Staff Accountant

State Universities Retirement System of Illinois•Champaign, IL

11h•Hybrid

About The Position

SURS is seeking a Staff Accountant as a resource in the finance department, with a focus on tax reporting for SURS benefit recipients. The responsibilities involve preparing, coordinating, and distributing timely and accurate financial, statistical, tax, or qualitative information as needed to SURS employees, external auditors, members, vendors, other designated agencies of the State of Illinois or the U.S. Government, or other persons to ensure SURS remain compliant with relevant laws and regulations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree with a major in Accountancy or a related field AND two (2) years of professional level accounting experience.
Possession of current registration as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant, or a valid license to practice Public Accounting (LPA).
Master's degree in Accountancy or a related field.
Ability to research complex accounting, financial, and tax reporting matters.
Strong problem-solving skills, a curiosity of how systems/processes work, and a desire to improve systems/processes when appropriate.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including comfort with analyzing and manipulating large data sets.
Ability to learn new computer systems quickly.
Self-driven with the ability to work independently as needed.
Strong time management skills with a deadline-oriented focus.
Ability to work in a continuously changing environment with numerous filing deadlines.
Excellent verbal, analytical, organizational, and written skills, including ability to read and write technical material with specific terminology.

Nice To Haves

Experience with taxation is helpful but not necessary.
Certified Public Accountant designation is a plus, but not necessary.
GAAP and/or GASB accounting experience.

Responsibilities

Oversight of the SURS Excess Benefit Arrangement (EBA): Perform §415(b) eligibility testing for finalized benefit claims, Coordinate EBA benefit payments/schedules with other SURS departments, Issue written communications to EBA benefit recipients, Process monthly and one-off EBA benefit payments, Record EBA-related journal entries, Perform annual §415(b) eligibility re-testing for existing benefit recipients, Prepare Forms W-2 for EBA benefit recipients, Develop expertise in Internal Revenue Code §415(b) and related regulations, Answer questions from members and other SURS departments
Form 1099-R annual preparation: Reconcile year-to-date benefit payment and withholding data, Research and fix potential 1099-R errors and inconsistencies, Coordinate 1099-R preparation responsibilities with multiple departments, Investigate issues and answer questions from members and other departments
Form 1042-S annual preparation: Reconcile year-to-date benefit payment and withholding data, Research and fix potential 1042-S errors and inconsistencies, Investigate issues and answer questions from members and other departments
Perform testing related to areas of responsibility in the new pension administration system scheduled to go live in 2028.
Other duties as assigned.