Accounting Assistant - School of Information Sciences

Laseagrant; Urbana (IL); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s School of Information Sciences is seeking a 100% full-time Accounting Assistant to support purchasing, payment processing, and financial recordkeeping for faculty, staff, students, and vendors. The role reports to the Director of Budget and Resource Planning and follows university and unit policies.

You will handle procurement transactions, and assist with reconciliation, reporting, and budget support, while maintaining confidentiality and providing

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Process purchasing, payment, and reimbursement activity using University systems (iBuy, Banner, Emburse, PCard, TCard, PO, vendor payments, journal vouchers).
• Prepare or review requisitions, invoices, travel and reimbursement requests, payment documents, and related transactions.
• Verify or assign appropriate accounting codes (CFOP) and chart-of-accounts elements.
• Track purchases, payments, reimbursements, and obligations in systems and reports.
• Coordinate with faculty, staff, vendors to resolve documentation and purchasing issues.
• Maintain organized financial records per University record-retention requirements.
• Serve as a resource for iSchool employees on purchasing, reimbursements, travel, and financial procedures.
• Communicate policy requirements clearly to individuals with varying levels of experience.
• Support cash/deposits/invoicing/AR as assigned.
• Maintain confidentiality with sensitive information.
• Reconciliation, reporting and budget support (20%).
• Review monthly financial reports and balances for accuracy and compliance.
• Reconcile expenditures, revenues, and reimbursements and resolve discrepancies.

Skills

Financial policies

Microsoft Office

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

multitasking

Decision making

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

1 year related experience

Tools

Banner

Emburse

iBuy

PCard

TCard

University reporting tools

Job description

Accounting Assistant - School of Information Sciences

The School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois invites applications from qualified individuals for a 100% full-time Accounting Assistant.

The iSchool at Illinois makes a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals through teaching, research, and public engagement. Our mission is to lead the way in understanding the use of information in science, culture, society, commerce, and the diverse activities of our daily lives. We engage in inclusive community partnerships, working beyond geographic boundaries to benefit the social good. We believe in the power of information to change the world. For more information about iSchool, visit https://ischool.illinois.edu/ .

JOB SUMMARY

The accounting assistant will support purchasing, payment and reimbursement processing, financial recordkeeping, account reconciliation, and customer service for faculty, staff, students, vendors, and campus partners. The position reports to the Director of Budget and Resource Planning and applies University, campus, state, sponsor, and iSchool policies to financial transactions and business processes.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial processing and procurement

• Process purchasing, payment, and reimbursement activity using relevant University systems, which may include iBuy, Banner, Emburse, PCard, TCard, purchase orders, vendor payment requests, journal vouchers, and related tools.
• Prepare or review requisitions, invoices, travel and miscellaneous reimbursement requests, payment documents, purchasing-card and travel-card transactions, and other financial records.
• Verify or assign appropriate accounting codes, including CFOP or other University chart-of-accounts elements.
• Track purchase commitments, payments, reimbursements, and other obligations using University systems and unit-maintained reports or spreadsheets.
• Coordinate with faculty, staff, vendors, and campus offices to resolve documentation, payment, vendor, coding, and purchasing issues.
• Maintain organized financial records and supporting documentation in accordance with University record-retention requirements.

Customer service and operational support

• Serve as a resource for iSchool employees on purchasing, reimbursements, travel, payment processing, financial documentation, and related business procedures.
• Communicate policy and process requirements clearly and professionally to individuals with varying levels of financial experience.
• Support cash/check handling, deposits, invoicing, accounts receivable, and other revenue-related processes in accordance with University policy, when assigned.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise good judgment when working with financial, personnel, student, research, and other sensitive information.
• Reconciliation, reporting, and budget support (20%)
• Review monthly financial reports, transaction detail, account balances, and financial documentation for accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Reconcile expenditures, revenues, outstanding obligations, deposits, reimbursements, and other account activity; identify, research, and resolve discrepancies.

Other

• Perform other related duties as assigned relevant to this position type to enhance the mission of the unit.

ADDITIONAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work takes place in an office setting.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Any one or combination totaling one (1) year (12 months) from the categories below:
• Course work in accounting, as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent: 6 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
• Course work in any discipline as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent: 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
• Work experience in bookkeeping, office support, or closely related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a university, higher-education, research, governmental, or similarly complex financial environment.
• Experience using University of Illinois systems or comparable enterprise systems for purchasing, travel, reimbursements, finance, and reporting.
• Experience with Banner, Emburse, iBuy, PCard, TCard, University reporting tools, or comparable systems.
• Experience processing procurement transactions, vendor payments, reimbursements, expense reports, deposits, invoices, and accounts receivable.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of financial policies, accounting controls, procurement requirements, and record-retention practices.
• Knowledge and familiarity with the Microsoft Office suite of applications.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Interpersonal skills that reflect courtesy, diplomacy, and a collaborative approach to develop and maintain effective work relationships.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines with accuracy. Interruptions are common and the incumbent must be able to switch from one activity to another rapidly.
• Ability to make quick, responsible decisions is essential.Will be expected to maintain standards set in the department, college, and the university guidelines.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service Accounting Assistant position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the search close date. This is a bargained position and as such, the salary is driven by the collective bargaining agreement.The wage for this position is $41,732.08. Hybrid work options may be available for this position after an initial training period, but with the requirement that onsite availability may be needed at any time with short notice.

Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

Company Culture and Benefits

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal , or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [e-mail].