GAAP ACCOUNTANT

Position Summary

The Department of Central Management Services (CMS) is seeking an accounting professional to play an important role in the State’s financial reporting and GAAP processes. Working under the administrative direction of the GAAP Coordinator, you’ll be part of a team responsible for a broad range of accounting and financial activities - from analyzing financial information and preparing journal entries to developing financial reports and supporting the preparation of fund financial statements.

This position offers the opportunity to work with complex governmental accounting concepts, strengthen your technical accounting skills, and contribute directly to the accuracy and integrity of the State’s financial reporting. If you’re looking for meaningful work, professional growth, and the opportunity to make a difference through your accounting expertise, we invite you to apply.

State of Illinois Benefits

As a State of Illinois employee, you receive a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans.
• Flexible work schedules (when available and dependent upon position).
• 10 -25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment).
• 12 days of paid sick time annually which carryover year to year.
• 3 paid personal business days per year.
• 13-14 paid holidays per year dependent on election years.
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System.
• Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan.
• Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP).
• Tuition Reimbursement Program and Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility.

For more information regarding State of Illinois Benefits follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx

If this opportunity appeals to you, please apply today!

Position Essential Functions

• Under administrative direction of the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) Coordinator, performs a broad range of accounting and financial activities for the Department of Central Management Services (CMS), leading up to the preparation of fund financial statements and the annual GAAP reporting process.

• Prepares monthly, quarterly, and other financial reports and reconciliations for internal use or as required by the Comptroller for the funds assigned, including reconciliations of cash, appropriations, expenditures, fixed assets, accounts receivable, accounts payable, lapse period expenditures and other required or assigned financial reports for supervisory or management review.

• Completes Comptroller financial reporting State Comptroller’s Office (SCO) forms (both computerized and manual) for use in the annual GAAP reporting process.

• Works with external, internal auditors and other applicable parties as assigned, to answer questions or explain records or the information provided in the GAAP packages or other financial reports.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a bachelor’s degree other than accounting is acceptable if it includes at least twenty-four (24) credit hours in accounting courses towards such degree.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers working knowledge of accounting theory, principles, methods, and procedures.
• Prefers working knowledge of office methods, procedures, and standard office software packages (i.e., Microsoft Outlook, Access, Excel, Word, etc.).
• Prefers one (1) year of professional experience preparing complete financial statements (balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement, footnotes) in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Prefers one (1) year of professional experience effectively developing and maintaining cooperative working relationships.
• Prefers a registered or licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or the necessary requirements for licensure pending completion of the exam and work experience.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This may require the ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties.
• Requires the ability to use agency technology/equipment (i.e., mobile phone, laptop, etc.) properly in accordance with information security awareness policies and confidentiality guidelines.
• Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

Central Management Services (CMS) is the State of Illinois’ central operational support agency, the team that keeps government running smoothly behind the scenes. We provide the essential services that enable more than 80 agencies, boards, and commissions to serve the people of Illinois effectively. As the backbone of state operations, CMS delivers high‑quality, reliable, and forward‑thinking services that help government programs work efficiently and meet the needs of residents statewide.

Our vision is to be the trusted partner dedicated to the success of the State of Illinois through service, optimization, and inclusion. Our mission is to be the accessible agency that delivers essential, effective, and efficient services to State agencies and the people of Illinois. Our core values are: Trusted, Strategic, Effective, Innovative, Responsive, and Inclusive. Through strategic leadership CMS plays a vital role in strengthening the effectiveness of Illinois State government.

CMS provides a broad portfolio of statewide services through specialized bureaus such as: Administrative Hearings • African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission • Statewide Benefits • Communication and Information • Diversity and Inclusion • Fleet Administration • Labor Relations • Operational Excellence • Statewide Personnel • Property Management • Strategic Sourcing • Surplus Equipment Control.

CMS also operates internal service bureaus that support our agency’s own effectiveness and efficiency, including,: Internal Audit • Finance and Management • Government Affairs • Human Resources • Legal Services • Strategic Transformation.

Professionals who join CMS become part of a mission‑driven organization committed to continuous improvement and public service excellence. CMS offers the opportunity to contribute to impactful statewide initiatives, collaborate with skilled and talented colleagues, shape strategic improvements across Illinois government, and support the operational foundation that allows state agencies to better serve the residents of Illinois. CMS is a place for people who want their work to matter; where innovation, service, and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do.