Senior Staff Accountant

Educate. Empower. Transform

At Oakton College, we know education changes lives - and that starts with the people who make it happen. For more than 50 years, we've built a welcoming and inclusive community where students from all backgrounds and experiences thrive.

We're looking for passionate educators, professionals and leaders to join our team. Whether in the classroom, student support, or behind the scenes, your talents and expertise will make a difference and shape the future.

We provide dynamic learning environments that empower students and employees alike with campuses in Des Plaines and Skokie and a Health Careers Education Center in Evanston.

As a proud institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Oakton is more than a college - it's a place where innovation, equity and lifelong learning drive everything we do. We value diverse perspectives and embrace new ideas and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and student-centered culture.

Job Description:

Basic Function and Responsibility:

Under supervision from the Senior Manager of Accounting, the Senior Staff Accountant is responsible for maintaining accurate records to ensure compliance with accounting standards and established college policies and procedures. The Senior Staff Accountant is a key resource person for daily financial accounting questions and issues and will assist in the research and implementation of newly issued accounting regulations.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:

Review and analyze the accuracy and reliability of College's system-generated reports and financial data including expenditure, fund, appropriation, expense and revenue records in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and college policies/procedures.
Create and record journal entries to ensure accurate financial records.
Design and implement automated Excel spreadsheets and other customized tools.
Complex reconciliation of the College's bank and general ledger accounts..
Research, analyze, and correct exceptions and reconciling items.
Review and/or make state and federal payroll tax payments
Review and post bi-weekly payroll to the accounting system and release direct deposit remittance.
Prepare fiscal reports monthly, quarterly, and annually.
Prepare workpapers and make accounting adjustments for the annual financial audit, any additional audits or reviews, and periodic grant monitoring visits.
Respond to employee and vendor inquiries.
Analyzes and recommends improvements, adaptations, or revisions to the accounting system and accompanying procedures.
Perform some accounts payable work including: enter and review vendor invoices for: administrative approval, verify appropriate ledger account coding, properly maintain W-9s annually, and in conformance with procedures.
Research, review, and clear Positive Pay exceptions and document decisions
Perform comprehensive review of documents and make changes for the calendar year-end 1099 process.
Train new employees and temps on accounting and accounts payable processes.
Test various accounting systems updates/upgrades as needed.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
Supervision Received:

Functional supervision is received from the Senior Manager of Accounting. Administrative supervision is received from the Assistant Financial Controller.

Supervision Exercised:

None.

Requirements:

Qualifications and Working Conditions:

Bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field is required.
Three to five years' experience in accounting, auditing, or related areas.
Minimum three years working knowledge of accounting and finance modules of an ERP software system (e.g., Ellucian Banner, PeopleSoft Workday, Hyperion etc..).
Knowledge of accepted accounting practices, legal statutes, and policy and procedure affecting financial record keeping e.g., governmental or non- profit accounting principles, or GFOA (Government Finance Officers Association.
Proficient in software systems, such as Microsoft Office Suite and basic office equipment; comfortable learning new technologies as needed. Advanced to intermediate skills in Microsoft Excel.
Work independently with minimal supervision and demonstrate a strong sense of initiative.
Actively seeks learning opportunities, applying new knowledge, and adapts to evolving job requirements and industry standards.
Manage multiple tasks efficiently, prioritize responsibilities, and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in community college environment.
CPA or pursuing CPA certificate.
Experience with Ellucian, Oracle, or other ERP.
Excel experience with: VLOOKUPs, SUMIFS, and Pivot tables.
Working Conditions:

Light lifting up to 10 lbs. and light carrying up to 10 lbs. Ability to reach above shoulder. Periods of time spent sitting, standing, walking, kneeling, bending and stooping. Mobility to move from building to building on-Campus and to visit off-Campus entities. Work is performed in a general office environment and is sedentary in nature. Little or no exposure to adverse working conditions.

Additional Information:

HOURS: Monday - Friday - 8:15 am - 5:00 pm

SALARY: Compensation will be commensurate with experience. Minimum starting salary is $68,519.

Based on the needs of the college and with Administrator approval, some positions at the college may have a hybrid schedule option available after 30 working days.

For information regarding employment eligibility, please visit our employment at Oakton web page.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Application Instructions:

Please be sure to have a current resume, cover letter, and list of, at least, three (3) professional references with contact information prepared to submit with your application.

Oakton College conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment. Convictions are not a bar to employment. Background checks will be performed in compliance with state and federal law and in accordance with the Illinois Department of Human Rights Conviction Record Protection Act of March 2021.

Posted positions may be removed from the Oakton website without notice when it is determined that no additional applicants are required.

Oakton College does not utilize E-Verify for employment eligibility verification.