Accounting Manager

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 141,000 - 148,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equal opportunity employer

Disability accommodation

Job summary

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District is seeking a seasoned accounting/finance leader to supervise professional and administrative staff in core financial functions. The role requires a strong background in budgeting, reporting, and compliance, with potential CPA substitutions for education.

Minimum qualifications include a 4-year degree in accounting/finance (MBA preferred) and substantial professional experience, with a probationary period of one year and opportunities within a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance or MBA with accounting/finance concentration.
• Six years of professional accounting/finance experience, two in supervision.
• CPA certification may substitute for the required education.

Responsibilities

• Direct and coordinate professional and administrative staff in accounting/treasury tasks.
• Oversee budgeting, reporting, payroll, GL, and contract management.
• Assess solutions, ensure compliance with policies and legal requirements.

Skills

Accounting

Finance

Supervision

Oral communication

Written communication

Budgeting

Data management

Planning

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

MBA with accounting/finance concentration

Job description

Original Entrance - Introduction

The salary listed above is Step 1 in a structured pay plan. At 6 months of employment with the District, the salary will increase to Step 2: $141,049.48. At 18 months, the salary will increase to Step 3: $148,497.96. There are 9 total steps for TAM 18 of the pay plan (view fullpay plan). These increases are based on service time in the job classification and require a 'Meets Standard' performance rating.

This examination is open to all candidates, both internal and external, who meet the minimum requirements.

Descriptions and dates of education, experience and any required license or certification should be very clear so that it is understood exactly how the applicant meets the minimum requirements. Prospective employees will be required to provide documentation of the required education, experience and licensure/certification upon employment. Falsification of a material statement in an application may constitute grounds for rejection of the application, exclusion from the examination, removal from the eligible list, or discharge of an employee from his or her position in the Classified Service.

Minimum Requirement Date: The minimum requirements for this examination must be met by the qualification date listed in this announcement.

Residency Requirement: There is no residency requirement to participate in the examination; however, all District employees must be domiciled within the boundaries of the District within six months of successful completion of probation. (The District is in Cook County, Illinois, covering approximately 90% of the county area.)

Veterans' Preference: In Original Entrance examinations, five points for Veterans' Preference will be added, in accordance with the District statute, to the scores of those candidates who attain a passing score in all phases of the examination. Information regarding the periods of eligible service, the documentation needed to file a claim and Veterans' Preference claim forms can be obtained through the District's website, by clickinghere, or requested at the test site.

Probationary Period: The probationary period for this classification is one year (250 days worked).

Hiring and Employment Objectives: The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago is committed to hiring and employment practices that base employee selection on a candidate's knowledge, skill and ability to perform effectively on the job; provide equal employment opportunity to all applicants; prohibit the entry of political reasons or factors and other improper considerations into any stage of the selection and hiring processes; and create a transparent, honest and fair hiring system.

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D

Reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities will be made in accordance with applicable laws. Requests for testing accommodations are to be made within one week after the close of the filing period. For information regarding accommodation for individuals with disabilities, phone [phone] (voice) or [phone] (TTY).

Original Entrance - Examination

Duties: Under general supervision, directs and coordinates professional and administrative staff in the performance of a variety of accounting and/or treasury activities which may include fund accounting, managerial accounting, auditing, report preparation, contract management, budget preparation, general ledger maintenance, payroll functions, accounts receivable functions, accounts payable functions, cash management and forecasting, bond sale execution and reporting requirements, interpretation and implementation of policies and legal requirements, and information systems management.

Minimum Requirements: Graduation from a four-year accredited college or university majoring in accounting or finance, or possession of a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree with a concentration in accounting or finance. Six years of professional accounting or finance experience, two years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity. SUBSTITUTION: Graduate study in accounting or finance may be substituted for the required non-supervisory experience on a year-for-year basis, to a maximum of two years. Certification as a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Illinois, or a state which has reciprocity with Illinois, may be substituted for the required education.

Examination: The examination will consist of an oral test, including a written exercise, weighted 100%. The minimum passing score on the oral test will be 70% unless determined otherwise by the Director of Human Resources. Candidates must achieve a passing score to have their names placed on the eligible list.

The oral test will assess candidates' knowledge, skill and ability in areas such as accounting concepts; governmental budgeting and fiscal processes; supervisory concepts; organizational and management concepts; problem-solving; data management; planning and organizing; interpersonal effectiveness; and written and oral communication.

Examination Process: All applicants will be advised by email if they have been admitted to the examination process. Applicants who do not receive a response to their application by Friday, October 23, 2026 should contact the Employee Selection Office at [phone].

ORAL TEST: The oral test is tentatively scheduled for Friday, November 6, 2026 and Saturday, November 7, 2026 (if necessary to accommodate the number of candidates). Candidates will be informed by email of the date, time and location of the oral test.

Original Entrance - Appointments

Appointments will be made from an eligible list with three categories: A (Exceptionally Well Qualified), B (Well Qualified) and C (Qualified). Candidates in the highest category will be given first consideration for appointment. This examination is also being given on a Promotional basis. In instances where both Original Entrance and Promotional eligible lists result from an examination process, it is the District's practice to appoint only from the Promotional eligible list until all names from that list have been considered. The eligible list has a duration of three years. Appointment is subject to successfully passing a physical examination, a drug test and a criminal history background investigation.