Budget Analyst Intern

We proudly represent the Railroad Operations Mechanical Department, dedicated to the meticulous upkeep of locomotives and coaches that power the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and serve communities across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. With an unwavering commitment to safety, efficiency, and reliability, our skilled team ensures the seamless operation of the lifeline that keeps the wheels of transportation turning, connecting people and places while forging a sustainable and vibrant future for our cherished Commonwealth.

We are currently seeking a dedicated and dynamic intern to join our team as a Budget Analyst Intern. In this role, you will collaborate closely with our Director, Project Managers, and Store Keepers, playing a crucial part in meticulously analyzing budgets for ongoing projects and maintaining a sharp eye on our inventory's financial aspects. Your responsibilities will include tracking expenses, making strategic recommendations for future purchases and requisitions, and ensuring our financial resources are optimized to the fullest extent. This is a fantastic opportunity for a motivated individual to gain hands-on experience in financial management within a dynamic and fast-paced environment, making a meaningful impact on our organization's fiscal success.

Your responsibilities will include:

1. Budget Analysis: Collaborate with our staff to assess project budgets, ensuring accuracy and adherence to financial guidelines and standards.

2. Financial Tracking: Assist in monitoring project expenses and inventory costs, maintaining accurate records, and updating financial databases.

3. Recommendations: Under staff guidance, make well-informed recommendations for cost-saving measures, procurement strategies, and budget adjustments to enhance financial efficiency.

4. Data Analysis: Collect, organize, and analyze financial data to provide insights into project financial performance and inventory management.

5. Reporting: Assist in the preparation of periodic financial reports for management review, summarizing key financial metrics and project budget status.

6. Vendor Communication: Collaborate with suppliers and vendors to gather pricing and procurement information, ensuring cost-effectiveness.

7. Documentation: Maintain organized and detailed financial records, ensuring all transactions and financial activities are accurately documented and accessible.

8. Assistance to Project Managers: Support project managers with financial data needed for decision-making, while helping to ensure projects stay within budget.

9. Inventory Oversight: Work closely with our Store Keeper to monitor inventory levels, conduct regular audits, and make recommendations for inventory management improvements.

10. Process Improvement: Participate in discussions on process improvements, cost control initiatives, and the development of best practices in financial management, always under staff oversight and guidance.

11. Tasks as assigned.

Your responsibilities will also encompass:

1. Min-Max Value Suggestions: Under staff guidance, assess inventory levels and usage patterns to suggest corrections for minimum and maximum inventory values, ensuring optimal stock levels to meet operational needs while minimizing excess.

2. Account Assignment Verification: Work with the team to confirm that inventory items are correctly assigned to the appropriate accounts and cost centers, rectifying any discrepancies as necessary to maintain accurate financial reporting.

3. Inventory Audits: Collaborate with the Store Keeper to conduct routine inventory audits, verifying that physical inventory aligns with the recorded data and identifying any discrepancies that require resolution.

4. Obsolete and Defective Inventory Identification: Assist in the identification and categorization of obsolete, defective, or slow-moving inventory items, supporting recommendations for disposition or utilization to prevent financial losses.

5. Inventory Control Procedures: Participate in the development and refinement of inventory control procedures, ensuring compliance with best practices and industry standards, with guidance and oversight from staff.

By working closely with our staff, you will contribute to the financial health and success of our department, gaining valuable experience in budget analysis and financial management.

We'd love to hear from you if...

- You possess a strong interest in the budget analysis field, particularly in the context of transit and transportation operations, and are eager to understand its intricacies.

- You bring a formal background in technology or computer science that extends beyond the basics, whether through coursework, on-the-job experience, or other related activities, which can be applied to financial analysis and reporting.

- You derive genuine satisfaction from assisting in the utilization of technology to enhance financial management and decision-making, especially for those who may not be as tech-savvy.

- You have a proven record of responsibly handling sensitive financial data, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance.

- You have experience working in part-time or full-time roles that involve financial analysis, budget oversight, or other positions where you've engaged directly with financial matters.

- You are characterized by your meticulous attention to detail, organizational prowess, and the motivation to optimize budgetary processes.

- You are currently a college or graduate school student, poised to leverage your academic knowledge and passion for budget analysis to make a meaningful impact within our team.