Accounting Officer (515) EXTENDED

Position Summary

The Accounting Officer is part of the Business Operations team at the Holmes Student Center. Under the direction and supervision of the Accounting Officer, works as part of a team in the Holmes Student Center Business Office in the review and preparation of daily cash and charge reconciliations. Assists with supervision of work-related duties to student staff. Maintains a positive attitude while interacting with all HSC personnel, NIU auditors and various other NIU Departments.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Reconciliation – 35%

• Reconciles cash and credit sales for all Holmes Student Center operations.
• Identifies and attempts to resolve any discrepancies.
• Reports irregularities in cash handling processes or patterns in over/short reports.
• Monitors daily charge sheets for accurate documentation of contract billing and payment record.
• Prepares and reconciles complex accounting reports.
• Examines a variety of accounting documents to verify conformance to accounting policies, principles, and practices.

Accounts Receivable/Accounts Payable – 25%

• Assist with accounts receivable invoicing and with collection and verification of contracts in preparation for posting to the daily charge sheet.
• Aid with accounts payable process and preparation of annual open order requisitions for the Holmes Student Center Operations.
• Periodically reviews open order balances for sufficiency to increase or decrease as necessary.
• Corrects transaction documents, which may require revision of other documents or entries including the original.

Financial Reporting – 25%

• Prepares statements and reports that require the utilization of a variety of sources.
• Posts financial information to journals, registers, ledgers, and other related records.
• Codes documents that require knowledge in determining the proper classification of revenue and expenditure codes.

Billing – 10%

• Corrects transaction documents, which may require revision of other documents or entries including the original.
• Prepares daily internal and external billings that requires extensive attention to detail.

Supervision – 5%

• Assists in supervising student staff as needed.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)

1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. Any one or combination totaling two (2) years (24 months) from the categories below:
   1. Course work in accounting, as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
      • 9 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
   2. 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)
   3. Work experience in bookkeeping, office support, or closely related experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service)

Class Specific KSAs:

1. Knowledge above the rudimentary understanding of bookkeeping practices and procedures and accepted accounting principles.
2. Knowledge of university and departmental policies, rules, and regulations.
3. Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, spreadsheets, managing files and records, and other office procedures.
4. Skill in active listening and critical thinking.
5. Skill in time management.
6. Ability to communicate effectively as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
7. Ability to compare numbers and detect errors efficiently.
8. Ability to compile complex financial records and prepare routine financial reports or statements.
9. Ability to make computations with speed and accuracy.
10. Ability to work independently and exercise judgment.
    
    

Position Specific KSAs:

1. Knowledge of and exposure to university educational settings.
2. Ability to collaboratively with professional staff and student workers.
3. Ability to supervise student and extra help workers.

Specialty Factors (Civil Service)

None

Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)

None

Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)

n/a

Additional Requirements (SPS)

n/a

Preferred Qualifications (SPS)

n/a

Physical demands/requirements

• General office requirements.
• Long periods of time seated/stationary.

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, 8am-4:30pm

Salary

Starting at $18.00/hour; NIU offers a robust benefits package.

Hourly or Semi-monthly Pay Rate/Range

See above.

Earn Type

Hourly

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

Application Procedures:

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.
   • 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. Applicants must be a current citizen or resident of the State of Illinois to move forward in the hiring process.

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 Accounting Officer for more information including salary ranges, typical duties, minimum acceptable qualifications, and testing requirements.
  • Applicants who may assume they do not meet the exact minimum qualifications are still invited to apply. Within the application documents, applicants should be sure to explain how their credentials and related qualifications address the requested minimum 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

Please submit the following:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of References

Quick Link to Applicant

https://employment.niu.edu/postings/80276

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. * Please rate the level of professional work experience reviewing invoices and statements, verifying information, ensuring funds are available, and, if questionable, resolving with submitting unit, determining accounts involved, coding transactions, and processing material for application in the accounting system; researching and preparing stop payments.
   • Work experience not directly related to the job function described
   • Work experience at a minimum level of competency relevant to the job function described, requiring some assistance and guidance.
   • Work experience at a high level of competency relevant to the job function described, 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. * Please rate the level of professional work experience performing difficult coding where advanced knowledge and judgment must be applied.
   • Work experience not directly related to the job function described
   • Work experience at a minimum level of competency relevant to the job function described, requiring some assistance and guidance.
   • Work experience at a high level of competency relevant to the job function described, 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. * Please rate the level of professional work experience posting financial information to journals, registers, ledgers, and other related records; making adjustments, preparing trial balances, and reconciling accounts.
   • Work experience not directly related to the job function described
   • Work experience at a minimum level of competency relevant to the job function described, requiring some assistance and guidance.
   • Work experience at a high level of competency relevant to the job function described, 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. * Please rate the level of professional work experience auditing ledgers and accounts maintained by others; reconciling reports from outside agencies and operating units by contacting units and researching causes of discrepancies and taking action to ensure that accounts agree.
    • Work experience not directly related to the job function described
    • Work experience at a minimum level of competency relevant to the job function described, requiring some assistance and guidance.
    • Work experience at a high level of competency relevant to the job function described, 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. * Please rate the level of professional work experience preparing, or assisting in preparing financial statements or reports (such as cash flow, cash receipts, and disbursement, sales, transfers, or accounts receivable).
    • Work experience not directly related to the job function described
    • Work experience at a minimum level of competency relevant to the job function described, requiring some assistance and guidance.
    • Work experience at a high level of competency relevant to the job function described, 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)
    
    
15. * Please rate the level of professional work experience serving as a resource person; answering inquiries and providing information concerning invoices, outstanding balances, and/or payments; interpreting and/or composing correspondence requiring knowledge of departmental regulations, procedures, practices, and policies.
    • Work experience not directly related to the job function described
    • Work experience at a minimum level of competency relevant to the job function described, requiring some assistance and guidance.
    • Work experience at a high level of competency relevant to the job function described, performed independently.
16. * 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)