Staff Accountant
State Universities Retirement System, Champaign, IL, United States
SURS, the State Universities Retirement System, is seeking a Staff Accountant to support the finance department with a focus on tax reporting for SURS benefit recipients.
Responsibilities
Prepare, coordinate, and distribute timely and accurate financial, statistical, tax, or qualitative information to employees, auditors, members, vendors, agencies, or the U.S. Government to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
Main Duties
Oversight of the SURS Excess Benefit Arrangement (EBA)
Perform §415(b) eligibility testing for finalized benefit claims
Coordinate EBA benefit payments/schedules with other SURS departments
Issue written communications to EBA benefit recipients
Process monthly and one-off EBA benefit payments
Record EBA-related journal entries
Perform annual §415(b) eligibility re-testing for existing benefit recipients
Prepare Forms W-2 for EBA benefit recipients
Develop expertise in Internal Revenue Code §415(b) and related regulations
Answer questions from members and other SURS departments
Form 1099-R annual preparation
Reconcile year-to-date benefit payment and withholding data
Research and fix potential 1099-R errors and inconsistencies
Coordinate 1099-R preparation responsibilities with multiple departments
Investigate issues and answer questions from members and other departments
Form 1042-S annual preparation
Reconcile year-to-date benefit payment and withholding data
Research and fix potential 1042-S errors and inconsistencies
Investigate issues and answer questions from members and other departments
Perform testing related to areas of responsibility in the new pension administration system scheduled to go live in 2028
Other duties as assigned
Although the main duties of this position focus on taxation, experience with taxes is not necessary if the candidate has a strong accounting background and willingness to learn.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree with a major in Accountancy or a related field AND two (2) years of professional level accounting experience.
OR possession of current registration as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant, or a valid license to practice Public Accounting (LPA).
OR Master’s degree in Accountancy or a related field.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with taxation is helpful but not necessary.
Certified Public Accountant designation is a plus, but not necessary.
GAAP and/or GASB accounting experience.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Ability to research complex accounting, financial, and tax reporting matters.
Strong problem‑solving skills, a curiosity of how systems/processes work, and a desire to improve systems/processes when appropriate.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including comfort with analyzing and manipulating large data sets.
Ability to learn new computer systems quickly.
Self‑driven with the ability to work independently as needed.
Strong time‑management skills with a deadline‑oriented focus.
Ability to work in a continuously changing environment with numerous filing deadlines.
Excellent verbal, analytical, organizational, and written skills, including ability to read and write technical material with specific terminology.
Work Environment & Compensation
Full‑time position based in Champaign, IL
Fully in‑office during initial training;
potential hybrid schedule available afterward
The starting salary range for this position is $68,393 - $75,233. This is a competitive salary, taking into consideration experience and internal equity.
Standard
37.5-hour work week
Benefits That Matter
State of Illinois insurance benefits including medical, dental, and vision
Participation in the
SURS retirement plan
Paid vacation, sick leave, and
10 paid holidays
2 floating holidays after 6 months
Paid parental leave after 6 months
Flexible, professional work environment
Freeparking
Find more details regarding the benefits SURS offers at:SURS EmployeeBenefits - SURS
About SURS
The State Universities Retirement System (SURS) administers retirement, disability, survivor, and death benefits for over 255,000 members across Illinois public higher education institutions. Founded in 1941, SURS manages more than $30 billion in assets and is committed to delivering accurate, timely, and compassionate service to members throughout their careers and lives.
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Responsibilities
Prepare, coordinate, and distribute timely and accurate financial, statistical, tax, or qualitative information to employees, auditors, members, vendors, agencies, or the U.S. Government to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
Main Duties
Oversight of the SURS Excess Benefit Arrangement (EBA)
Perform §415(b) eligibility testing for finalized benefit claims
Coordinate EBA benefit payments/schedules with other SURS departments
Issue written communications to EBA benefit recipients
Process monthly and one-off EBA benefit payments
Record EBA-related journal entries
Perform annual §415(b) eligibility re-testing for existing benefit recipients
Prepare Forms W-2 for EBA benefit recipients
Develop expertise in Internal Revenue Code §415(b) and related regulations
Answer questions from members and other SURS departments
Form 1099-R annual preparation
Reconcile year-to-date benefit payment and withholding data
Research and fix potential 1099-R errors and inconsistencies
Coordinate 1099-R preparation responsibilities with multiple departments
Investigate issues and answer questions from members and other departments
Form 1042-S annual preparation
Reconcile year-to-date benefit payment and withholding data
Research and fix potential 1042-S errors and inconsistencies
Investigate issues and answer questions from members and other departments
Perform testing related to areas of responsibility in the new pension administration system scheduled to go live in 2028
Other duties as assigned
Although the main duties of this position focus on taxation, experience with taxes is not necessary if the candidate has a strong accounting background and willingness to learn.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree with a major in Accountancy or a related field AND two (2) years of professional level accounting experience.
OR possession of current registration as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant, or a valid license to practice Public Accounting (LPA).
OR Master’s degree in Accountancy or a related field.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with taxation is helpful but not necessary.
Certified Public Accountant designation is a plus, but not necessary.
GAAP and/or GASB accounting experience.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Ability to research complex accounting, financial, and tax reporting matters.
Strong problem‑solving skills, a curiosity of how systems/processes work, and a desire to improve systems/processes when appropriate.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including comfort with analyzing and manipulating large data sets.
Ability to learn new computer systems quickly.
Self‑driven with the ability to work independently as needed.
Strong time‑management skills with a deadline‑oriented focus.
Ability to work in a continuously changing environment with numerous filing deadlines.
Excellent verbal, analytical, organizational, and written skills, including ability to read and write technical material with specific terminology.
Work Environment & Compensation
Full‑time position based in Champaign, IL
Fully in‑office during initial training;
potential hybrid schedule available afterward
The starting salary range for this position is $68,393 - $75,233. This is a competitive salary, taking into consideration experience and internal equity.
Standard
37.5-hour work week
Benefits That Matter
State of Illinois insurance benefits including medical, dental, and vision
Participation in the
SURS retirement plan
Paid vacation, sick leave, and
10 paid holidays
2 floating holidays after 6 months
Paid parental leave after 6 months
Flexible, professional work environment
Freeparking
Find more details regarding the benefits SURS offers at:SURS EmployeeBenefits - SURS
About SURS
The State Universities Retirement System (SURS) administers retirement, disability, survivor, and death benefits for over 255,000 members across Illinois public higher education institutions. Founded in 1941, SURS manages more than $30 billion in assets and is committed to delivering accurate, timely, and compassionate service to members throughout their careers and lives.
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