Accounting Assistant

City of Decatur - Decatur, IL; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent health insurance

Strong retirement pension plan

14.5 paid holidays (incl. 2 personal)

Job summary

City of Decatur - Decatur, IL is seeking an Accounting Assistant to support payments posting, reconciliations, and reporting. The role involves maintaining accurate records, processing invoices, and improving financial processes across the Finance Department.

Ideal candidates have two years of college coursework in accounting, strong MS Office skills, and analytical abilities. Residency within 50 miles of Decatur is required, with several benefits listed for this union position.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of accounting methods, principles, and techniques.
• Ability to use standard office equipment and MS Office.
• Analytical and problem‑solving skills with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Prepare invoices for payment, code bills, assign vendor numbers, and organize invoices.
• Enter AP check information into ERP; review forms related to encumbrances and adjustments.
• Perform monthly/annual reconciliations and post daily cash receipts.

Education

Two years of college with accounting coursework

Tools

ERP system

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Job description

Work that matters every single day.

$26.83/hour | Full-Time, Benefited | Decatur, Illinois
Increases to $29.26/hour after six months.

Why Decatur

Decatur offers affordable Central Illinois living with easy access to Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis, plus Lake Decatur and 2,000+ acres of parkland for boating, biking, and outdoor recreation. Enjoy the Devon Amphitheater, historic Lincoln Theatre and Millikin University performing arts, with Lincoln's Tomb and the Lincoln Home National Historic Site close by.

As an Accounting Assistant with the City of Decatur Finance Department, you'll be the person behind the scenes making sure payments post correctly, records stay accurate, and financial operations never skip a beat. It's detail-driven work with real impact.

You'll get hands-on experience across accounts payable, reconciliations, deposits, and reporting, plus cross-train across the Treasury Division to build a broader skill set.

Responsibilities

Keep Accounts Payable Accurate and Moving

• Prepare invoices for payment by matching invoices to purchase orders, calculating discounts, coding bills, assigning vendor numbers, and organizing invoices by funds and object codes.
• Enter accounts payable check information into the ERP system.
• Review data printouts and complete forms related to appropriation changes, purchase order and contract encumbrances, adjustment errors, canceled checks, and related transactions.

Maintain Accurate Accounts and Financial Records

• Perform monthly and annual account reconciliations, including preparing journal entries and reports.
• Prepare general billing invoices as needed.
• Post daily cash receipts and disbursements and analyze cash balances.
• Maintain accurate accounting and operational records.

Process Payments and Support Daily Cash Activity

• Record daily incoming ACH and wire payment receipts.
• Complete daily bank deposits and related duties.
• Perform payment corrections and redistributions as needed.
• Enter and maintain financial information supporting accounts payable, accounts receivable, distributions, and allocations.

Manage Liens and Registration Records

• Print ordinance violation invoices and record property liens.
• Complete requests for lien payoff amounts, release paid property liens, and maintain all lien records.
• Track and maintain boat, pier, and pet registrations; mail invoices and notices and respond to related questions.

Strengthen Continuity Across Finance Operations

• Cross-train across Treasury Division duties to help ensure continuity of Finance Department functions.
• Support coverage of essential functions when employees are away from the office.

Requirements

Education & Accounting Experience

• Two years of college with major coursework in accounting or municipal finance administration, plus two years of accounting experience involving knowledge of data processing. An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.

Accounting & Financial Knowledge

• Knowledge of accounting methods, principles, and techniques.
• Knowledge of office practices and procedures for maintaining a federally assisted program accounting system.
• Knowledge of departmental organization, policies, and operations.
• Ability to make accurate and rapid mathematical computations.

Analysis & Independent Judgment

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to make well‑thought‑out decisions with little or no supervision.

Technology & Communication Skills

• Skill in using computers, calculators, copy machines, multi‑line phone systems, and other standard office equipment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Ability to understand and carry out detailed oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with the public and other employees in general and difficult work situations.

Preferred

• Experience supervising related work is desired.
• An Associate’s degree is desired but not required.

What We Offer

• 14.5 paid holidays, including 2 personal days
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Excellent health insurance
• Strong retirement pension plan
• Dedicated Health Center - free check‑ups, chronic care, bloodwork, immunizations, and many free prescriptions for employees and dependents

Additional Requirements

This AFSCME collective bargaining position requires residency within 50 miles of Decatur's corporate limits (new appointees have 90 days after probation to comply). The City does not provide visa sponsorship. Applicants must already be authorized to work in the U.S. on a continuous basis.

The City of Decatur is a drug‑free workplace, including marijuana; post‑offer candidates undergo a drug screen, physical exam, and background check.

Selection is based on a written examination and an oral interview (together, 100% of the final score); candidates must score at least 70.00% on each to advance. Eligible veterans may receive 5.00 preference points, and current AFSCME employees may receive 0.50 seniority preference points per full year of service, up to 10.0 points.

Apply

Application deadline: September 27, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Central