Program Intern, Excise Tax

Company Description

Pilot Company is an industry-leading network of travel centers with more than 30,000 team members and over 750 retail and fueling locations in 44 states and six Canadian provinces. Our energy and logistics division serves as a top supplier of fuel, employing one of the largest tanker fleets and providing critical services to oil operations in our nation's busiest basins. Pilot Company supports a growing portfolio of brands with expertise in supply chain and retail operations, logistics and transportation, technology and digital innovation, construction, maintenance, human resources, finance, sales and marketing.

Founded in 1958 by Jim A. Haslam II and currently led by CEO Adam Wright, our founding values, people-first culture and commitment to giving back remains true to us today. Whether we are serving guests, a fellow team member, or a trucking company, we are dedicated to fueling people and keeping North America moving.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Military encouraged to apply.

Job Description

Are you an ambitious accounting student looking to apply your knowledge in a dynamic corporate environment? Pilot Company is seeking an Excise Tax Intern to join our team in Knoxville, Tennessee, for the summer of 2027. This is a unique opportunity to gain valuable insight into Excise Tax - understand how different federal, state, and local excise taxes impact how fuel moves through the supply chain - from import and pipeline transport to wholesale distribution and final retail sale. 

In this role, you will be an essential member of our Excise Tax team, gaining direct exposure to the complex tax dynamics that drive physical fuel movement across North America. Your primary focus will be supporting our high-volume compliance efforts and driving operational efficiency by auditing, consolidating, and standardizing team tracking tools and file structures. Working side-by-side with experienced professionals who are dedicated to your growth, you will combine hands-on tax experience with impactful workflow optimization—offering a well-rounded foundation for your career in tax. 

What You’ll Do 

• Master Fuel Supply Chain Tax Dynamics: Gain direct exposure to how federal, state, and local excise taxes apply at every stage of physical fuel movement across North America. 

• Support Tax Compliance & Filings: Observe and assist with compiling, reconciling, and preparing high-volume tax returns to ensure accuracy and timely submission to government authorities. 

• Learn from the best: You'll be mentored by our staff, providing you with hands-on training and real-world experience. 

• Drive Workflow Standardization: Resolve operational bottlenecks by auditing daily tracking tools and file management systems—consolidating 10–15 active team trackers and creating clear, standardized folder structures to improve team efficiency. 

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For 

• Education: Currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in accounting. A master's concentration in tax is a plus. 

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Excel is essential. Experience with Alteryx or SQL is a great advantage. 

• Soft Skills: Strong collaborative skills with the confidence to reach out across teams, ask timely questions, and clarify requirements to ensure project momentum. 

• Qualities: A desire to learn and an eagerness to contribute to a collaborative environment. We value individuals who are driven, reliable, authentic, and welcoming. 

Additional Information

Why Pilot Company? 

Our culture is built on four core virtues: Driven, Reliable, Authentic, and Welcoming. As an intern, you will see these values in action every day. You'll be part of a team that is driven to meet deadlines, reliable in its commitment to accuracy, authentic in its interactions, and welcoming to new ideas and perspectives. 

This is a full-time, in-person internship running from June 7 – August 13, 2027.  You’ll be working alongside our team in our Knoxville headquarters, where you’ll have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships and experience the full scope of life at Pilot Company. 

How to Apply 

If you're ready to take on a challenging and rewarding internship with a leading company, please submit your application. The interview process will include a screening with a recruiter, a 30-minute virtual interview with 2 of our senior accountants, followed by a potential final round interview with the Excise Tax leader. We look forward to hearing from you!