Senior Accountant & AP

26-SAAP


The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is seeking to fill a critical role with a detail oriented and analytical professional to serve as the Senior Accountant & AP for the Controllers division. Under the general direction of the Chief Accountant/Manager, this position will be critical in reviewing, analyzing, and monitoring vendor payments, encumbrances, and accounts payable activities across multiple funds, including the General Fund, Capital Projects Fund and Debt Service Fund. The incumbent will ensure compliance with internal controls, payment policies, and reporting requirements while maintaining accuracy and timeliness of all AP transactions.


A new era has begun for transit in the Chicago region. The Illinois General Assembly recently passed a landmark transit funding and reform bill. This legislation includes an estimated $1.2 billion in new annual operating funding for CTA, Metra, and Pace. The bill reorganizes the transit system under a new regional authority, the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA), transforming the RTA to take on new responsibilities including setting fares, enhancing and coordinating service, overseeing long-term capital planning, and leading implementation of unified rider-focused tools such as more seamless mobile ticketing (see more details).


Key responsibilities include processing and approving invoices, verifying funding sources, preparing monthly reconciliations and journal entries, and supporting cash requirement schedules and disbursement reporting. The role also involves coordinating with departments to resolve payment issues, monitoring prepaid and accrued expenses, reconciling AP-related accounts (e.g., vouchers payable, vendor advances, employee reimbursements), and preparing year-end schedules and audit support for the ACFR, Special Purpose Reports, Single Audit, and GASB implementations. Additionally, the incumbent will support automation initiatives within Infor, maintain accurate vendor records, and contribute to ongoing process improvements to enhance efficiency and accountability. The position also provides cross-support to Payroll related functions as needed.


Responsibilities include but are not limited to:


1. Oversee and review the accounts payable compliance process regularly to ensure all vendor invoices align with RTA policies, contractual terms, and purchasing controls; identify trends and recommend process improvements to enhance compliance and efficiency.


2. Collaborate with other RTA departments to facilitate and exchange information, provides training, and supports the Controller in enhancing accounting operations.


3. Collaborate with RTA staff to correct errors related to contract coding, payments, and vendor information. Prepare monthly reconciliations, complex journal entries, compile schedules and analyze the general ledger accounts.


4. Drive the development and enhancement of financial reporting tools and analytics in partnership with IT, leveraging data insights to support management decisions and strategic initiatives.


5. Work with RTA staff to correct errors related to contract coding, payments, and vendor information.


6. Match and process AP data with approved invoices and receipts in the ERP system. Perform monthly AP reconciliations, investigate discrepancies, and issue credit/debit memos when necessary.


7. Run and review weekly Cash Requirement Reports to determine payable processing; analyze for corrective actions and submit for approval. Verify travel, entertainment, and non-purchase order requests, including credit card items, and resolve calculation discrepancies.


8. Ensure the alignment of accounting changes according to GASB and GAAP standards, complying with the financial reporting and accounting requirements.


9. Support annual audits by providing schedules/reports and respondence to audit inquiries from external auditors. Assist in the preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) each year. Independently manage the year-end AP accrual process, ensuring accurate preparation of accrual entries, supporting documentation, and accrued invoice schedules required for financial statements and the Single Audit; prepare electronic and physical records in accordance with RTA's records retention policy.


10. Serve as backup for payroll staff, processing biweekly and monthly payrolls in ADP, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance. Manage payroll data changes, timecard submissions, and approvals, and prepare related journal entries, account reconciliations, and deduction payments.


11. Follow RTA's strategic goals and objectives as developed by the Board of Directors, providing high-level customer service both internally and externally. Will have confidentiality of all information obtained in the performance of the job duties.


12. Lead the development and periodic review of financial policies and procedures to ensure alignment with evolving GASB pronouncements, state regulations, and best practices in public-sector accounting.


13. Lead and assist the Chief Accountant and Manager in the development and periodic review of financial policies and procedures to ensure alignment with evolving GASB pronouncements, state regulations, and best practices in public-sector accounting.


14. Work with the Chief Accountant and Manager and the Internal Audit's office to evaluate and strengthen internal controls over financial transactions, procurement, and reporting processes; identify risk areas and implement corrective actions to ensure transparency, accountability, and compliance with audit and statutory requirements.


15. Work with Service Boards through manager and/or controller to analyze financial submissions, monitor budget-to-actual performance, and assess variances in operating and capital reports. Provide recommendations and analytical support to ensure consistency with RTA financial policies and regional funding objectives.


16. Performs other related duties as require or assigned that contribute to the effectiveness of the department.


The ideal candidate must have the following:
• The knowledge, skills, and abilities equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or Finance, or the equivalent additional work experience.
• Master's Degree and/or CPA a plus.
• A minimum of four to six (4 - 6) years of experience in accounting in a comparable organization, including government, non-profit, and education.
• Strong analytical abilities with sound knowledge of finance and accounting.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proficient with accounting software, preferably Infor Cloudsuite Financials, and Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access).
• Must be able to work independently, plan and organize tasks, problem solve and complete projects in collaboration with various staff.
• Ability to adapt to changes and multi-tasking required.


The RTA offers highly competitive benefits package:
• Pension plan or 401(k) salary match provided by the RTA at no cost to you
• 401(k) and/or 457 plan options
• Hybrid work environment and flexible work schedules
• Transit benefits to support your commute
• Twelve paid holidays and one floating holiday
• Competitive personal leave package
• Parental leave
• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life/AD&D Insurance/Pet Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Tuition reimbursement
• Gym membership discount
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Employee Assistance Program


This role typically offers salaries near $82,500, and the RTA offers competitive salaries with the possibility of a higher offer for highly qualified candidates.


For more information about the RTA, visit our website at


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For assistance during your application process (e.g. password login, errors, attaching documents), please contact us at: View email address on click.appcast.io


An Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer