Staff Accountant

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 here.

Position Purpose:

The Staff Accountant supports learning by providing accounting and analytical support for the Business Office. The Staff Accountant assists with payroll, general ledger transactions, grant accounting and reporting, fixed asset reconciliations, as well as financial statement and tax return preparation.

Core Competencies:

  1. 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 other customers of our service, learns and uses operating practices of the department and Aurora University.
  2. Upholds the Mission Statement: Aurora University is 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 examined lives. We empower our students to achieve lasting personal and professional success.
  3. Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business.
  4. Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned.

Essential Job Functions:

  1. Preparation of monthly general ledger close in coordination with other team members.
  2. Preparation of journal entries and account reconciliations.
  3. Assist with preparation of financial statements and schedules for internal reporting.
  4. Backup in the preparation of payroll and related payroll tax filings.
  5. Assist with preparation of reconciliations and documentation for annual external audit.
  6. Conform with and abide by all regulatory guidance, and internal policies and procedures.
  7. Other duties as assigned.

Essential Job Requirements:

Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field.
  • 2-5 years of accounting/general ledger experience.

Experience:

  • Public accounting audit experience.
  • Experience with complex ERP systems.
  • Experience working in higher education and/or other not-for-profit settings.

Skills:

  • Excellent interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills.
  • Highly organized, detail-oriented, and accurate.
  • Able to maintain strong internal control environment, including supporting documentation and authorizations.
  • Strong analytical skills as required for account analysis and reconciliation.
  • Expertise with using Microsoft Excel for further data analysis.
  • Able to handle multiple priorities and effectively meet deadlines as required.

Physical Requirements:

  • Ability to interact verbally in person, over telephone, and via various media.
  • Ability to move about campus and other locations.
  • Ability to sit or stand for prolonged periods of time.

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

To apply, please send resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references including name, telephone, and email address.

Aurora University
Human Resources
347 South Gladstone Ave
Aurora, IL 60506
jobs@aurora.edu - email

Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.