Staff Accountant-Intern

Summary

BetterLife is looking for a motivated Accounting major to join as a Staff Accountant Intern. The role provides hands-on experience supporting statutory accounting close cycles, Annual Statement preparation, account reconciliations, financial examinations, audits, and process improvement initiatives in the insurance industry.

Responsibilities

• Assist with preparation and posting of journal entries during the statutory monthly and quarterly close cycle
• Support preparation of Annual Statement schedules and exhibits (e.g. Schedule D/DA investment schedules, Exhibits of Life Insurance/Benefits)
• Perform account reconciliations as assigned (bank, commission, Securities receivable, Policy) with attention to statutory-specific treatment (admitted vs. nonadmitted assets)
• Assist in tracking and organizing data for premium, benefit, policy loan, and inforce reporting used in statutory filings and reinsurance reporting
• Complete and support documentation of accounting processes under the direction of senior accounting staff
• Help maintain supporting workpapers and documentation for financial examinations and external audit requests (PBC lists), including coordination with actuarial and reinsurance data
• Support special projects, including process improvement initiatives, system implementation, and others as required
• Maintain organized, audit-ready files in accordance with department recordkeeping standards
• Other duties assigned to support the statutory close calendar and departmental priorities

Skills

• Currently pursuing Bachelor's degree in Accounting (Sophomore standing or above preferred)
• Familiarity with general ledger or ERP systems
• Interest in pursuing CPA licensure or an insurance industry career path
• Proficiency in using AI to aid in being more efficient and accurate
• Strong self-starter and quick learner especially in learning new accounting software
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel (formulas, pivot tables; VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP a plus)
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to handle confidential financial information with discretion
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines in a close-cycle environment
• This position can be performed 100% remotely
• This position is performed in an office environment (could be done remotely) and requires prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Individuals must be able to lift 15 pounds at a time
• Prior internship or work experience in accounting, preferred

Qualifications

Must Haves

• Currently pursuing Bachelor's degree in Accounting (Sophomore standing or above preferred)
• Familiarity with general ledger or ERP systems
• Interest in pursuing CPA licensure or an insurance industry career path
• Proficiency in using AI to aid in being more efficient and accurate
• Strong self-starter and quick learner especially in learning new accounting software
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel (formulas, pivot tables; VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP a plus)
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to handle confidential financial information with discretion
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines in a close-cycle environment
• This position can be performed 100% remotely
• This position is performed in an office environment (could be done remotely) and requires prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Individuals must be able to lift 15 pounds at a time

Nice to Haves

• Prior internship or work experience in accounting, preferred

Benefits

• Direct, hands-on exposure to NAIC statutory accounting principles (SSAPs) and Annual Statement preparation — highly specialized knowledge that differentiates candidates in insurance accounting careers
• Experience with real statutory close-cycle deliverables, reconciliations, and financial examination preparation
• Mentorship from experienced statutory accounting professionals
• Insight into the operations of a fraternal benefit society and the regulatory reporting framework unique to the insurance industry
• This position can be performed 100% remotely.