State Universities Retirement System of Illinois
Accountant III
State Universities Retirement System of Illinois, Champaign, IL, United States
Position Vacancy Announcement
Position: Operate as a resource to SURS and the SURS finance department. The responsibilities involve 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 remain compliant with relevant laws and regulations. This position reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer.
Position: Accountant III
Position Type: Full-time | Based in Champaign, IL
Civil Service Classification: Accountant III
Main Duties
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
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 $72,971. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the full range for a position. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.
Benefits
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.
Position: Operate as a resource to SURS and the SURS finance department. The responsibilities involve 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 remain compliant with relevant laws and regulations. This position reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer.
Position: Accountant III
Position Type: Full-time | Based in Champaign, IL
Civil Service Classification: Accountant III
Main Duties
- Financial accounting, reporting and analysis:
- Prepare the monthly Defined Benefit Plan (DB) and/or Defined Contribution Plan (DC) financial statements and underlying journal entries.
- Prepare the annual DB and DC financial statements and the underlying journal entries.
- Perform general ledger analysis/review, including actual vs. budget analysis for the Board of Trustee meeting materials.
- Support the development and editing of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report; provide documentation 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 account reconciliations.
- Assist in preparing, monitoring, and updating the annual budget.
- Understand tax payment process; review daily processing.
- Submit and track appropriation and buyout program vouchers; send monthly summary.
- Compliance:
- Review fixed asset (C-15) and Accounts Receivable (C-97, 98, 99) compliance reports before submission.
- Complete the Locally Held Funds compliance report (C-17).
- Assist with other compliance reports as needed.
- Miscellaneous:
- Other finance duties or projects as assigned.
- Support the finance team and team initiatives for improvements.
- 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.
- Certified Public Accountant designation is a plus.
- Strong knowledge of GAAP accounting.
- GASB experience is a plus.
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 $72,971. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the full range for a position. 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.