Accounting Assistant | Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency

The Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency (IRMA) is looking for a new Accounting Assistant. This newly created position will assist our Finance Department with audit, budget, payroll, and other administrative tasks, including entering new claims and answering phones. The ideal candidate will have experience in fund accounting, strong Microsoft skills and be a proactive, resourceful and friendly person. We offer excellent benefits, including hybrid remote work, flexible work environment, paid parental leave, IMRF pension, health and life insurance as well as competitive salary. IRMA is a highly respected intergovernmental risk pool providing insurance and risk management/training services to 72 municipalities in the Chicago area. We pride ourselves on our high-quality customer service and benefits to our membership. IRMA has a close-knit team of 22 full time and 2 part time knowledgeable and hardworking employees with long tenure at IRMA. The starting salary for this position is $44K-$55K DOQ.

Position Summary

This hands-on position is responsible for preparing internal financial reports, assisting with the annual audit and budget, performing monthly credit card reconciliations, and miscellaneous billing.  Verifies and is the payroll backup.  This position will also be responsible for various HR related functions such as collecting and reviewing new hire/termination paperwork and calculating health insurance deductions. This position will also provide support to administration by entering claims, processing deposits, answering switchboard and other administrative tasks. The Accounting Assistant is to provide support to all areas while maintaining strict confidentiality and accuracy. 

Position Accountabilities and Essential Functions

•  Prepares monthly training billing, customer payment application, liquor liability applications and billing,
• Verifies and is the back up for the biweekly Paylocity payroll processing.
• Reconciles the credit card purchasing statement.
• Prepares reports for weekly claim counts, litigation management, claim operational numbers, quarterly workers’ compensation focus program reporting; splits and distributes various member reports.  Documents electronic payments.
• Responsible for various HR related functions such as collecting and reviewing new hire/termination paperwork and calculating health insurance deductions.
• Enters claims received from members into claims software.
• Backup for Claims Processor 

1. Processing checks using RiskMaster
2. Deposits

•  Assist with answering switchboard.
• Files, scans, and shreds documents.
• Assists with the monthly customer billing.
• Assists with charts and schedules for various reports.
• Assists with preparing schedules for the annual financial audit and budget.
• Develops and maintains good working relations with the IRMA members and staff and has a positive attitude and willingness to provide exceptional support.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Position Minimum Education, Experience and Qualifications

•  Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance and/or at least two years’ experience in a related field preferred.
•  Knowledge of payroll principles, practices, regulations and procedures.
• Ability to be highly organized and manage time effectively to complete work in a timely and expeditious manner.
• Strong Microsoft Office suite skills and experience, especially Microsoft Excel.
•  Strong Math skills which include ability to add, subtract and multiply numbers, compute percentages and use logic to problem solve. 
• Knowledge and experience in Fund Accounting are desirable.

Critical Mental and Physical Requirements

• Ability to understand and provide written and oral communication
• Ability to retain, recall and analyze information
• Ability to think strategically, discern important from unimportant information and establish priorities
• Ability to function independently with minimal direction

Safety Responsibilities

Demonstrate leadership qualities in Safety through:

•  Maintaining proper housekeeping in his/her office space and in common areas.
• Assisting in identifying and reporting premise hazards to his/her supervisor
• Following all personnel and departmental operating procedures.
• Reporting any ergonomic problems associated with his/her workstation.
• Reporting any accidents or near misses to his/her supervisor before the end of the work shift.
• Following all required early return to work recommendations.
• Fully cooperating with any accident investigations.

Working Conditions

•  Work is performed in a normal office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, temperature, etc.
• At times, the job may require prolonged sitting, typing, monitoring of a screen, etc.  The job incumbent should exercise common sense and take necessary breaks, practice proper body alignment, and alert supervisor of any discomfort, as necessary.