Accounting Policy Intern

Job Description

Internship – Accounting Policy | Security Benefit

The Tone:
This is an internship at Security Benefit, located remotely or in Topeka or Overland Park, Kansas. The company is a leader in the U.S. retirement market with over $60 billion in assets under management, recognized as one of the best in the business by Ward’s 50 and Ingram’s Top 100. This role is an integral part of a collaborative, agile team, providing hands-on experience in technical accounting. The intern will directly contribute to how the team uses AI tools to manage complex financial transactions and adapt to new accounting standards, shaping the future of the function.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Type: Flexible / Ongoing (10-20 hours/week, flexible up during breaks/summer, across multiple semesters)
• Location: Hybrid, Topeka, KS; Overland Park, KS; Remote

• Team: Reports to the Accounting Policy Director
• Mission: Determines the correct accounting treatment for Security Benefit’s most complex, new, or unusual transactions and applies new accounting standards to the company.
• Tech Stack: AI tools and agents (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot), Microsoft Word, Excel

What You’ll Actually Do
• AI Tools: Use AI tools and agents to build and organize a technical accounting knowledge repository, capturing research, precedent, and accounting positions.
• Research: Support research on real transactions to gain exposure to emerging U.S. GAAP and Statutory accounting guidance (FASB, NAIC).
• Regulatory Support: Assist with maintaining and enhancing regulatory tracking tools and summaries for internal stakeholders.
• Project Support: Provide support on Principles-Based Bond Definition (PBBD) initiatives, including documentation of decision frameworks and onboarding considerations.
• Process Streamlining: Help document and streamline Accounting Policy processes and procedures, including how the team uses AI tools day to day.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program in accounting, finance, or a related field, with a genuine interest in technical accounting.
• Experience: No prior technical accounting coursework or work experience is required; willingness to work and learn in multiple financial systems.
• Skills: Strong problem-solving and analytical skills; effective communication skills (verbal and written); excellent time management skills and the ability to work independently with guidance; comfortable learning new software quickly.
• Bonus: Curiosity about AI tools and agents (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot) and interest in applying them to real business and research problems; proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.