"Accountant I - Library Business & Human Resources Service Center"

Accountant I - Library Business & Human Resources Service Center

Company:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Job Location:
Urbana, 61820

Category:
Business and Financial Services

Type:
Full-Time

Accountant I

Library Business & Human Resources Service Center
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

FUNCTION: The function of this position is to manage the Library Business and Human Resource Service Center processing process by collecting information from the requestors and vendors and to train Library Staff on the process. This position will also provide monthly reconciliations, process deposits, provide travel arranging and reimbursements for both employees and guests, process foreign national payments and utilize MY-UI-Financials, BANNER and EDDIE to obtain current information regarding FOAPAL balances.

Duties and Responsibilities

Purchasing and Payables Processing

• Process and complete iBuy requisitions. Reviews and approves documentation for requisition for completeness and request more information when needed from requester or vendor.
• Process yearly memberships purchase orders for the library.
• Review and approve invoices for completeness and accuracy for vendors and submit to Payables for payments.
• Examines invoice and payment problems with patrons and resolves independently.
• Reviews, approves, and processes documentation for non-conforming purchaser orders and transactions.
• Reviews, approves, and processes documentation for financial support or sponsorship payments to outside organizations.
• Assists vendors in filing new and updated vendor forms.
• Train Library staff in the purchasing process.
• Maintains documentation, such as subsidiary ledgers, for the Library Business Office.

Reconcile Monthly Reports and Bank Statements for Library Operations

• Examines monthly accounting records for accuracy, completeness and conformance to Library Business Office procedures that included, but not limited to:
  • Post all invoices, receipts, etc. to Library accounts.
  • Post and balance internal income and expense transfers.
  • Update monthly individual income and expense accounts for Library faculty.
  • Review and edit line references and formulas in computer spreadsheets for accuracy.
  • Balance sub-ledger accounts to the General Ledger report.
• Correct errors and inconsistencies in invoices and receipts and compare monthly statements.
• Review all internal income and expense transfer requests for accuracy, account correctness, and proper signatures.
• Prepares monthly financial reconciliation reports

Travel Coordinator and Employee Reimbursement Backup

• Create and maintain travel expenditures for all Library employees.
• Process Library employees' reimbursements.
• Process travel arrangements and provide conference registration payments.
• Open and close program advances, including depositing unused funds to Bursar.

Process Foreign National Payments

• Assist Associate Director of Fiscal Operations in processing Foreign National payments.
• Communicate the policies and procedures for Foreign National payments to the Library employees.
• Communicate with guests about the needed documentation for scholarships, payments, or reimbursements.
• Communicate as needed with University Payroll and University Payables to process payments.

Perform Other Related Duties as Assigned

• Assist with fiscal year close
• Assist with Grants and contracts
• Assist in the preparation of financial analysis

Minimum Qualifications

Any one or any combination of the following, totaling three (3) years (36 months) from the categories below:

A. Work experience and/or training in Accounting or a closely related field

B. College course work and/or training in Accounting or a closely related field (including 12 semester hours in accounting)

a. 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
b. Associate's Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
c. 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
d. Bachelor's Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• A basic understanding of accounting principles and a solid working knowledge of BANNER, EDDIE, DAWS, P-cards, T-cards, Chrome River, and other OBFS related items.
• A thorough understanding of all BANNER finance forms and procedures, plus the preparation and processing of all financial reports and statements, including any vendors outside the United States.
• A thorough understanding of the preparation and processing of honorariums and artistic agreements, all travel related activities for both faculty and staff, all deposits, whether cash or credit card, and monthly financial reports and statements.
• A thorough understanding of both University and Library Business and Human Resource Service Center (BHRSC) rules, regulations, policies and procedures, including yearly updates.
• A familiarity and general understanding of the University Library's operations and activities as well as the various campus offices that the Library Business and Human Resource Service Center (BHRSC) works closely with.
• Ability to complete tasks in a timely manner, maintain confidentiality of sensitive information, and keep organized and detailed up to date financial records. Accuracy, completeness of documents and records, and expediency are expected, as well as the ability to provide follow-up.
• The ability to initiate action to resolve discrepancies and correct errors immediately is imperative.
• The ability to work independently and use critical thinking skills to solve problems or answer questions for faculty and staff member

Responsibility

The incumbent is responsible for completing tasks in a timely manner, maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information, and keeping organized and detailed up to date financial records in order to provide accurate and current FOAPAL information upon request. Accuracy, completeness of documents and records, and expediency are expected, as well as the ability to provide follow-up. The ability to initiate action to resolve discrepancies and correct errors immediately is imperative. The incumbent is responsible for providing explanation of Library Business and Human Resource Service Center and University business policies and regulations to University Library employees and non-employees.

Difficulty

The incumbent is expected to work independently, under general supervision, with frequent interruptions while preparing and processing all financial materials in a timely manner. Independent judgment is needed in prioritizing tasks, and also in determining appropriate FOAPALs to be used (procedure and coding). The incumbent must manage simultaneous assignments efficiently and correctly.

Personal Relationships

The incumbent interacts with University Library faculty and staff, with personnel from other campus units, and with off-campus vendors and guests. The incumbent must work closely and efficiently with Library Business and Human Resource Service Center personnel, and University personnel.

Environmental Demands

Typical office environment. Occasionally, it is necessary for the incumbent to personally deliver or obtain documents at other campus locations.

Comments

This position requires the incumbent to use initiative, be very detail oriented, have strong organizational skills, and be an effective communicator. The incumbent is expected to initiate action in order to execute duties. The incumbent is expected to conduct all interactions in a pleasant and professional manner at all times.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service Professional Non-Exempt, Accountant I position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close of the search. The budgeted salary range for the position is $40,000 to $50,000.

This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on March 31, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Amy Dannowitz at amydanno@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.