State Universities Retirement System of Illinois
Full job description
Position Vacancy Announcement
Position: SURS is seeking a Senior Accountant to join our team as a resource in the finance department. The responsibilities include preparing, coordinating, and distributing timely and accurate financial, statistical, tax, or qualitative information as needed to SURS employees, external auditors, members, vendors, other designated agencies of the State of Illinois or the U.S. Government, or other persons to ensure SURS remains compliant with relevant laws and regulations. This position reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer.
Position: Senior Accountant
Position Type: Full-time | Based in Champaign, IL
Civil Service Classification: Accountant III
Main Duties
- Assist in ensuring efficient and accurate execution of all general accounting functions.
- Lead the month-end and fiscal year-end close process including journal entry preparation and review.
- Perform general ledger analysis/review, including the quarterly actual vs. budget analysis for the Board of Trustee meeting materials.
- Support the development and editing of the annual financial report.
- Prepare and provide documentation, explanations and support for external and internal audit requests.
- Approve accounts payable processing while enforcing procurement requirements; send ACH and positive pay files to bank weekly.
- Prepare and/or review general ledger account reconciliations, ensuring accuracy and completeness of the financial data.
- Assist in preparing, monitoring, and updating the annual budget.
- Understand the tax payment process; review the daily tax processing.
- Assist in the administrator role for the accounting software (Sage Intacct).
- Complete and/or review quarterly and annual compliance reports.
- Assist in assuring compliance with internal controls and procedures throughout the company. Support the finance team and team initiatives for improvements.
- Other finance duties or projects as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree with a major in accountancy (or equivalent course work).
- A total of four (4) years (48 months) of progressively responsible experience in professional level accounting work consistent with the next lower level of this series.
An advanced degree in accountancy or registration as a Certified Public Accountant may be substituted for one year of professional experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
- Ability to research complex accounting and financial reporting matters.
- Strong problem-solving skills, a curiosity of how systems/processes work, and a desire to improve systems/processes when appropriate.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including comfort with analyzing and manipulating large data sets.
- Ability to learn new computer systems quickly.
- Experience working with internal and external auditors.
- Self-driven with the ability to work independently as needed.
- Strong time management skills with a deadline-oriented focus.
- Ability to work in a continuously changing environment with numerous filing deadlines.
- Excellent verbal, analytical, organizational, and written skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Certified Public Accountant designation is a plus.
- Strong knowledge of GAAP accounting.
- GASB experience is a plus.
Position Information
This is a full-time position is based in Champaign, IL. During the initial 12-month training period, fully in-office workdays may be required. After successful completion of the initial training period, this position may transition to a hybrid role. The starting salary range for this position is $66,337 to $80,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.
Benefits
- Insurance benefits, including medical, vision and dental
- Participation in SURS retirement plan
- Paid vacation, sick leave and 11 paid holidays
- Paid Parental Leave after six months of employment
- Casual/business casual attire (dependent on job duties)
- Flexible work environment
- Free parking
- 37.5-hour standard work week
- Find more details regarding the benefits SURS offers at: SURS Employee Benefits – SURS
Application Process
To apply for this position, please click the apply button at the top of this job posting. Please fill out the online application and attach a copy of your resume and cover letter.
About SURS
SURS is the administrator of a cost-sharing, multiple-employer, public employee retirement system that provides retirement, survivor, disability and death benefits to employees of Illinois state universities, community colleges, and certain other affiliated organizations and agencies. SURS was created in 1941, by an act of the Illinois General Assembly, and is governed by the Illinois Pension Code (40 ILCS 5/15-101 et seq.). SURS provides benefit services to over 255,000 members who work for 61 employers. SURS is responsible for investing assets in a diversified portfolio of U.S. and foreign stocks, bonds, real estate and alternative investments. SURS maintains a defined benefit plan, which on June 30, 2024, had assets valued at approximately $24.3 billion. SURS also administers two defined contribution plans, the Retirement Savings Plan, which on June 30, 2024, had assets of approximately $4.3 billion and the Deferred Compensation Plan, which had assets of approximately $67.4 million. Northern Trust serves as SURS’ master trustee custodian.
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