Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Intern

Accounting/Finance Phoenix, Arizona


Description

Position at Swift Transportation

Primary Purpose

Gain hands-on FP&A experience within a critical industry that enables nearly every other industry to function. This internship is intentionally designed to provide a bird’s-eye view of the business—how strategy, financial performance, and capital allocation connect—while remaining closely tied to day-to-day operations. The role offers meaningful exposure to forecasting, performance analysis, and operational decision support, building a strong foundation for a career in financial management of a large, public company.

Organizational Summary & Essential Functions

• Work alongside experienced FP&A professionals to analyze financial and operational performance across the business, contributing insights directly to the CFO, VP of Finance, and operations leaders.
• Develop a practical understanding of how financial decisions influence operational execution and how operational activity flows through financial results.
• Assist in maintaining and enhancing forecast models, gaining visibility into how public companies plan and re-plan in dynamic environments.
• Support monthly reporting and variance analysis, connecting results to underlying operational drivers.
• Translate data into clear insights, visuals, and narratives for Finance leaders and business partners.
• Collaborate with Accounting, Business Intelligence, and Operations to understand how data is generated, validated, and ultimately used in decision-making.
• Perform ad hoc analyses that address real business questions impacting cost, service levels, and profitability.

Learning & Development Focus

This role is structured to ensure the intern:
• Builds core FP&A capabilities, including analysis, forecasting, presentation, and financial storytelling to senior leadership.
• Develops a holistic view of the business, not just isolated financial reports.
• Understands how everyday operational decisions roll up into financial performance.
• Gains exposure to a complex, critical industry where Finance plays a central role in performance management and strategy.

Business-Specific Responsibilities

Observe and support how leadership balances short-term execution with long-term financial and strategic objectives.
•Participate in cross-functional discussions, gaining exposure to how Finance partners with the business to influence outcomes.
•Analyze key cost drivers and revenue components that are directly tied to operational activity.
•Track, monitor, and help explain KPIs and performance metrics used by both Finance and Operations.
•Document assumptions, methodologies, and key learnings to promote transparency, consistency, and repeatability.

Education

•Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Analytics, or a related field.
•Junior or Senior standing preferred.

Work Experience

•Prior internship, coursework, or project experience in finance, accounting, analytics, or business is preferred but not required.

Skills and Abilities
•Strong curiosity and desire to understand how businesses operate and how leaders drive improvement.
•Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain financial concepts in plain language.
•Analytical and problem-solving mindset with strong attention to detail.
•Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (formulas, pivot tables, basic modeling).
•Ability to quickly learn financial systems, reporting tools, and operational data sources.
•Foundational understanding of financial statements (income statement, balance sheet, cash flow).

Preferred Qualifications

•Exposure to forecasting, or variance analysis concepts.
•Coursework in managerial accounting.
•Interest in supply chain, logistics, or other operationally critical industries.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement


The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer. The Company does not unlawfully discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, military status, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. The Company also prohibits harassment based on any of these protected categories.