Accountant, Financial Reporting, Accounting Manager

Position: Accountant I

Accountant I

The Accountant I supports the agency’s fiscal integrity by preparing, reviewing, and maintaining accurate accounting records and financial reports in compliance with GAAP, state fiscal policies, and applicable regulations, while providing fiscal analysis and accounting guidance to management and program staff. The role supports accounts payable and receivable functions, inventory and property control, and travel compliance, and works collaboratively with internal departments and state partners, including the Illinois Office of the Comptroller and the Higher Education Travel Control Board, to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant financial operations that support agency programs and objectives.

Duties/Responsibilities

Accounting and Financial Reporting

• Prepare, review, and analyze accounting entries and financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and state fiscal policies.
• Perform account reconciliations between agency records and the Illinois Office of the Comptroller to ensure data accuracy and resolve discrepancies.
• Develop and maintain complex financial spreadsheets and tracking systems for reporting and audit purposes.
• Prepare accounting documents and financial reports required by the Illinois Office of the Comptroller, including the monthly Debt Transparency Act report.
• Provide fiscal analysis and professional accounting guidance to management and program staff.

Accounts Payable and Receivable

• Review and approve vouchers, receipts, and deposits to ensure proper account coding and compliance with the Statewide Accounting Management System (SAMS) and System Application and Products (SAP) financial systems.
• Evaluate supporting documentation for completeness and accuracy prior to submission.
• Identify and correct accounting or reporting errors through research and reconciliation.

Inventory and Property Control

• Serve as the agency’s designated Property Control Officer or backup, overseeing the maintenance and verification of inventory records.
• Review and analyze inventory reports for accuracy and compliance with state property management requirements.

Travel Policy

• Serve as the agency’s representative or backup for the Higher Education Travel Control Board.
• Review travel vouchers to ensure compliance with applicable state travel regulations.

Other Responsibilities

• Serve as a liaison between internal departments, state agencies, and external partners to promote effective communication, collaboration, and alignment with organizational goals.
• Maintain hard copy files for all financial transactions to ensure organized and accessible recordkeeping.
• Perform other duties as assigned, which may include cross‑training in other fiscal areas to ensure coverage and operational continuity.

Minimum Qualifications

• Any one or any combination of the following, totaling three (3) years (36 months) from the categories below:
  • Work experience and/or training in accounting or a closely related field
  • College coursework and/or training in accounting or a closely related field (including 12 semester hours in accounting)
    • 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
    • Associate’s degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
    • 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
    • Bachelor’s Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)

Additional Desirable Qualifications

• Knowledge of the Statewide Accounting Management System (SAMS), SAP financial systems, or similar enterprise financial systems.
• Knowledge of reviewing vouchers, receipts, travel reimbursements, and financial documentation for accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Skill in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail.
• Ability to analyze and solve work‑related problems.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
• Ability to work successfully as a member of a team and independently with moderate supervision.

Optional Applicant Documents

• Transcripts
• DD‑214 – To be eligible for Veteran’s Preference points on the exam, appropriate military service documentation such as a DD‑214 must be submitted prior to the Final date to receive applications.

Important Information for…