Accountant | Forest Preserve District of Kane County

WORKSITE LOCATION:                        HEADQUARTERS/FVIA, GENEVA, IL

 STARTING PAY RANGE:                      THE FY 2025-2026 SALARY RANGE FOR THE POSITION IS $73,715 TO $96,740. THE EXPECTED STARTING PAY IS $73,715+, DOQ

 HOURS:                                                FULL TIME, 40 HOURS PER WEEK, MONDAY - FRIDAY

 APPLICATION DEADLINE:                  OPEN UNTIL FILLED WITH A FIRST REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS JUNE 30TH

POSITION SUMMARY

Under direction of the Accounting Manager, the Accountant is responsible for accounting functions of the District including managing and developing the cash receipt, payroll and payable functions of the District. The position is also responsible for managing the general ledger, accounts receivable, audit and month-end closing procedures. The Accountant directs the Payroll Coordinator and Accounts Payable Specialist positions on a day-to-day basis. This position also manages key portions of the District’s procurement process and works to purchase a wide range of materials, supplies, services and equipment at the most favorable price consistent with quality, quantity, and specification requirements.

ESSENTIAL POSITION DUTIES & FUNCTIONS

Accounting Duties:

• Provide support to the Accounting Manager to analyze, reconcile, balance and maintain accounting records; assists in the development of departmental budgets and internal financial reports.Prepare financial schedules and financial data to generate reports.
• Provide grant support and guidance to various departments including project detail, vendor payments, cleared checks to ensure efficient grant reporting.
• Assist with reconciling and posting monthly and annual golf activity from the District’s golf management company.
• Evaluate and manage the disbursement, cash receipt, and payroll process; recommend and implement improvements as needed. Must be prepared to provide backup support to those functions as well.
• Assist and backup the Accounting Manager with bank statement reconciliation.
• Prepare monthly journal entries assigned by the Accounting Manager.
• Assist and be a backup to the Accounting Manager to ensure proper month-end closing; prepare month-end adjusting entries and G/Lclosing.
• Participate in the annual audit process by preparing worksheets that are prepared by the District for fieldwork.
• Keep current with labor,IMRF and tax regulations; lead implementation of required changes within the financial software.
• Create all state and federal tax reports, unemployment insurance and IMRF.
• Consult regularly with the Accounting Manager and the Director of Finance on financial information,Board requests and special reports.
• Support Accounting Manager with tracking and reporting of capital assets.
• Audit business contracts for compliance as assigned.

 Procurement Duties:

• Manage the Bonfire E-bidding platform, including all training and updates.
• Analyze, coordinate customer documentation, and recommend and process requisitions and purchase orders.
• Assist Accounting Manager with development and management of P-card program.
• Create and manage purchasing approval process with Amazon business account.
• Meet with department directors and managers to assess needs for materials and services; Act as resource for procuring needs and participate in supplier interface and negotiation.
• Oversee the public bidding process; Prepare and publish bid proposals, schedules and conduct bid openings; Prepare bid tabulations, together with department staff make recommendations for bid award; Implement award documents; and ensure all legal requirements are met.
• Conduct follow-up with vendors awarded bids; Secure certificates of insurance, bonds, etc.; ensure all necessary paperwork and staff approvals are submitted prior to vendor payment.
• Oversee the preparation, distribution, and awarding of Requests for Proposals (RFP) for services, the execution of contracts for services and the compliance to contracts.
• Negotiate with suppliers; Analyze requests for extensions or amendments to existing contracts and make decision for approval or alternative solutions and convey to management.
• Perform statistical analysis of market conditions and District needs to determine necessary changes in contracting strategy.
• Oversee the ordering of supplies and materials: develop and oversee procedures to accomplish this including the purchasing credit card and the issuance of purchase orders.
• Audit materials and services for purchase price and quality to ensure proper compliance with contracts.
• Support departments in planning the timely execution of annual or multi-year contracts and prepare necessary contract documents.
• Act as a chief resource for State of Illinois Purchasing Contract Agreements and all other joint purchasing agencies and related government pricing plans.
• Edit and update the Purchasing Policy and Procedures Manual.
• Manage the disposal process of surplus vehicles, equipment and other assets.

 General Duties:

• Hire, train, supervise and evaluate full-time staff assigned.
• Maintain excellent interdepartmental communication within the District through  verbal and written means.
• Attend professional conferences, workshops and seminars as appropriate within budget parameters and with Department Head approval.
• Obtain and maintain all required licenses and certifications and keep up-to-date on professional trends and developments related to position accountabilities.
• Perform the job safely and in compliance with District policies, procedures, work and safety rules, the Employee Handbook, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Possess and maintains a valid and current Illinois Driver’s License free from suspension or revocation during term of employment; must maintain insurability with the District’s fleet insurance carrier.

 Staff Supervision:

• Payroll Coordinator and Accounts Payable Specialist; carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.

       Additional duties and functions may be essential.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum Age Requirement: 21yearsold.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field required.
• Experience: Three (3) years of accounting experience, preferably in governmental accounting. Two (2) years in a supervisory role and public procurement certifications preferred.
• Additional: Knowledge and experience with the NewWorld System and Bonfire e-bidding platform is a plus.

Compensation and Benefits

The FY 2025-2026 salary range for the position is $73,715 to $96,740. The expected starting pay is $73,715+, DOQ. This position is exempt and eligible for the District’s full-time benefits. Interested applicants may learn more about the District’s competitive compensation program and benefit plans here.  

ADA Persons requiring reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act are asked to contact the Human Resources Department at 630-208-8662 or by email at HRForest@kaneforest.com.                                                          

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER