JOB POSTING

The primary responsibility of this position is to administer and supervise the System’s accounting functions to assure compliance with state and federal requirements.

Education Requirements: 

A bachelor’s degree in accounting, economics, finance or business administration is required.  A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation is preferred.

Experience: 

A minimum of five years accounting, bookkeeping or financial experience is required.  Direct supervision of an accounting unit is preferred.

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities: 

This position plans and directs the activities of the accounting unit.  This position will supervise the maintenance of the general ledger including summarizing investment transactions and the preparation and review of financial reports detailing the System’s financial status.   This position will supervise the collection and deposit of member and employer contributions.  In addition, this position will supervise the processing of cash disbursements for the System’s administrative expenses and petty cash account.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: 

This position requires thorough knowledge and understanding of accounting principles, methods and procedures and the ability to interpret statutes governing the Teachers' Retirement System and its’ administrative policies and procedures.  The incumbent must have a working knowledge of the regulations from the Illinois Office of the Comptroller to ensure compliance with the Statewide Accounting Management Systems (SAMS).

Selection Criteria: 

ANALYTICAL SKILLS

Analyzes information and reviews problems thoroughly; determines the nature and relationship of situations.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Demonstrates effective oral and written communication skills.  This includes the ability to organize ideas and speak effectively in public situations, to small groups or one-on-one as well as the ability to demonstrate good listening skills including the ability to receive, attend to, interpret and respond to verbal messages and non-verbal cues when conversing with others.  In addition, the position requires the ability to compose and edit specified documents in a clear, concise and well-structured manner.

COMPUTATIONAL SKILLS

The ability to select the appropriate calculation (or formula) to solve a specific problem; and, the ability to accurately derive an answer by using mathematical calculations.

COMPUTER SKILLS

A general understanding of and familiarity with microcomputer applications and demonstrable proficiency with Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

Ability to interact effectively with various levels of management.  Ability to communicate well with subordinates.

JOB KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

Has completed specified amount of time previously performing essential duties of the job and/or has completed specified degrees, coursework, or training programs to perform the job.  Possesses a body of information or level of understanding necessary to complete assigned responsibilities.

MANAGEMENT SKILLS

The ability to effectively use and supervise human and material resources to achieve the goals and objectives of an organization.

---

JOB DESCRIPTION

Purpose:

Under the direction of the Chief Financial Officer, the Accounting Manager administers and supervises the agency accounting functions to assure compliance with state and federal requirements.

Nature and Scope:

This position is responsible for assigning and reviewing subordinates’ work, preparing performance appraisals, effectively recommending and imposing disciplinary action and handling employee complaints.  Primary responsibilities of this position include supervising the processing of cash receipts and cash disbursements and the recording of financial information in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices.  With primary access to all fiscal and accounting data, this position plays a lead role in the preparation of the annual financial report.

This position supervises the maintenance of the general ledger function including the summarizing of all investment accounting transactions and the preparation and review of financial reports detailing the financial status of TRS.  The incumbent must have a thorough knowledge of accounting principles, methods and procedures.  The incumbent must also have a thorough understanding of and the ability to interpret statutes governing the Teachers' Retirement System and its administrative policies and procedures as well as regulations from the Illinois Office of the Comptroller to ensure compliance with the Statewide Accounting Management Systems (SAMS).

The greatest challenge of this position is to uniformly integrate all Accounting Department functions while supervising and directing staff.

Principal Accountabilities:

1. Direct the preparation of the monthly TRS general ledger. Assure timely and accurate entry of all transactions.  Review and approve monthly and annual journal entries. 
2. Direct the receipt of payments, the processing of deposits and the reconciliation of any discrepancies.
3. Direct the processing of invoice vouchers for payment and the collection of accounts receivable.
4. Oversee the administration of the TRS budget process. Review monthly expense reports and variance analysis related to the TRS budget. 
5. Review and approve quarterly administrative expense reports and quarterly financial statements prepared by staff prior to submission to the TRS Board of Trustees and annual financial statements included in the TRS Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
6. Summarize and prepare financial data for inclusion in the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. 
7. Review and approve monthly and quarterly reconciliation reports and other reports prepared by staff, such as the Annual Compliance Report and Public Accountability Report.
8. Review the annual Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) reporting package for accuracy.
9. Analyze new Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) statements and oversee implementation as applicable.
10. Serve as a resource for the annual external financial and compliance audit.
11. Plan and direct the Accounting Department’s involvement in new systems, system enhancements and initiatives such as TRS STAR, employer and member communications and meetings, proposed legislative and rules changes, banking issues, etc.
12. Communicate with employers, members, staff, master trustee bank and state agencies on accounting-related matters.
13. Ensure that procedures and policies for the Accounting Department functions are documented and kept updated.
14. Log and Monitor D365 system failures, queries and requests in MYSHS0.com and escalate cases for resolution when necessary.
15. Perform other duties as required or assigned.