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2027 Summer Corporate Intern - Accounting

Caterpillar · Peoria, IL · $22.50–$40.25 an hour · Full time

Posted Sep 1, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you found an error in your own work after you turned it in.

What they are checking: Whether they speak up about mistakes quickly, which matters a lot in monthly reporting.

Tell me about a group project where someone was not doing their share. How did you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they can address team problems directly and fairly without drama.

Why are you interested in accounting at a manufacturer instead of a public accounting firm?

What they are checking: Whether they understand how corporate accounting differs and have a real reason for choosing it.

What would you do

You are asked to help with month-end close and the deadline is tomorrow, but the numbers do not tie out. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they escalate early and investigate rather than forcing numbers to balance.

Interns here do the same work as entry-level accountants. How would you get up to speed quickly?

What they are checking: Whether they have a realistic plan to learn fast and ask good questions in a corporate setting.

About the work

Walk me through how a transaction flows from a journal entry to the financial statements.

What they are checking: Whether they understand the basics of the accounting cycle well enough to do entry-level work.

What is the difference between financial accounting and cost accounting, and which interests you more?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the areas this program rotates through and have a sense of their own interests.

How would you explain a variance between budget and actual results to a manager?

What they are checking: Whether they can find the drivers behind a number instead of just reporting the difference.

How strong are you in Excel? Tell me about the most complex spreadsheet you have built.

What they are checking: Whether they have practical spreadsheet skills that forecasting and analysis work requires.

What do you know about tax compliance for a company that operates in many countries?

What they are checking: Whether they have basic awareness of how global operations make tax work more complex.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Caterpillar.

Career Area: Students and Graduates Job Description: Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc. When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it. Internship Program Details: During the Corporate Accounting Internship Program, you will have the opportunity to gain valuable on-the-job experience and contribute to real-world projects in one or more of the following areas including Financial Accounting, Cost Accounting, Tax Accounting, Global Tax, Financial Systems, Auditing, and Research & Development Accounting. As an accounting intern, you will perform the same tasks as our entry-level accountants including budgeting, forecasting, monthly reporting, tax compliance, analysis, and other special projects. Session Dates: Summer 2027: 5/17/2027 - 8/06/2027 This is a 40-hour-per-week onsite work assignment, Monday through Friday, lasting 12 weeks in the summer. What you will get: Besides exciting work, Corporate Interns will experience: • Comprehensive internship orientation • Travel Reimbursement • Tours of state-of-the-art manufacturing and research facilities • Product Demonstrations • Various social events • Networking with leadership • Intern round table discussions • Business skill building • Career discussion with leaders and experts • Resume and Interview workshop • Paid holidays • And more! Thousands of Caterpillar employees come to work every day. While they perform their daily tasks, they’re contributing to the work of a powerful global team. At Caterpillar, we know that innovation happens step-by-step, piece-by-piece, person-by-person. Everyone has a vital role to play in our organization. Modest, small projects can grow and evolve into groundbreaking, world-changing technologies, machines, services, and more through collaboration and teamwork in a diverse and inclusive work environment. Caterpillar couldn’t be the company it is today without the men and women who shape it by producing their best work. What You Will Do: • Creating reports on financial performance for internal and external use. • Take part in special projects and ad hoc reporting requests. • Estimate various forecast and budget scenarios. • Specifies, builds, maintains, and runs data extracts from various subsystems that contain account-level information. • Produces a daily balance sheet to assist the trading desk. • Posting entries, verifying, and reconciling input to financial reporting systems. • Entering transactions and reconciling various reports Internship Program Qualifications : • Must be currently pursuing a degree at a 4-year accredited university/college in an Accounting degree program, at the time of application and throughout the internship program. • Minimum 3.0/4.0 GPA (both Accounting GPA & Cumulative GPA). • 12 completed semester hours at a 4-year university before the start of the internship. • If a transfer student must have 12 semester hours completed at a 4-year university. Top Candidates Will Also Have: • Previous accounting internship and/or relevant work experience. • Completed Intermediate Accounting or first 300-level accounting course by the start of the internship. • Strong initiative, communication, and interpersonal skills. • Leadership involvement in student associations. • Intermediate user of Microsoft Excel. Additional Details: • Locations: Peoria, IL, East Peoria, IL, Mossville, IL, Morton, IL, Mapleton, IL, Seguin, TX, Irving, TX, FT. Worth, TX, Houston, TX, Lafayette, IN, Franklin, IN, and Cary, NC. • Candidates must be willing to relocate if necessary for the duration of the internship, and complete daily work commute using reliable transportation. • Domestic relocation is available for those who qualify. • Candidates must be willing to travel as needed. • Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. • Housing Stipend and Relocation Assistance (if eligible) • 5-day weekly onsite assignment. What You Have - Skills Needed for Success in Role: • Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision. • Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems • Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors. • Managing Multiple Priorities: Knowledge of effective self-management practices; ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments as to prioritizing and time allocation. • Problem Solving: Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations. Final Details: If you are interested in applying for this position, please attach a copy of your resume and an unofficial copy of your transcripts to your application. Also, frequently check the email associated with your application, including the junk/spam folder, as this is the primary correspondence method. If you wish to know the status of your application – please use the candidate log-in on our career website as it will reflect any updates to your status. Summary Pay Range: $22.50 - $40.25 Intern Hourly Rate: An intern's hourly rate is based on the major/degree being pursued and the number of completed academic hours achieved before the start of the internship. Intern Benefits: The total rewards package, beyond base salary, may include if eligible: • Accrued Paid Time Off (PTO) • Paid Holidays • Paid Volunteer Day • Housing Stipend • Relocation Assistance • Medical coverage • Voluntary benefits This position requires working onsite five days a week. Relocation is available for this position. Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. Posting Dates: September 1, 2026 - October 12, 2026 Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen. Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply. Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community .

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