Staff Accountant

General Summary: The Staff Accountant - supports the Fiscal Manager in maintaining accurate financial records and reporting for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs.

This position is primarily responsible for all aspects of fiscal and administrative support, including establishing, managing, and reconciling Individual Training Accounts (ITAs) for participants in Kane, Kendall, and DeKalb Counties. The role also provides fiscal oversight, reporting support, and technical assistance to service providers and internal staff.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Establish and maintain Individual Training Accounts (ITAs) in the County accounting system

• Ensure data accuracy between county and state financial systems.

• Reconcile ITA program data with financial records.

• Assist in preparing journal entries, invoice coding, account reconciliations budgets, financial entries, reports and year-end close.

• Recommend improvements to processing policies and procedures.

• Enter and maintain accounts payable and other financial transactions in the County accounting system.

• Support weekly cash requirement calculations and grant closeouts.

• Prepare revenue and expenditure accruals.

• Provide financial documentation for audits and monitoring reviews.

• Review and process cost claims from service providers.

• Monitor service provider expenditures and spending benchmarks.

• Provide fiscal guidance and technical assistance to staff and service providers.

• Support fiscal monitoring of contracted providers and subrecipients.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of governmental accounting principles, including GAAP and GASB.
• Understanding of federal grant compliance and reporting requirements.
• Familiarity with state workforce development (WIOA, WIA, TAA, and DCEO) policies.
• Experience with financial systems and accounting software.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Excel and Outlook.
• Ability to analyze financial data and resolve discrepancies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to interpret regulations and apply them to fiscal operations.
• Ability to build effective working relationships.

TRAINING, EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:

• Associate"s degree in accounting, finance, business administration or related field and 2 years of accounting experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience as needed to successfully perform the job.
• Bachelor"s Degree is preferred.
• Experience in a governmental or non-profit setting and/or grant management is strongly preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Prolonged periods of sitting, talking, listening, working on a computer = 75%

Lifting up to 15 pounds at a time, reaching, bending, walking = 25%

EQUIPMENT USED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Computer, printer, scanner, telephone, fax, copier, county vehicle, and supplies related to duties.

WORKING CONDITIONS WHILE PERFORMING ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Normal office environment where there is no physical discomfort or exposure to hazards due to temperature, dust, noise and the like.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports to: Fiscal Manager

Directs Work of: None