Accountant

The Oak Park Public Library seeks a full-time Accountant to join its Accounting and Finance team.

About

The Oak Park Public Library is on a journey to become an anti-racist organization. Anti-racism is now one of the library’s four strategic priorities, alongside engagement, learning, and stewardship.

We serve a diverse population at our three locations and out in the Oak Park community. Our vision is to empower every voice in our community, and our mission is to share the information, services, and opportunities that fulfill Oak Park’s aspirations.

Under the direction of the Manager of Accounting and Finance, the person in this position is responsible for preparing and maintaining various financial reports and records to track the library’s assets, liabilities, revenue and expenditures, and other related financial activities, including account analysis, balance sheet reconciliation, and accounts payable and receivable to advance the library’s vision, mission, and strategic direction.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs general cost accounting and other related duties for the library.
• Administers, analyzes and oversees library accounting activities, including general ledger, accounts payable, and cash receipts entry.
• Prepares monthly balance sheets and revenue and expense statements.
• Records bank transactions and prepares journal entries.
• Verify general ledger account codes for accuracy.
• Reconciles bank accounts monthly, verifies deposits, and addresses inquiries from banks.
• Prepares monthly and annual financial reports.
• Provides outside auditors with assistance; gathers necessary account information and documents to perform the annual audit.
• Manages the invoicing system and partners with the Accounts Payable Specialist to ensure timely accounts payable processing.
• Maintains complete, accurate data and efficient workflows in the accounting database system.

• Maintains knowledge of acceptable accounting practices and procedures.
• Cultivates and maintains cooperative working relationships with library staff to coordinate financial activities.

• Exercises considerable initiative, discretion, and independent judgment.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Understands, supports, and advances the vision, mission, and strategic priorities of the library
• Analytical and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail
• Ability to prepare, maintain, understand, and analyze financial reports
• Excellent judgment regarding financial matters and the ability to perform mathematical functions with a high degree of accuracy
• Verbal and written communication skills. Ability to express oneself clearly and effectively to internal and external stakeholders
• Service-oriented and committed to providing exceptional service to our patrons, staff, and community
• High level of professionalism and integrity with the capacity to maintain confidentiality.
• Establishes rapport and effective, collaborative working relationships.
• Well-developed administrative skills and working knowledge of automated accounting and financial software such as Blackbaud Financial Edge.
• Knowledge of governmental accounting, budgeting, and cost accounting.
• Understanding of and the ability to adhere to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), governmental accounting standards (GASB), and accounting and auditing practices.

Education and Experience

Required

• Three years of progressive bookkeeping and accounting experience.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field.

• Experience working in a library, non-profit, or other government setting.
• Experience using automated accounting and financial software such as Blackbaud Financial Edge.

A combination of education, professional, and lived experiences that demonstrate the ability to successfully meet the requirements of the position may be considered.

Details

This position reports to the Manager of Accounting and Finance. It is full-time, 40 hours per week, and includes paid time off, health insurance, pension plan, some remote work, and other competitive benefits. Starting salary range: $54,000 to $60,000. Offers are made within this range based on competencies, experience, and internal equity. Please apply soonto be considered for this position.

Anti-Racism. Diversity. Equity. Inclusion.

The Oak Park Public Library is an equal opportunity employer. We work to create and support an environment of anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion for the benefit of our staff, our collections, our programs and services, our patrons, and our community. Members of traditionally marginalized groups and those committed to working in a diverse cultural environment are encouraged to apply.