Staff Accountant

Aurora University; Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurora University seeks a Staff Accountant to provide comprehensive accounting and financial reporting support within the Business Office. You will contribute to accurate financial reporting, cross-train across functions, and adapt to changing priorities to ensure continuity of services.

You will develop proficiency across multiple accounting functions, support payroll and internal controls, and collaborate with colleagues to improve processes and deliver excellent service to students, staff,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• One to three years of progressively responsible accounting experience preferred.
• CPA or CPA candidate preferred; experience in higher education or nonprofit accounting is a plus.
• Knowledge of GAAP; general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Proficiency with Colleague ERP; strong Microsoft Excel and Word skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform general accounting functions supporting the university's financial operations, including journal entries, reconciliations, and month-end/year-end close.
• Maintain responsibility for assigned general ledger accounts and ensure transactions are recorded and reconciled per policy and GAAP.
• Support multiple accounting workflows across cash management, payroll, accounts payable, student accounts, financial aid, and grants.
• Serve as payroll backup and maintain knowledge of payroll tax reporting and compliance.
• Assist in preparing financial reports, analyses, regulatory filings, and audits.

Skills

Analytical

Organizational

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Multi-tasking

Communication

Independent work

Customer service

Willingness to learn

Excel

Word

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/Business Admin

CPA or CPA candidate (preferred)

Tools

Colleague ERP

Excel

Word

Job description

Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.

AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples’ lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.

We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits that can be found

Position Purpose

The Staff Accountant supports learning by providing comprehensive accounting, financial reporting, and analytical support for the Business Office. As a versatile member of the Business Office team, this position performs a wide range of accounting responsibilities while supporting the Aurora University's financial operations, reporting, compliance, and internal control environment. The Staff Accountant demonstrates a willingness to learn all aspects of Aurora University accounting operations, effectively cross-trains across functional areas, and adapts to changing priorities to ensure continuity of Business Office services. The Staff Accountant is expected to develop proficiency across multiple accounting functions and serve as a flexible Business Office resource capable of supporting changing operational needs. Through collaboration and continuous learning, this position contributes to accurate financial reporting, operational excellence, and exceptional service to the Aurora University community.

Core Competencies

• Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers and the community we serve. Interacts effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and vendors, and uses operating practices of the department and Aurora University.
• Upholds the Mission Statement: At Aurora University, our singular goal is to empower students to achieve lasting personal and professional success. We do this by being an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. As a teaching-centered institution, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful and purposeful lives.
• Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business.
• Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned, including voluntary participation in university committees, activities and events.

Essential Job Functions

• Perform general accounting functions supporting the Aurora University's financial operations, including journal entries, account reconciliations, financial analysis, and month-end and year-end closing activities.
• Maintain responsibility for assigned general ledger accounts and accounting processes, ensuring transactions are accurately recorded, reconciled, and supported in accordance with Aurora University policies and generally accepted accounting principles.
• Develop a broad understanding of Aurora University business operations and accounting workflows, providing accounting support across multiple functional areas including cash management, payroll, accounts payable, student accounts, financial aid, grants, fixed assets, treasury, and other assigned areas as business needs require.
• Serve as a backup for payroll processing and maintain a working knowledge of payroll procedures, tax reporting, and related compliance requirements.
• Assist with preparation of financial reports, account analyses, regulatory filings, and documentation supporting internal and external audits.
• Maintain strong internal controls through accurate documentation, reconciliations, adherence to Aurora University policies, and compliance with applicable accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues throughout the Aurora University to resolve accounting issues, improve business processes, and provide responsive, professional customer service to faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to enhance accounting processes, increase efficiency, strengthen internal controls, and improve service to the Aurora University community.
• Demonstrate flexibility by learning new accounting functions, cross-training with other Business Office staff, and providing coverage during peak workload periods, vacations, or staff transitions.
• Contribute to a culture of excellence through professionalism, accountability, teamwork, continuous learning, and a commitment to the Aurora University's mission and values.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education

Essential Job Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience

• One to three years of progressively responsible accounting experience preferred. Equivalent combination of education, internships, and relevant experience will be considered.

Preferred:

• CPA or CPA candidate.
• Experience in higher education or nonprofit accounting.
• Experience with Colleague ERP.

Knowledge:

• Working knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Understanding of general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and strong internal controls.

Skills

• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• High degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet established deadlines.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as a collaborative team member.
• Commitment to providing outstanding customer service to internal and external constituents.
• Demonstrated willingness to learn new accounting functions and support cross-functional Business Office operations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and other Microsoft Office applications.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to move about campus and other locations.
• Ability to sit or stand for prolonged periods of time.

The pay range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted amount the university reasonably expects to pay for this position. The final pay rate will not be below the lowest pay rate listed herein.

Benefit-eligible positions offer excellent benefits including health, dental, life, vision, long term disability, a 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA, and tuition remission.

Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Aurora University offers competitive, flexible benefits to eligible employees.

• Health Insurance Choice of HMO or PPO offered through BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois.
• Dental and Vision Insurance Choice of two dental plans and vision insurance offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield.
• Life Insurance and AD&D 1.5 times annual salary, dependent on age. Additional life insurance also may be purchased for self, spouse, and children.
• Long Term Disability 60% of salary, taxable and nontaxable options.
• TIAA Retirement Account The University offers a 403b retirement plan, administered by TIAA. Matching contributions offered first day of employment to eligible employees, at the discretion of the University and Board of Directors.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) FSAs are available for medical costs and dependent care costs.
• Paid Time Off Vacation, personal, and sick leave are provided to eligible employees.
• Holidays The university observes nine major holidays where the university is closed.
• Tuition Assistance Tuition assistance for AU undergraduate courses is available to eligible employees and eligible family members beginning the term following one (1) year of regular, full-time employment. Tuition assistance for graduate programs paid at 60% for employee following Senior Leadership approval.
• Tuition Exchange Consortiums AU is a member of the Tuition Exchange (TE) and the Council of Independent Colleges Tuition Exchange Program (CIC-TEP) enabling full-time employees and eligible family members to be eligible for tuition assistance at more than 600 universities nationwide. Eligibility for the CIC-TEP and TE programs is one (1) year of regular, full-time employment as of 8/31.