Accountant II (1539)

Position Summary

Under general supervision, this employee is an experienced accountant who applies accounting principles and practices to a variety of accounts payable responsibilities and other fiscal functions, as required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist in the daily operations of Accounts Payable including a variety of functions including reviewing and approving voucher data entry for completion, accuracy, and compliance with institutional policies and accounting standards, correspond with internal and external customers educating on university policy and state regulation as needed, and preparing and reconciling complex accounts payable reports.
• Collaborate with University personnel and outside vendors as necessary for prompt and timely reimbursements and payments, responding to inquiries on accounting policy and procedure by independently researching and interpreting accounting policy and regulations.
• Maintain records and monitors travel advances and travel exceptions reported to the Illinois Higher Education Travel Control Board ( IHETCB ), serve as a board member on the IHETCB
• Provide backup support for supplier maintenance and other daily accounts payable functions including paycycles and payment reissues.
• Prepare sales tax reports and other ad-hoc reports requiring interpretation and analysis of data as needed for external / internal compliance and administrative use.
• Supervises lower level staff as needed.
• Prepare annual financial schedules for state appropriated funds and local resources.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)

1. Any one or any combination of the following, totaling three (3) years (36 months), from the categories below:

a. Work experience and/or training in Accounting or a closely related field
b. College course work 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)

2. A total of two (2) years (24 months) of experience in professional level accounting work consistent with the next lower level of this series.

Note: 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) (Civil Service)

1. Problem-solving (Ability to tell when something is wrong; inclination towards solving problems)
2. Organization and time management (Ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order according to a specific set of rules)
3. Math skills (Ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem and to efficiently solve mathematical problems)
4. Computer knowledge (Working knowledge of computers, computer systems, and accounting software)
5. Communication skills (Ability to relay information in speaking so others will understand and to understand what others say)
6. Teamwork (Ability to work well with others)
7. Independent decision making (Ability to exercise independent judgment)
8. Broad accounting knowledge (Up-to-date knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, as well as relevant laws and regulations; ability to apply accounting theory to routine accounting problems)
9. Customer service orientation (Ability to assess customer needs, meet quality standards for service, and evaluate customer satisfaction)
10. Clerical knowledge (Knowledge of word processing, managing files and records, designing forms, managing inventory, etc.)
11. Written composition (Ability to compose complex written material; knowledge of grammar and punctuation, spelling, etc.)
12. Ability to operate office accounting machines and equipment

Specialty Factors (Civil Service)

n/a

Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)

• Bachelor’s degree in related field.

Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)

n/a

Additional Requirements (SPS)

n/a

Preferred Qualifications (SPS)

n/a

Physical demands/requirements

Position is mainly sedentary .

Appointment and Compensation Details

Appointment and Compensation Details

Anticipated Appointment Start Date

TBD

Anticipated Appointment End Date

Percent of Staff Year

1.00

Standard Hours Per Week

37.50

Working Hours

Monday-Friday/8:00am-4:30pm

Salary

Commensurate with experience; NIU offers a robust benefits package. package.

Hourly or Semi-monthly Pay Rate/Range

See above.

Earn Type

Hourly

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

1. Fully complete the Education and Work History sections of the application. Be specific on your entire work history, including employment dates and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience. Important: Please upload any unofficial transcript(s) and/or documentation that verifies any education, experience, and/or training you have received.
o If eligible for Veteran’s Preference Points, DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256 paperwork reflecting an Honorable Discharge MUST be uploaded to this application to receive the maximum eligible points on the Civil Service examination.

2. After the posting has closed, your submission will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the classification, including any specialty factors associated with this position. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register.

3. Please monitor your e-mail for further information regarding your application. Emails will be generated from jobs@niu.edu and CivilServiceTesting@niu.edu . Please add these emails to your address book to ensure timely delivery of any future communication.

4. Illinois residency required within 180 days of the hire date.

Credentials Assessment Examination:

• The examination for this position is a Credentials Assessment and is based on your application materials as submitted for this posting. A Credential Assessment is a rating by the Human Resources Office of an applicant’s/employee’s education, experience, and special credentials/qualifications (licenses, etc.). Applicants are required to upload documentation to verify the minimum qualifications for this position has been met.
• Required documentation noted in the posting, such as a driver’s license, licensures, or certifications MUST be uploaded with your application materials.
• After assessment of all qualified applicants has been completed for this position, the names with the top three (3) scores will be referred to the hiring department for interview.

Additional Details:

• Click on Accountant II for more information including salary ranges, typical duties, minimum acceptable qualifications, and testing requirements.
• Please click on Human Resource Services – Benefits for detailed information about Northern Illinois University’s benefits package.
• Employment is contingent upon your passing a criminal background investigation. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Special Instructions

Cover letter, resume

Quick Link to Applicant

https://employment.niu.edu/postings/80346

Is Background Check Required?

Yes

EEO Statement Summary

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability (physical and mental), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (identity and expression), political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Ethics and Compliance Officer, Title IX Coordinator
Health Services Building Room 230
TitleIXCoordinator@niu.edu
815-753-5560

Visa Policy

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

ADA Accommodation

NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person’s disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form . For further assistance, please contact the office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity ( AAEO ) at ada@niu.edu .

Safety Information

NIU provides annual reports on campus security and fire safety.
Read the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report .
Contact the Ethics and Compliance Office at 815-753-9364 for a hard copy.
Applicant Documents
Required Documents

1. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2. Cover Letter
3. List of References

Optional Documents

1. Military Discharge Documents ONLY (DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256)
2. Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire)
3. Other

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Are you currently a citizen or resident of the State of Illinois?
   • Yes
   • No
2. * What is the highest level of education attained?
   • GED
   • High School Diploma
   • Associates Degree
   • Bachelors Degree
   • Masters Degree
   • PHD
3. * Have you attached all transcripts to support the degrees you are submitting for consideration?
   • Yes
   • No
4. * If applicable, have you attached a copy of your DD214, DD215, NGB22, or DD256 for consideration of Veterans Preference Points? The copy submitted should reflect the status of discharge in order to be considered.
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not Applicable
5. * Do you have specific work experience preparing annual financial schedules for appropriated funds and/or local resources (Statement of Net Assets; Statement of Revenues, Expenses, and Changes in Net Assets; Statement of Cash Flows)?
   • No work experience directly related to the job function described.
   • My work experience relevant to the job function described was performed under guidance.
   • My work experience relevant to the job function described was performed independently.
6. * Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. (“See Résumé” is not an acceptable response.)
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   
7. * Do you have specific work experience with preparing, reconciling, or supervising complex accounting reports?
   • No work experience directly related to the job function described.
   • My work experience relevant to the job function described was performed under guidance.
   • My work experience relevant to the job function described was performed independently.
8. * Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. (“See Résumé” is not an acceptable response.)
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   
9. * Do you have specific work experience preparing budgets?
   • No work experience directly related to the job function described.
   • My work experience relevant to the job function described was performed under guidance.
   • My work experience relevant to the job function described was performed independently.
10. * Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. (“See Résumé” is not an acceptable response.)
    
    (Open Ended Question)
    
    
11. * Do you have specific work experience with assembling, organizing, preparing, analyzing financial data reports?
    • No work experience directly related to the job function described.
    • My work experience relevant to the job function described was performed under guidance.
    • My work experience relevant to the job function described was performed independently.
12. * Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. (“See Résumé” is not an acceptable response)
    
    (Open Ended Question)
    
    
13. * Do you have specific work experience with processing payroll and billing?
    • No work experience directly related to the job function described.
    • My work experience relevant to the job function described was performed under guidance.
    • My work experience relevant to the job function described was performed independently.
14. * Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. (“See Résumé” is not an acceptable response)
    
    (Open Ended Question)