Department Chair; College of Business – Department of Accounting

General Summary

Illinois State University invites applications for the 12-month position of Chairperson of the Department of Accounting. The Chairperson is the spokesperson for a dynamic and diverse faculty, works with an advisory board of business professionals, recruits students and faculty, teaches courses, and manages department resources, including friend- and fund-raising.

The Department of Accounting is one of four departments in the College of Business at Illinois State University and offers nationally recognized educational programs in Accounting and Business Information Systems. The department offers a B.S. in Accountancy, a B.S. in Business Information Systems, an M.S. in Accountancy, and a combined five-year Bachelor of Science / Master of Professional Accountancy. The department enrolls approximately 700 undergraduate and graduate students (fall 2022). Based on the most recent data available, 74.5% of first-time candidates with advanced degrees from Illinois State University passed the CPA Exam on the first attempt.

The Chairperson supports a culture that values shared governance, inclusion, and a balance between effective instruction and scholarly research. The Department of Accounting currently includes 32 tenured/tenure-track faculty, instructional assistant professors, and staff. The department enjoys strong relationships with loyal and supportive alums, along with the Big 4, regional public accounting firms, and local Fortune 100 firms, among others.

The Department of Accounting and the College of Business are committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community. ISU recognizes that a diverse faculty, staff, and student body enriches the educational experiences of the entire campus and greater community. Candidates who have experience working with a diverse range of faculty, staff, and students, and who can contribute to the climate of inclusivity are especially welcome to apply.

Additional Information

The College of Business at Illinois State University is one of only 189 schools that are AACSB accredited in both business and accounting. In 2022-23, the college enrolled approximately 3,600 undergraduates and 210 master’s degree students.

Illinois State University, http://www.illinoisstate.edu, founded in 1857, is the oldest public university in Illinois. There are approximately 21,000 students in the six colleges of Illinois State University. In our most recent strategic plan Educate ∙ Connect ∙ Elevate, we have committed our resources to realizing seven core values: Learning and Scholarship, Diversity and Inclusion, Respect, Collaboration, Individualized Attention, Civic Engagement, and Integrity. By acting on these values, we create a learning environment that results in our University being the first-choice public university in Illinois for high-achieving, motivated students who seek an individualized educational experience combined with the resources of a large university. Also, visit the University’s metrics of excellence at (http://illinoisstate.edu/pointsofpride/).

Bloomington-Normal Community: Illinois State University is located in the growing twin cities of Bloomington and Normal, with a metro population of approximately 172,000. The community is also home to Illinois Wesleyan University, Heartland Community College, St. Joseph Medical Center, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, COUNTRY Financial, State Farm Insurance’s International Headquarters, Central Illinois Regional Airport, and electric truck manufacturer Rivian Motors. The community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems and its citizens’ high level of educational attainment, as well as its parks and recreation, health care, vibrant fine arts scene, job growth, economic opportunity, historic sites, and low crime rates. SmartAsset ranked Bloomington IL, in the top 20 of the most livable cities in the U.S. (2022). Zippia named Bloomington, IL, as #1 on their “Happiest Cities” list (2020), and Best Choice Schools listed the area on its “30 Small College Towns with Great Quality of Life” (2020). Bloomington-Normal is conveniently located about three hours from Indianapolis, two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis, and an hour from Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, and Springfield; many of these locations are accessible from Bloomington-Normal via the Amtrak located 1 block from ISU’s campus. For more information on our community, please visit (http://visitbn.org/).

Required Qualifications

Required qualifications include:
(1) An earned doctorate in Accounting or Business Information Systems, preferably from an accredited university
(2) Eligibility for tenure and appointment at the Associate Professor rank or higher within the department
(3) An established record of successful teaching, university service, and significant intellectual contributions.
(4) Familiarity with accounting and business AACSB accreditation standards and processes
(5) For teaching positions, state law mandates demonstrable oral proficiency in the English language as a requirement for this position

Work Hours

Varies

Proposed Starting Date

7/1/2023

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

Commensurate with experience and qualifications

Required Applicant Documents

To assure full consideration, applicants must complete an online application and attach the required documents by March 17:
(1) Letter of application
(2) Contact information for three references
(3) Full vita

PLEASE NOTE:  These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Applications are requested by March 17, 2023.

Contact Information for Applicants

Dr. Kevin Ahlgrim
Chair, Department of Finance, Insurance and Law
kahlgrim@ilstu.edu