Accounting Division Manager

Job Requisition ID: 58236
Opening Date: 08/18/2026
Closing Date: 09/01/2026
Agency: State Employee Retirement System
Class Title:  SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMIN (40070) 
Skill Option:  Special License - Certified Public Accountant  
Bilingual Option:  None
Salary: $14,400.00 - $16,400.00 Anticipated Monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category:  Full Time  
County: Sangamon
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code:  None
Merit Comp Code:  Term Appointment/ Gubernatorial (Management Bill)

A resume is highly encouraged to evaluate your qualifications and skills as part of your application. Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application if you decide to provide one.

We invite qualified applicants to apply for the position of Manager (SPSA) within the Accounting Division at State Retirement Systems (SRS). This position acts as the Chief Financial Officer of the State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS), the General Assembly Retirement System (GARS), and the Judges’ Retirement System (JRS). The manager is primarily responsible for the accurate and timely completion of the annual comprehensive agency financial reports as well as all other financial reporting and management of the three retirement systems. The manager ensures that the active member database containing all membership transactions for SERS, GARS and JRS members are accurately maintained by a staff of professional Accountants. This includes ensuring timely posting of agency payroll records and necessary adjustments based on account reviews, as well as management of the closing processes at fiscal and calendar year end. Furthermore, the manager puts in place practices and procedures to encourage and maintain swift but accurate audit of membership accounts prior to the time of pension calculation and other benefits to be paid. Strong accounting knowledge and skills are a must to ensure the accuracy of member accounts as well as the precision of the financial reporting. The ideal candidate would possess strong analytical skills in complex problem solving as well as excellent communication skills for effective communications with system staff, agency payroll offices, members, and other stakeholders. SRS is conveniently located on the west side of Springfield with free on-site parking.

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Essential Functions

• Develops, recommends, and implements policies and procedures pertaining to the preparation and publication of the State Employees, Judges, and General Assembly Retirement Systems’ comprehensive annual financial reports, including the audit work papers, and supporting schedules. Plans, develops, organizes, and controls the preparation of the quarterly financial statements and monthly division reports in a timely and accurate manner. Sets agency goals and objectives for the financial reports and monitors timelines to ensure compliance with established targets. Acts as State Retirement Systems liaison with the Illinois Auditor General and the external auditors in matters pertaining to the comprehensive annual financial reports published by the systems.
• Develops, recommends, and implements policies and procedures pertaining to internal accounting and financial reporting requirements. Provides information and guidance to Accounting Division staff and other agency personnel regarding accounting, cash flow, and financial reporting issues. Resolves daily problems involving both internal and external accounting and financial reporting questions. Interprets agency policies and procedures as well as accounting rules and standards to ensure compliance with reporting requirements and to determine their impact to the Retirement System.
• Directs and coordinates the efforts of technical staff processing member applications to establish pension credits through optional service purchases. Ensures that the eligibility of members making optional service purchases are within the established guidelines and rules and that the calculations of contributions, interest, and other required payments are made accurately and appropriately.
• Provides guidance, direction, and policy interpretation relating to the collection of overpayments and establishment of overpaid benefit account records. Manages overpayment collections via written correspondence or through submissions of involuntary withholding requests through the Comptroller’s Illinois Debt Recovery Offset Portal (IDROP). Consults with the Attorney General’s Office for non-performing accounts.
• Serves as full line supervisor. Assigns and reviews work. Provides guidance and training to assigned staff. Counsels staff regarding work performance. Re-assigns staff to meet day to day operating needs. Establishes annual goals and objectives. Approves time off. Adjusts first level grievances. Effectively recommends and imposes discipline, up to and including discharge. Prepares and signs performance evaluations. Determines and recommends staffing needs.
• Develops the Division’s annual budget. Prepares and analyzes the fiscal management and personnel requirements associated with the operation and continued program development of the Accounting Division. Establishes annual goals and objectives for the division.
• Represents the agency in a liaison capacity between State Retirement Systems and the Office of the Comptroller. Prepares annual GAAP packages to submit to the Comptroller’s Office and serves as the agency liaison to the IOC.
• Coordinates the education and training of in-house personnel regarding the codes used on member Data Base; updates the transaction codes used by State Retirement Systems; and prepares State Retirement System Bulletins used by all agency payroll clerks throughout the State.
• Coordinates activities of the Accounting Division with the Information Technology Division; initiates and reviews I.T. projects to determine effectiveness and efficiency of Accounting Systems.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a Master’s degree, with courses in accounting, business, finance, or economics.
• Requires Certified Public Accountant accreditation.
• Requires four years of progressively responsible administrative experience in accounting, auditing, or budgetary planning and control.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers 10 years of experience preparing GAAP financial reporting.
• Prefers 5 years of experience working with the Illinois Pension Code as it relates to State Retirement Systems. 
• Prefers 5 years of experience using Statewide Accounting Management System (SAMS).
• Prefers 5 years of experience with the State of Illinois appropriation and budget process.
• Prefers 5 years of experience preparing complex financial documents/statements/reports.
• Prefers 5 years of experience supervising staff including assigning and reviewing work, counseling staff on work performance, establishing goals, and administering performance evaluations.
• Prefers ability to develop or modify an accounting process based on recently passed legislation.

Employment Conditions

• 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.
• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during State employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine. 
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in Section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statement of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.

Work Hours: 8:00a.m. - 4:30p.m., Monday - Friday, in the office on a full-time basis, no remote work option
Headquarter Location: 2101 S. Veterans Pkwy, Springfield, Illinois, 62704
Work County: Sangamon
Agency Contact: Jenny Reichart
Email: View email address on us.fitly.work
Phone #: View phone number on us.fitly.work
Posting Group: Leadership & Management

Revolving Door:
Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during State employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (“OEIG”) or may be subject to a fine.

Term Appointment:
Candidates hired into a term position shall be appointed for a term of 4 years and are subject to a probationary period. The term may be renewed for successive four-year terms at the Director of the State Employee Retirement System’s discretion.

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 please follow this link: 

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

• View email address on us.fitly.work
• View email address on us.fitly.work

The purpose of State Retirement Systems is to provide an orderly means whereby aged or disabled employees may be retired from active service, without prejudice or hardship, and to enable employees to accumulate reserves for themselves and their dependents for old age, disability, death and termination of employment, thus effecting economy and efficiency in the administration of the State Government.