Position Vacancy Announcement
Position: SURS is seeking a Staff Accountant to join our team as a resource in the finance department. This position plays a critical role in ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant financial processing within the organization. This position is responsible for processing accounts payable, maintaining strong internal controls, supporting audit activities, and assisting in broader accounting operations. The ideal candidate is detail‑oriented, organized, and proficient with accounting systems. This position reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer.
Position: Staff Accountant
Position Type: Full-time | Based in Champaign, IL
Civil Service Classification: Accountant I
Accounts Payable & Payment Processing:
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Process accounts payable transactions, including invoice review, approvals, and timely disbursements.
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Monitor the AP inbox daily, respond to vendor inquiries, and request missing invoices or credits.
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Prepare and distribute checks, process check requests, and complete stop‑payments as needed.
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Perform Positive Pay exception reviews and track long‑outstanding checks; reissue payments when required.
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Verify the propriety of disbursements and completeness of information needed for government reporting.
Internal Controls & Compliance:
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Complete quarterly and annual compliance reporting.
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Prepare annual 1099‑NEC forms.
Accounting Support:
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Assist in the preparation of monthly journal entries.
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Reconcile general ledger accounts to ensure accuracy and completeness.
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Support the development and editing of the annual financial report.
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Assist with budget preparation.
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Process daily transfers to the third-party administrator.
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Upload data between SURS pension system and the accounting system.
Audit & Interdepartmental Support:
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Gather reports and documentation for internal and external audits.
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Work with Procurement on various assigned tasks.
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Provide administrative and clerical accounting support as needed; contribute to special projects.
Required Qualifications
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Any one or any combination of the following, totaling three (3) years (36 months) from the categories below:
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Work experience and/or training in Accounting or a closely related field
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College course work and/or training in Accounting or a closely related field (including 12 semester hours in accounting)
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30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
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Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
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90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
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Bachelor’s Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
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Problem-solving (Ability to tell when something is wrong; inclination towards solving problems)
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Math skills (Ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem and to efficiently solve mathematical problems)
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Organization and time management (Ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order according to a specific set of rules)
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Computer knowledge (Working knowledge of computers, computer systems, and accounting software)
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Teamwork (Ability to work well with others)
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Independent decision making (Ability to exercise independent judgment)
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Communication skills (Ability to relay information in speaking so others will understand and to understand what others say)
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Broad accounting knowledge (Up-to-date knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, as well as relevant laws and regulations; ability to apply accounting theory to routine accounting problems)
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Clerical knowledge (Knowledge of word processing, managing files and records, designing forms, managing inventory, etc.)
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Customer service orientation (Ability to assess customer needs, meet quality standards for service, and evaluate customer satisfaction)
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Written composition (Ability to compose complex written material; knowledge of grammar and punctuation, spelling, etc.)
Preferred Qualifications
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Accounts Payable processing experience is a plus.
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Proficiency with accounting software and strong skills in Excel.
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Knowledge of internal controls and specialized payment systems.
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Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail.
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Strong time‑management skills and ability to meet deadlines.
Position Information
This is a full-time position is based in Champaign, IL. During the initial 6-month training period, fully in-office workdays may be required. After successful completion of the initial training period, this position may transition to a hybrid role. The starting hourly wage range for this position is $27.61 - $30.03. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.
Benefits
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Insurance benefits, including medical, vision and dental
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Participation in SURS retirement plan
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Paid vacation, sick leave and 11 paid holidays
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Paid Parental Leave after six months of employment
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Casual/business casual attire (dependent on job duties)
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Flexible work environment
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Free parking
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37.5-hour standard work week
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Find more details regarding the benefits SURS offers at: SURS Employee Benefits - SURS
Application Process
To apply for this position, please click the apply button at the top of this job posting. Please fill out the online application and attach a copy of your resume and cover letter.
About SURS
SURS is the administrator of a cost-sharing, multiple-employer, public employee retirement system that provides retirement, survivor, disability and death benefits to employees of Illinois state universities, community colleges, and certain other affiliated organizations and agencies. SURS was created in 1941, by an act of the Illinois General Assembly, and is governed by the Illinois Pension Code (40 ILCS 5/15-101 et seq.). SURS provides benefit services to over 258,000 members who work for 61 employers. SURS is responsible for investing assets in a diversified portfolio of U.S. and foreign stocks, bonds, real estate and alternative investments. SURS maintains a defined benefit plan, which on June 30, 2025, had assets valued at approximately $25.2 billion. SURS also administers two defined contribution plans, the Retirement Savings Plan, which on June 30, 2025, had assets of approximately $4.9 billion and the Deferred Compensation Plan, which had assets of approximately $131.5 million. Northern Trust serves as SURS’ master trustee custodian.
