DCA Develops Governmental Accounting and Financial Management Internship Initiative

• Posted on: 11/6/2023

Division of Local Government Services Hopes to Attract Finance Professionals to Fill Positions in State and Local Governments

TRENTON, NJ – The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is highlighting the Governmental Accounting and Financial Management Internship Initiative that the Division of Local Government Services developed earlier this year to attract qualified finance professionals to fill state and local government positions.

The internship, which is an extension of the Office of the Governor’s Internship Program, was created with the objective of encouraging college students with a major course of study in accounting, business administration, or an equivalent curriculum at accredited colleges or universities to consider careers in state, county, and municipal government.

“We recognize that state agencies and local governmental entities such as municipalities and counties have a real need for talented and motivated accountants and financial managers to prepare budgets and administer taxpayer funds,” said DCA Acting Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “Our Division of Local Government Services developed this internship as a way to introduce college students to finance jobs in the public sector and show them how impactful, interesting, and fulfilling these positions can be.”

Students participating in the internship gain insight into the practical aspects of governmental operations through observing and participating in day-to-day activities, and they receive hourly pay. They also make their academic work more meaningful by applying principles in practice and engaging with professionals in their field of study. In this way, the internship can help students determine if a governmental accounting and/or financial management position is compatible with their personal goals.

Additionally, the internship benefits governmental units throughout the state by providing them with temporary assistance in their finance departments while developing a potential talent pool from which to hire upon graduation.

While the internship schedule may change depending upon the schedule of the students and the governmental entities hosting the students, it is anticipated that the student will spend half of the time with DCA’s Division of Local Government Services participating in activities involving the Division’s oversight and regulatory review of municipal budgets through the Financial Automation Submission Tracking (“FAST”) System; the preparation of budget comments and concerns; and the activities of the Local Finance Board and the Grants Administration Unit. Students will spend the other half of their time in a field assignment with a host organization (county or municipal government). The students observe and participate, where possible, with the completion of the annual financial statement and the preparation of the county or municipal budget, among other assignments.

To participate, students may apply by emailing a cover letter describing why they are interested in a career in governmental accounting and/or financial management along with a current resume with references to dlgs@dca.nj.gov. Students should put the name of the internship program in the email subject line. Applicants can also mail a cover letter and resume to New Jersey Department of Community Affairs – DLGS, 101 South Broad St., P.O. Box 803, Trenton, New Jersey. Candidate suitability will be based on the information submitted and a short virtual interview via Teams may follow.

Since its inception, the internship initiative has attracted students from the Rutgers University Business School (New Brunswick) and The College of New Jersey. The governmental entities that have hosted students include DLGS, the City of New Brunswick, the County of Middlesex, the Borough of Milltown, the Township of Hamilton (Mercer), and the Borough of Somerville.

In addition to local government management and finance, DCA offers a wide range of programs and services, including affordable housing production, fire safety, building safety, community planning and development, disaster recovery and mitigation, historic preservation, and information privacy.

For more information about DCA, visit https://nj.gov/dca/ or follow the Department on social media: