Accounting Assistant - InternAt — Tom Ponton Industries, Inc.

Position Overview:
This is a part-time internship role ideal for individuals looking to gain hands-on experience in accounting and finance. The Accounting Assistant – Intern will provide vital support to our accounting team, particularly in accounts receivable, cash reconciliation, inventory controls, and order processing functions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in accounts receivable (AR) and payment collection processes.
• Support payments and daily cash reconciliation activities.
• Monitor and route incoming accounting tasks and tickets to appropriate team members.
• Assist with inventory management and control tasks, including preparing and posting appropriate journal entries.
• Perform sales order accuracy checks and make necessary corrections or adjustments.
• Support the invoicing process for customer orders.
• Provide assistance to the Ponton Controller with additional accounting functions and projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and basic accounting software.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Self-starter with a willingness to learn and contribute to team goals.

Tasks:

The Accounting Assistant - Intern will perform a variety of professional and pre-professional duties designed to provide hands-on experience in corporate accounting and facilitate the achievement of stated learning outcomes. At least 80% of these duties will involve complex problem-solving, analytical thinking, and application of accounting principles.

Training:

• Initial General Employer Orientation (Mandatory): A comprehensive introduction to Ponton's mission, values, organizational structure, key departments, and workplace policies, including IT security and data privacy. This will also cover an overview of the accounting department's role within the company.
• System and Software Training:
Hands-on training on key accounting software and ERP systems, specifically Zoho CRM (Sales Order module) and RPMS, covering data entry, navigation, report generation, and data accuracy protocols.
Introduction to Microsoft Excel for accounting purposes, including essential functions for reconciliation and data analysis.
• Task-Specific Instruction and Contextualization:
Detailed walkthroughs and one-on-one instruction for each assigned task, including accounts receivable processes, cash reconciliation, inventory management procedures, journal entry creation, and sales order accuracy checks.
Contextualization of tasks: Each task will be explained in relation to its impact on financial statements, internal controls, and overall business operations, helping the intern understand the 'why' behind the 'what.'
• Dedicated Mentorship and Feedback:
Weekly scheduled one-on-one mentor meetings with the Ponton Controller to discuss progress, review assigned tasks, address challenges, provide constructive feedback, and guide the intern's learning trajectory.
Ongoing informal feedback provided by various team members during daily activities, fostering continuous improvement.
• Job Shadowing and Observation:
Opportunities to job shadow experienced Ponton Controller to observe practical application of accounting principles and gain insight into various roles within the department.
• Documentation and Resources:
Access to relevant internal SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), training manuals, and work samples to serve as references and guides for assigned duties.
Literature reviews: Where appropriate, the intern will be guided to relevant accounting best practices or regulatory guidelines pertinent to their tasks.
• Team Collaboration and Routing:
Specific training on the internal system for monitoring and routing accounting tasks/tickets, ensuring efficient workflow management and cross-functional communication.

Learning Outcomes:

• Apply fundamental accounting principles to real-world financial processes, including accounts receivable, cash reconciliation, and inventory management, demonstrating an understanding of transactional workflows.
• Utilize Accounting Information Systems(AIS) used by the company to accurately input, retrieve, and reconcile financial data, ensuring data integrity and adherence to established protocols.
• Perform critical quality control checks on sales orders and accounting entries, identifying discrepancies and implementing necessary adjustments to maintain data accuracy and support financial reporting.
• Communicate effectively within a professional accounting environment, including routing tasks, collaborating with team members on financial processes, and reporting findings to supervisory staff.
• Contribute to the efficiency of accounting operations by assisting with routine tasks and demonstrating an understanding of how individual responsibilities impact overall departmental goals and internal controls