Accounting Associate (1030)

Position Information

Posting Detail Information

Working Position Title Accounting Associate (1030) Classification Accounting Associate - CUSTOM CLASSIFICATION Position Number 00001030 Open Date 07/13/2026 Close Date 07/20/2026 Priority Review Date Employee Class Staff Full-Time/Part Time Full-Time FTE 1.00 Position Status Regular FLSA Exempt Job code 5000 Union Representation Non-Union Union Code N/A Unit/Department Controller College/Unit AVP Finance Division Administration & Finance Location LH 107 Link to Department Website or Custom Search Page https://www.niu.edu/controllers/

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Overview

Northern Illinois University is a world-class, research-focused public institution that attracts students from across Illinois, the country and the world. NIU's vision is to be an engine for innovation to advance social mobility; promote personal, professional and intellectual growth; and transform the world through research, artistry, teaching and outreach. Our mission is to empower students through educational excellence and experiential learning as we pursue knowledge, share our research and artistry, and engage communities for the benefit of the region, state, nation and world.

The Accounting Associate supports the Controller's Office by coordinating audit activities, maintaining and reconciling financial accounts, assisting with financial reporting, and ensuring compliance with applicable policies and reporting requirements. Working closely with campus departments, the position helps promote the accuracy, consistency, and integrity of the university's financial records and processes.

Position Summary

Under administrative direction, this individual applies professional-level accounting expertise in the management and/or administration of the Controller's Office. They perform professional-level accounting work, characterized by independent discretion and strategic planning. The position's job duties are also characterized by high impact activities affecting multiple departments/divisions. This position requires knowledge of the theories, principles, practices, and terminology of accountancy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Audit Support

• Serve as the primary point of contact for coordinating communications between external state auditors and campus departments during annual financial, single, and compliance audits
• Coordinate the distribution, collection, tracking, and follow-up of audit requests and supporting documentation from campus departments
• Review documentation for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with audit request requirements before submission to external auditors
• Communicate identified documentation deficiencies, missing information, or corrective actions needed to departmental representatives and management

Account Support

• Responsible for maintaining and reconciling the university petty cash and working fund account.
• Review requests for new funds, obtain approvals, and submit completed requests for processing
• Prepare journals as needed for closing and maintaining funds
• Perform annual verification of funds

Financial Reporting Support

• Serve as a backup to assist with the preparation of various financial reporting and asset management
• Assist with developing an overall financial assessment and make recommendations to management for process improvement to ensure completeness and accuracy of institutional financial data and reports

Reports

• Provide comprehensive reports, detailed analysis, and technical advice for administrative use.
• Prepare financial statements and interim management reports
• Assist in various year-end processes, including independent preparation of GAAP package, financial statements, and compliance schedules
• Participate in all facets of fiscal period and year end closing, identifying potential problems, developing solutions, and implementing corrective actions
• Research current GASB standards
• Stay current with current financial accounting trends in Higher Education

Other Duties

• Other related duties and responsibilities as assigned

Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)

• Bachelor's degree with a major in Accountancy or a related field AND two (2) years of professional level accounting experience.

OR

• Possession of current registration as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant, or a valid license to practice Public Accounting (LPA).

OR

• Master's degree in Accountancy or a related field.

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

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

1. Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, as well as relevant laws and regulations; ability to apply accounting theory to very complex accounting problems.

2. Ability to exercise independent judgment.

3. Ability to present accounting or financial data in a clear and concise manner to both technical and non-technical users.

4. Ability to collect and organize accounting data, interpret its significance, and prepare accurate financial reports.

5. Ability to apply mathematical methods and principles to accounting related problems.

6. Ability to solve difficult and complex accounting and related financial problems.

7. Ability to communicate appropriately regarding accounting and financial issues, and exercise tact when solving controversial problems.

8. May require the ability to direct and manage the activities of subordinates engaged in accounting activities.

9. Working knowledge of computers, computer systems, and accounting software.

10. Ability to work well with others.

11. Knowledge of word processing, managing files and records, designing forms, managing inventory, etc.

12. Ability to assess customer needs, meet quality standards of service, and evaluate customer satisfaction.

13. Ability to compose complex written material; knowledge of grammar and punctuation, spelling, etc.

Specialty Factors (Civil Service)

None

Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)

• Customer focus - making customer and their needs a primary focus of one's actions; developing and sustaining productive customer relationships;
• Continuous process improvement - an ongoing effort to improve services or processes;
• Risk management - coordinated activities or resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability and/or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities; and
• Change agent - value the ability to change; understand that change will occur, expect change and effortlessly perform during and after the change.

Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)

n/a

Additional Requirements (SPS)

n/a

Preferred Qualifications (SPS)

n/a

Physical demands/requirements

• This is a sedentary position.

Appointment and Compensation Details

Appointment and Compensation Details

Anticipated Appointment Start Date 08/3/2026 Anticipated Appointment End Date Percent of Staff Year 1.00 Standard Hours Per Week 37.50 Working Hours M-F, 8:00am - :30pm, additional hours as needed Salary $57,451.20 - $64,000.08 annually; NIU offers a robust benefits package. Hourly or Semi-monthly Pay Rate/Range $2,393.80 - $2,666.67 semi-monthly Earn Type Salary

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

Application Procedure:

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 Accounting Associate 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 Quick Link to Applicant https://employment.niu.edu/postings/93841 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

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire)
• List of at least 3 Professional References

Optional Documents

• Military Discharge Documents ONLY (DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256)
• Other

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • Are you currently a citizen or resident of the State of Illinois?

• Yes

• No

• • What is the highest level of education attained?

• GED

• High School Diploma

• Associates Degree

• Bachelors Degree

• Masters Degree

• PHD

• • Have you attached all transcripts to support the degrees you are submitting for consideration?

• Yes

• No

• • How many years of experience do you have in this type of position?

• 0-1

• 1-3

• 3-5

• 5-7

• 7+

• • 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)

• • 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