Top 15 Finance Internship Skills (2024)

15 finance internship skills for your resume and career

1. Risk Management

Risk management is the practice of identifying, assessing, and controlling financial risks. Finance internships use risk management in various ways, such as analyzing financial records, creating investment portfolios, and developing comprehensive personal and corporate risk management plans. They also assist in implementing new risk management control programs and evaluate the core business of Risk Management Units. They help clients optimize financial controls to maximize risk management and recommend strategies for risk management and wealth accumulation.

Here's how finance interns use risk management:

Received extensive training in capital markets, asset management, corporate finance, risk management, retirement management and financial planning.
Gathered information, and prepared recommendations for risk management, wealth accumulation, and preservation and distribution of assets.

2. Internal Audit

Internal audit is a process that evaluates the effectiveness of an organization's internal controls and financial reporting. Finance internships use internal audit to identify risks of material misstatements, document the effectiveness of internal controls, and review financial statements for accuracy. They also assist in preparing financial documents, gathering supporting data, and conducting audits to ensure compliance. For example, they may analyze general ledger accounts, reprogram functions for payroll, and organize cash disbursem*nt forms for internal audits. Internal audit helps finance internships ensure that financial statements are accurate and that internal controls are effective, helping to prevent errors or fraud.

Here's how finance interns use internal audit:

Assisted the internal auditors with identifying risks of material misstatements and documenting the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting.
Created universal template for all financial statements, eliminating inconsistencies among historical financial documents and halving internal audit procedures.

3. Power Bi

Power BI is a business analytics service that helps create data visualizations. Finance interns use Power BI to build interactive dashboards that make it easier to understand and analyze data. They use SQL queries to create dynamic and visual dashboards in Power BI, Tableau, SQL Server, and Access.

Here's how finance interns use power bi:

Created dynamic and visual dashboards through SQL queries in Access, Power BI, SQL Server, and Tableau.
Created dashboards using Tableau, Power BI, and Excel.

4. Math

Math is a field of study that deals with calculations, numbers, and shapes. Finance interns use math to analyze and create models of the stock market. They also use math to contribute to the fundamental algorithm of a firm.

Here's how finance interns use math:

Major seller of educational curriculum's for reading, math, science and other basic educational skills.
Created, analyzed and implemented math models of the stock market, contributing to the firm's fundamental algorithm.

5. First Hand

First-hand experience is direct and personal experience with a specific situation or activity. Finance interns use first-hand experience to gain familiarity with company operations and make informed decisions. They work directly with executives like First Vice Presidents of Investments to make investment decisions.

Here's how finance interns use first hand:

6. Data Analysis

Data analysis is the process of examining data to draw conclusions and identify patterns. Finance interns use data analysis to make predictions and help inform management decisions. They use tools such as Equity Screen and Excel to analyze data and provide insights on product profitability, unclaimed property, and more. As Dr. Larry Belcher, Dean and Professor of Finance at the University of Indianapolis, puts it, "The ability to set oneself apart from other candidates means a better shot at a high paying job. Significant experiences like internships or study abroad, technical skills (Excel, Bloomberg, data analysis), and the aforementioned ability to adapt and react mean more value added to an employer."

Here's how finance interns use data analysis:

Produced security investment recommendations, used analyst ratings for future predictions, provided data analysis using Equity Screen and Excel.
Performed data analysis and prepared monthly portfolio performance reports for distribution to the company's lenders and investors.

Choose from 10+ customizable finance internship resume templates

Build a professional finance internship resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your finance internship resume.

7. Financial Planning Analysis

Financial planning analysis is the process of analyzing an organization's financial activities and making strategic decisions to improve its financial health. Finance internships use financial planning analysis to evaluate industry competitors, forecast revenue, and perform reporting activities. They work closely with different teams to gather data, analyze financial trends, and develop financial insights that improve the organization's financial planning.

Here's how finance interns use financial planning analysis:

Provided competitive/strategic financial planning analysis vs. industry competitors from a cost perspective in revenue forecasting.
Worked closely with teams to perform financial planning analysis and reporting activities.

8. Financial Analysis

Financial analysis is the process of evaluating a business's financial performance and position. Finance interns use financial analysis by supporting corporate-level financial analysis activities, conducting financial analysis on company-wide expenditures, and providing clients with a comprehensive financial analysis of their current financial condition. They also audit financial and operational data, conduct industry research, and participate in investment review processes. They use financial analysis tools to organize and predict future financial positions, and support recommendations with financial analysis and market data.

Here's how finance interns use financial analysis:

Supported corporate-level financial analysis activities.
Performed financial analysis on company-wide expenditures of about $500K and presented recommendations to management to plan for operation expansion.

9. Strong Analytical

Strong analytical skills are the ability to analyze data and information to identify patterns, relationships, and trends. Finance interns use these skills to prepare financial reports, balance sheets, and income statements. They also use them to solve problems and identify solutions. For example, a finance intern might use strong analytical skills to prepare a weekly cash management model or a long-term financial forecast. They might also use these skills to identify and resolve problems by taking initiative and using innovative approaches.

Here's how finance interns use strong analytical:

Proof read and research marketing material using strong analytical skills.
Required strong analytical and problem solving skills.

10. Reconciliations

Reconciliations refer to comparing and adjusting financial records to ensure they match and are accurate. Finance internships use reconciliations in various ways, such as compiling capital vendor lists, analyzing bank reconciliations, processing goods receipt/invoice reports, and generating company codes. They also prepare and maintain assignments, including preparation of schedules, summaries, and reconciliations. Additionally, they conduct monthly bank reconciliations, assist in the preparation of monthly supporting schedules, and perform currency conversions on international transactions to perform reconciliations. They also create monthly reports, including Profit and Loss statements and Bank reconciliations using Microsoft Excel.

11. Journal Entries

Journal entries are a record of financial transactions. Finance internships use journal entries in various ways, such as reimbursing various departments, preparing accounts receivable and payable, balancing trial balance, and researching and resolving general ledger discrepancies. They also use journal entries to prepare month-end financial reports, reconcile payment discrepancies, and support documentation. For example, they may record journal entries for regular business activities, prepare standard journal entries for monthly closing, and follow up on any outstanding items at the end of the month.

Here's how finance interns use journal entries:

Processed reimbursem*nt for various departments: re-calculated reimbursem*nt numbers, checked reimbursem*nt limits and booked authorized amounts in journal entries.
Assisted management in budget preparation Completed accounts receivable and payable efforts Balanced trial balance generate journal entries

12. Litigation

Litigation is a legal process used to settle disputes between parties. Finance internships use litigation to handle class action lawsuits, draft legal documents, and provide valuation services. They also review agent compensation terms to prevent potential breaches of contract and work on mock trials to prepare for complex securities cases. For example, one finance intern drafted dozens of leases, orders of surrender, and class action lawsuit and litigation reports.

Here's how finance interns use litigation:

Completed litigation paperwork on class action lawsuits.
Drafted dozens of leases, orders of surrender, and class action lawsuit and litigation reports.

13. Financial Services

Financial services refer to the services provided by the finance industry to help individuals, businesses, and organizations manage their financial affairs. Finance interns use financial services in various ways. They might assist clients in achieving financial security by providing a variety of financial services, such as personal value-added service and consulting. They might also help clients with financial and asset management. In some cases, they might recruit students and post-graduates to internship programs and financial services representative positions.

Here's how finance interns use financial services:

Provided professional financial services to clients, including financial and asset management, personal value-added service and consulting service.
Provided financial services through insurance and investments by using information technology to achieve financial security for clients.

14. Financial Data

Financial data is the information and records related to a company's financial activities. Finance interns use financial data to analyze and interpret account records, reconcile reports, and help senior management determine annual business strategy. They may also collect and analyze financial data from competitors to establish valuations and evaluate budget decisions. For instance, they may use financial data to research and analyze a competitive environment, organize and manage financial data, and help with document retention.

Here's how finance interns use financial data:

Analyzed, examined and interpreted account records, complied financial information and reconciled reports and financial data.
Researched and collected relevant financial data for over 200 hardware based start-up companies for industry comparison.

15. Financial Models

Financial models are methods used to predict future financial performance. Finance internships use financial models to analyze the stock market, prepare monthly forecasts and annual budgets, and support key financial decisions. They also use these models for research, development, and trend analysis, and to evaluate business unit performance. They use these models to improve profit margins and assist in external negotiations. For example, they may use financial models to project the feasibility of new site locations.

Here's how finance interns use financial models:

Analyzed stock market by extensive use of technical and fundamental analysis and financial models, provided advisory information to the customers.
Created financial models and performed analysis for business leaders and finance management to enhance monthly and quarterly budget accuracy and efficiency.

12 Finance Internship Resume Examples

Build a professional finance internship resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 12+ resume templates to create your finance internship resume.

Create My Resume

Build a professional resume in minutes using this template.

What skills help Finance Interns find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.