and a desire to continually improve through feedback
• Strong work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit, and flexibility to accommodate the high level of responsibility, multiple priorities, and rapidly changing environment
• Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams in a rapidly changing environment.  
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule.
• Ability to create and work within an inclusive environment that honors and supports a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives.
• Pass a Criminal Background Check

Education and Experience

• Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university pursuing a degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Public Administration, or a related field.

• Demonstrated interest in finance, accounting, budgeting, business operations, nonprofit management, or educational finance.

• Interest in working in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, and employee well-being.

• Eagerness to learn and contribute to meaningful work that supports students, schools, and organizational success.

• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint, as well as Google Workspace applications (Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive).

• Working knowledge of spreadsheet functions, data analysis, and financial reporting tools is preferred.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling sensitive financial, employee, and organizational information.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact professionally with employees, vendors, and stakeholders.

• Knowledge of general office procedures, including filing, document management, scheduling, customer service, and professional correspondence.

• Ability to work independently, take initiative, solve problems, and collaborate effectively as part of a team.

• Previous internship, work-study, campus leadership, volunteer, or customer service experience is preferred but not required.

• Commitment to KIPP Capital Region's mission and a belief in the power of educational equity and opportunity for all students.

• Prior experience working in schools and urban communities is preferred but not required.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule outside of regular business hours.
• Aptitude to create and work within an inclusive environment that honors and supports a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Prolonged periods were spent sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to access and navigate all areas of the school and other facilities as needed.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee needs to read, write, and speak English fluently.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use fingers to type, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance; stoop/bend and reach, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk, hear.
• Dexterity requires writing and operating standard office machines such as computers, printers, copiers, fax machines, phones, and calculators.
• Ability to occasionally lift and move up to 20 pounds.

Additional Information

When you join KIPP Capital Region, you are joining in on our promise to families that their children will enter college and the professional world able to thrive academically due to their literacy, numeracy, and core knowledge in science and social studies. We also promise that our students will develop a passion for learning and the drive necessary to persevere as they climb the mountain to and through college and career. Our graduates will be prepared to return to their community as teachers, leaders, and architects of continued growth in the Capital Region. And while the biggest perk to working at KIPP Capital Region is doing work that makes a lifelong difference in the lives of our students, you'll find that's not the only benefit we offer:

• Hands-on experience in a professional finance environment supporting a mission-driven educational organization.

•  Exposure to key finance functions, including budgeting, financial reporting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciliations, and fiscal operations.

•  Opportunity to strengthen analytical, financial, organizational, and problem-solving skills through meaningful project work and day-to-day responsibilities.

•  Practical experience working with financial systems, spreadsheets, reporting tools, and business processes used in nonprofit and educational finance.

•  Mentorship, coaching, and professional development from experienced finance and business professionals.

•  Increased understanding of nonprofit financial management, budgeting practices, compliance requirements, and operational excellence.

•  Opportunities to participate in cross-functional projects and gain exposure to organizational leadership and decision-making processes.

•  Resume-building experience that develops transferable skills applicable to careers in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, and related fields.

•  Potential to receive professional references and networking opportunities upon successful completion of the internship.

•  A collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven work environment focused on learning, growth, and making a meaningful impact for students and communities.

•  Business casual dress code.

• And so much more! For more information on the benefits of joining KIPP Capital Region, please view our Employee Benefits Summary.

Learn More:
KIPP Capital Region offers a competitive pay at $18.00 hourly for this non-exempt role.

All staff and educators at KIPP Capital Region are committed to anti-racism and inclusion, are part of a close-knit diverse community, and are encouraged to show up authentically, inspiring our children to do the same. Learn more about what it’s like to work at KIPP Capital Region: kippcapital.org/join-our-team/ 

This role is located at KIPP Capital Region schools in Albany & Troy, NY.