Chicago State University

Chief Accountant

Chicago State University$95K — $110K *
Legal & Accounting
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in accountancy or equivalent coursework
  • 3 years of accounting experience in an administrative or supervisory role
  • 3 years of professional level accounting experience consistent with lower levels in the series
  • Preferred: Advanced degree in accountancy or CPA registration may substitute for one year of experience

Responsibilities

  • Direct the entire accounting operation and manage staff development
  • Maintain working relationships with employees, administrators, and the public
  • Oversee the development and use of automated accounting information systems
  • Guide the preparation of annual reports and financial statements for stakeholders
  • Adapt and revise the accounting system to meet university needs
  • Handle tasks related to lower-level accounting roles
  • Perform additional related duties as assigned

Benefits

  • Eligible for health, dental, and life insurance
  • Access to a comprehensive list of benefits through Chicago State University
Full Job Description
Posting Details

Position Information

Posting Number
S26355P

Posting Date
04/29/2026

Closing Date
05/04/2026

Title
Chief Accountant

Working Title
Chief Accountant

Salary Range
$95,000.00 - $110,000.00 Annually

Employee Class
Civil Service

Department
Accounting and Financial Reporting

Full-time/ Part-time
Full-time

Specialization

Incumbent must be able to:
  1. Directs the accounting operation with full management responsibility, including the development of staff and establishment of goals and objectives for an institutional accounting program.
  2. Maintains a successful working relationship with other employees, administrators, and the public and deals tactfully with controversial problems.
  3. Provides administrative direction in the development and/or utilization of automated information systems within the accounting process which supplies needed data to be used in making administrative decisions.
  4. Provides administrative direction in the preparation of annual reports and financial statements for the university administration, state and federal agencies reflecting the status of the entire institution.
  5. Manages the development, adaptation, and revision of accounting system to meet the needs of the university.
  6. Performs work related to the lower level in this series of Assistant Chief Accountant, Accountant III, II and I
  7. Performs other related duties as assigned.


Hours Per Week
37.5 Hours Per Week

Standard Work Week
Monday through Friday

Benefits

This position is eligible for health, dental, life insurance and other benefits through Chicago State University. Click here for a complete list of benefits: https://csu.edu/humanresources/benefits.htm

Job Summary

Directs the accounting operation with full management responsibility, including the development of staff and establishment of goals and objectives for an institutional accounting program.

Job Description
  1. Maintains a successful working relationship with other employees, administrators, and the pubic and deals tactfully with controversial problems.
  2. Provides administrative direction in the development and/or utilization of automated information systems within the accounting process which supplies needed data to be used in making administrative decisions.
  3. Provides administrative direction in the preparation of annual reports and financial statements for the University administration, state and federal agencies reflecting the status of the entire institution.
  4. Manages the development, adaptation, and revision of the accounting system to meet the needs of the University.
  5. Performs work related to the lower level in the Accountant series.
  6. Performs other related duties as assigned.


Minimum Qualifications

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

  1. Bachelor's degree with a major in accountancy (or equivalent course work)
  2. A total of three (3) years (36 months) of accounting experience in an administrative or supervisory capacity
  3. A total of three (3) years (36 months) of additional years of experience in professional level accounting work consistent with the next lower level of this series


Preferred Qualifications

An advanced degree in accountancy or registration as a Certified Public Accountant may be substituted for one year of professional experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)
  1. Problem-solving (Ability to tell when something is wrong; inclination towards solving problems)
  2. In-depth accounting knowledge (Up-to-date knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, as well as relevant laws and regulations; ability to apply accounting theory to very complex accounting problems)
  3. Independent decision making (Ability to exercise independent judgment)
  4. Communication skills (Ability to relay information in speaking so others will understand and to understand what others say)
  5. Customer service orientation (Ability to assess customer needs, meet quality standards for service, and evaluate customer satisfaction)
  6. Organization and time management (Ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order according to a specific set of rules)
  7. Conflict solving (Ability to deal tactfully with controversial problems)
  8. Computer knowledge (Working knowledge of computers, computer systems, and accounting software)
  9. Supervisory skills (Ability to direct and manage the activities of subordinates engaged in accounting activities)
  10. Written composition (Ability to compose complex written material; knowledge of grammar and punctuation, spelling, etc.)
  11. Math skills (Ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem and to efficiently solve mathematical problems)
  12. Clerical knowledge (Knowledge of word processing, managing files and records, designing forms, managing inventory, etc.)


Additional Applicant Information

Physical Requirement/ Demands

Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.

Work Environment
  • General office work environment.
  • No adverse environmental conditions expected.

About Chicago State University

Chicago State University is a Predominantly Black, public university in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1867 as the Cook County Normal School, it was an innovative teachers college. Eventually the Chicago Public Schools assumed control of the school and it became Chicago Teachers College. Northeastern Illinois University began as a branch campus of CTC. In 1951, the State of Illinois began funding the college, and assumed control in 1965, transforming it into a comprehensive state college. In 1967, it became Chicago State University. CSU is a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Learn more about Chicago State University

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