Administrative Support V (Accountant)

Cook County Clerk's Office•Chicago, IL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Administrative Support V (Accountant – Tax Services) works in the Accounting Department’s RE&TS Division of the Office of the Cook County Clerk. Reporting directly to the Manager of Accounting and Finance, the position reviews financial documentation to ensure accounting data is accurate and timely and provides that data to the Manager and Deputy Clerk of Real Estate and Tax Services for financial statement preparation. The role performs financial record-keeping duties, including revenue collection, recording, classification, journalizing, and analysis, and supports the division in meeting Cook County revenue reporting requirements. The position supports revenue reporting, reconciles cashier collection reports, researches account-balancing discrepancies, oversees refund-related accounts payable activities, manages accounts receivable and subsidiary ledgers, and maintains financial records for audits and records-retention purposes. It also supports escheatment processing, armored-car pickup and delivery documentation, and other general accounting duties as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, or Finance from an accredited college or university.
Three years of full-time work experience in the daily management of accounts or financial records.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365.
Proficiency in Great Plains or similar accounting software.
Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office 365.
Knowledge of Cook County ordinances regarding pricing for revenue collection.
Knowledge or understanding of the Illinois Property Tax Code.
Knowledge of Great Plains accounting software.
Understanding of revenue cycle management.
Basic knowledge and understanding of GAAP.
Skill in using software programs to manipulate and track financial data.
Ability to utilize calculators, databases, and bank accounts.
Ability to use computer systems to create and maintain computerized bookkeeping records and run database reports.
Ability to perform accurate calculations and computations in connection with accounting assignments.
Ability to write clearly and coherently.
Ability to work independently and make decisions in accordance with established policies and regulations.
Ability to manage time and meet reporting deadlines.
Ability to exercise good judgment relating to customer service.
Ability to communicate objectively and work well with fellow employees and customers.
Ability to work on a computer for extended periods, with vision and typing capability; stand and walk for moderate periods; sit for at least two hours at a time; and lift up to 10 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Accounting, Business, or Finance from an accredited college or university, or a CPA designation.
Five years of full-time work experience in government accounting and/or government auditing.
Knowledge of the Illinois Property Tax Code.

Responsibilities

Perform accounting functions supporting the Real Estate and Tax Services Division’s revenue reporting.
Validate, reconcile, and consolidate prior-day cashier collection reports.
Research, track, and resolve financial account-balancing issues and discrepancies.
Oversee the division’s refund-payment accounts payable function, including monitoring and printing checks and preparing weekly refund reports.
Resolve customer issues or discrepancies related to refunds.
Meet internal deadlines assigned by the Deputy Clerk of Real Estate and Tax Services or designee.
Maintain and update subsidiary ledgers.
Manage the accounts receivable process and create and maintain the Accounts Receivable Aging Report.
Facilitate collection of checks returned for insufficient funds.
Maintain finance and cashiering documents for internal and external audits and destroy documents in accordance with applicable retention standards.
Process, track, and submit escheatment letters to the State of Illinois.
Provide backup support for other general accounting duties in the RE&TS Division.
Record, verify, monitor, and sign off on armored-car pickups and deliveries.
Assist with records management, including check destruction, storage of key records, and updating the records application in accordance with State of Illinois retention requirements.
Perform other duties as required by the Deputy Clerk of Real Estate and Tax Services or designee.