Accounting Officer - Electrical and Computer Engineering

Accounting Officer - Electrical and Computer Engineering

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign.

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) in The Grainger College of Engineering seeks applicants for an Accounting Officer position. Under direction of the Business Manager, this position performs complex business and financial duties in support of the faculty, staff, and students within the Department.

• Process procurement requests submitted through the my.
  
  ECE portal using a University Purchase Card, wire transfer payments, iBuy, and the Emburse Enterprise software system.
• Confirm with ECE colleagues on allowability for specific funds if needed.
• Ensure accurate account codes are used to classify expenditures.
• Reconcile discrepancies by tracing transactions, checking sources of disagreement, reconstructing probable actions, and recognizing the effect on other accounts; prepares correction documents as required.
• Review invoices and statements, verifying information, ensuring funds are available on Purchase Orders, and, if questionable, resolve with the submitting unit, determining accounts involved, coding transactions, and/or increasing Purchase Order as applicable; answer inquiries and provide information concerning invoices, outstanding balances, and/or payments.
• Work with University Payables to close, cancel, and/or replace purchase orders including non‑conforming purchase orders.
• Perform complex coding where judgment, based on advanced knowledge, must be applied and/or serve as a resource for other staff.
• Research and prepare stop payments.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of departmental and University regulations, procedures, practices, and policies.
• Interpret and/or compose correspondence.
• Answer inquiries and provide information concerning invoices, outstanding balances, and/or payments.
• Review all departmental procurement and reimbursement requests and financial statements for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to departmental and University policies. Consult with supervisor and Assistant Head for Administration as needed on policy matters.
• Serve as backup to other administrative staff for business and financial duties as needed.
• Establish and maintain complex and confidential electronic filing systems.
• Perform additional appropriate business/financial duties to further the mission of the department.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Any one or combination totaling two (2) years (24 months) from the categories below:
  • Course work in accounting, as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
    • 9 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
  • Course work in any discipline as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
    • 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
    • Associate's Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen (18) months
    • 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
  • Work experience in bookkeeping, office support, or closely related experience.

• Knowledge above the rudimentary understanding of bookkeeping practices and procedures and accepted accounting principles.
• Knowledge of University and departmental business and finance policies, rules, and regulations.
• Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as Microsoft Word, Excel, managing files and records, and other office procedures.
• Active listening and critical thinking skills.
• Organizational and time management skills and the ability to prioritize tasks.
• Ability to communicate effectively as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Ability to compare numbers and detect errors efficiently.
• Ability to compile complex financial records and prepare routine financial reports or statements.
• Ability to take initiative and complete tasks with speed and accuracy.
• Ability to work independently and exercise judgment.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality in performing the duties associated with this position.

This is a full‑time Civil Service Accounting…