Assistant Chief Accountant

Job Requisition ID: 43640
Closing Date/Time: 01/17/2025
Agency: Illinois Board of Higher Education
Salary: Starting salary commensurate with experience, not to exceed $75,000/year
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Sangamon; Adams; Alexander; Bond; Boone; Brown; Bureau; Calhoun; Carroll; Cass; Champaign; Christian; Clark; Clay; Clinton; Coles; Cook; Crawford; Cumberland; DeKalb; DeWitt; Douglas; DuPage; Edgar; Edwards; Effingham; Fayette; Ford; Franklin; Fulton; Gallatin; Greene; Grundy; Hamilton; Hancock; Hardin; Henderson; Henry; Iroquois; Jackson; Jasper; Jefferson; Jersey; Jo Daviess; Johnson ; Kane; Kankakee; Kendall; Knox; LaSalle; Lake; Lawrence; Lee; Livingston; Logan; Macon; Macoupin; Madison; Marion; Marshall; Mason; Massac; McDonough; McHenry; McLean; Menard; Mercer; Monroe; Montgomery; Morgan; Moultrie; Ogle; Peoria; Perry; Piatt; Pike; Pope; Pulaski; Putnam; Randolph; Richland; Rock Island; Saline; Schuyler; Scott; Shelby; St. Clair; Stark; Stephenson; Tazewell; Union; Vermilion; Wabash; Warren; Washington; Wayne; White; Whiteside; Will; Williamson; Winnebago; Woodford
Number of Vacancies: 1

****A RESUME IS REQUIRED FOR THIS JOB POSTING****

Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV), a copy of your transcripts or diploma for all degrees earned, and a copy of any applicable professional licensures to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application. Please note that the Illinois Board of Higher Education must verify proof of higher education for any degree earned (if applicable) before any offer can be extended. You WILL NOT be considered for the position if you attach a CMS100, CMS100b or any other document in lieu of a Resume or CV.

About IBHE

IBHE has been supporting higher education in Illinois for more than 50 years. We are a dedicated team of professionals, overseen by a Board appointed by the Governor, who are working for a strong, equitable higher education system, which we believe is essential for the state to thrive. We work with leaders in colleges, universities, state and federal government agencies, governors, legislators, and other entities to strategically further this mission.

In its strategic plan, A Thriving Illinois: Higher Education Paths to Equity, Sustainability, and Growth, IBHE has identified three goals and 25 strategies to help achieve its vision of a higher education ecosystem that ensures individuals, families, and communities across the state thrive.

• Equity - Close equity gaps for students who have been left behind.
• Sustainability - Build a stronger financial future for individuals and institutions.
• Growth - Increase talent and innovation that drives economic growth.

About the position:

The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) is seeking an Assistant Chief Accountant/Procurement Officer in the Fiscal Operations Unit, which reports to the Chief Financial Officer.

This is a covered position under the State Universities Civil Service System.

The Assistant Chief Accountant/Procurement Officer is responsible for performing a variety of complex and professional accounting, analysis, and auditing functions including but not limited to preparing journal entries, serving as lead on all fiscal compliance reporting, including maintaining records and serving as point of contact for compliance audits, performing complex analysis of agency financial data for ad hoc reports, including for audits, and serving as Asset Accountant, maintaining accurate and up-to-date asset inventory and all reporting, including annual physical inventory. Additionally, this position serves as the Agency’s Procurement Officer and BEP Compliance Officer, ensuring compliance with State of IL procurement and preferred vendor selection processes (including filing required reports).

Major Duties & Responsibilities include:

Accounting Functions:

• Serves as lead on all fiscal compliance reporting, including maintaining records and serving as point of contact for compliance audits.
• Prepares monthly journal entries
• Performs analysis of agency financial data for ad hoc reports, including for audits
• Serves as Asset Accountant, maintaining accurate and up-to-date asset inventory and all reporting, including annual physical inventory

Procurement:

• Serves as the primary Agency contact with the state Procurement office
• Maintains expertise on Illinois state law and rules related to procurement
• Enters procurement data, as required by state law and rules, into the state procurement system (BidBuy)
• Evaluates forms and procedures to identify areas of possible problems and potential improvements
• Ensures compliance with all applicable state procurement processes
• Educates IBHE staff in procurement rules and processes
• Serves as the coordinator for ordering the agency's office supplies
• Serves as the Agency’s Procurement & BEP Compliance Officer

Agency-wide vehicle coordinator:

• schedules the use of the Agency car
• completes required mileage logs, and Agency required reports
• maintains control of the vehicle keys
• schedules routine maintenance
• works with authorized personnel for vehicle repairs in the case of an accident
• works with Agency personnel to complete all required accident reporting

Other duties as assigned, within scope of position

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent knowledge of state Accounting and Procurement systems preferred
• Extensive accounting skills
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Committed focus on accuracy and attention to detail
• Takes initiative, self-starter
• Conflict resolution skills (Ability to deal tactfully with controversial problems)
• Extremely driven, intellectually curious, and committed to continuous learning and growing.
• Supportive colleague, reinforcing a strong team-focused culture.
• Working knowledge of Word, Excel, and Power Point; working knowledge of SAMS a plus

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree with a major in accountancy or equivalent course work
• A total of three (3) years (36 months) of accounting experience in an administrative or supervisory capacity
• A total of two (2) years (24 months) of additional years of 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.

Work Hours: 8:00am-4:00pm Mon-Fri
Work Location: 1 N Old State Capitol Plz Springfield, IL 62701-1323**

**IBHE offers remote and hybrid work arrangements, based on position and supervisor discretion. IL Residency is required. Travel within Illinois is expected, as required by the work.
Agency Contact: IBHE Human Resources
Email: humanresources@ibhe.org
Phone #: (217) 782-2551
Posting Group: Fiscal, Finance & Procurement

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

• donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
• systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com