Chief Accountant | Village of Island Lake

The Village of Island Lake (pop. 8051) is seeking a highly motivated, detail-oriented, and skilled professional to serve as a Chief Accountant.   This full-time position offers an opportunity to play a vital role in the financial operations of a growing, forward-thinking municipal organization while working in a scenic, growing and diverse community with a strong sense of pride and public service.

 About the Role

Reporting to a part-time Finance Director, the Chief Accountant performs advanced professional-level accounting and financial reporting functions in support of the Village’s financial operations, including general ledger management, payroll administration, benefits administration, audit coordination, accounts payable, utility billing and financial reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepares and posts monthly journal entries to the general ledger, including interest allocations, recurring transfers, revenue recognition, and interfund activity
• Posts subsidiary ledger entries, closes monthly and annual financial periods, records daily cash receipts prepares year-end accrual and adjusting entries
•  Oversees payroll operations, including coordination of departmental payroll entries, processing payroll through BS&A, preparation of payroll reports and remittances, and oversight of W-2 distribution
•  Administers employee health, dental, and life insurance programs and serves as a primary point of contact for employee and retiree benefit inquiries
•  Plays a key role in preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, including drafting the Management’s Discussion and Analysis, preparing audit schedules, and compiling the Statistical Section and serves as a primary point of contact.
•  Participates in financial system enhancements
•  Reviews accounting and financial documents to ensure accuracy, proper authorization, and compliance with applicable policies and regulations
•  Maintains organized financial records in accordance with record retention requirements
•  Demonstrates courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with the public and       staff and contributes to a positive, professional, and effective workplace environment

What We Are Looking For

The ideal candidate is reliable, detail-oriented, and committed to public service, with the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and confidentiality.  The right candidate will be ready to move into a financial leadership position within one to two years. 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field
• One (1) to three (3) years of experience in accounting, payroll, or financial administration
• Strong working knowledge of accounting principles
• Ability to work independently, meet deadlines and manage routine and recurring tasks
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Experience

• Experience in municipal or public-sector finance
• Familiarity with benefits administration, and audit support

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated starting range for the position is $75,000 - $95,000 DOQ. In addition to compensation, the Village offers an excellent benefits package with participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF); medical, dental, and life insurance; paid holidays; and paid vacation, sick, and personal leave. Optional deferred compensation and supplemental life insurance plans available.

Send inquiries to Georgine Cooper, Village Clerk: georgine.cooper@voislk.com.