ACCOUNTANT

Job Requisition ID: 49421
Closing Date: 09/10/2025
​Agency: State Employee Retirement System
Class Title: ACCOUNTANT - 00130, Upward Mobility
Skill Option: None
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: $4,954.00 - $6,894.00 monthly / CBA language applies
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Sangamon
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: RC062 Technical Employees, AFSCME
Merit Comp Code:

This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.

Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.

We invite qualified applicants to apply for the position which serves as an Accountant in the Accounting Division at State Retirement Systems (SRS). This position is responsible for the calculation, entry, and collection of overpaid pension, survivor, disability, and lump sum benefits issued by SRS. The ideal candidate should be self-motivated, detail oriented, have excellent analytic, communication (both verbal and in writing), and organizational skills. SRS is conveniently located on the west side of Springfield with free parking on-site.

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

• Audits and reconciles previously calculated complex financial reporting of benefit payment vouchers. Compares amount paid to revision of new benefit amount due to required government offsets and recalculation of original benefit due to statutory guidelines, death, or ineligibility of benefit. Determines both the accuracy and eligibility of benefits paid versus benefits payable by State Retirement Systems in accordance with the Illinois Pension Code 40 ILCS 5/14.
• Examines audited payment records and calculates total overpayment. Inputs resulting overpayment account information to online accounts receivable data base creating debit record of overpayment by individual general ledger account number according to the type of benefit payment record allowing for the reversal of earnings, taxes, insurance, and retirement account contributions. Enters benefit reversal deductions. Processes ARCP overpayments. Ensures proper transfer of data from the receivable system into the Overpayment Tracking System. Adds additional overpayment data and sets needed follow-up collection activity data.
• Ensures accurate reconciliation of repayment in comparison to both the online receivable account system and the IMS database. Audits the posting to the receivable account system and the IMS database.
• Performs a reconciliation of payments received and posted to individual overpayment account. Approves the initial closing of the overpayment account file by performing a final audit of payments received to the total amount owed as indicated on the online accounts receivable database. Audits, analyzes, and solves discrepancies of account balances or erroneous posting of payment to individual overpayment accounts. Sends paid in full notification complying with IRS guidelines for tax processing.
• Reconciliation of benefit records with SAMS/Comptroller Master Earnings Record System, benefit vouchers, and previously prepared benefit overpayment information. Provides the Comptroller Electronic Commerce Section detailed benefit payment information necessary for the recall of electronic deposits in conjunction with overpayments due to deceased annuitants. Completes and submits follow up Warrant Action Request forms(s) for recalled payments allowing proper cancellation of funds. Prepares and submits Warrant Replacement Requests for escheated warrants associated with benefit overpayments based on the statutory one-year time frame. Prepares and processes overpayment accounts for SERS contribution refund requests.
• Audits historical payment and overpayment billing information for delinquent accounts in preparation for file referral to State of Illinois Attorney General and Comptroller's Office for representation of collection of delinquent debt. Enters collection data into the Comptroller's IDROP System creating involuntary withholdings of any payment issued by the Illinois Comptroller's Office. Monitors payments received in this system. Reviews and prepares overpayment notification correspondence providing detailed billing information and payment submission timeframes to payee/responsible party. Monitors Overpayment Tracking System, flagging accounts for proper follow-up action to ensure monies owed to State Retirement Systems are received as well as documenting all collection activity.
• Answers email correspondence and telephone calls. Assists members with overpayment accounts and clarification of overpayment calculations.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college with courses in business administration and accounting or four years of technical accounting experience.
• Qualifying state employees in the employee Upward Mobility Program, may complete combinations of specific proficiency tests and training programs leading to a certificate of proficiency in lieu of the stated requirements for this classification.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers ability to evaluate accounting problems of moderate difficulty and to analyze and interpret accounting records and reports and to apply established accounting methods and techniques.
• Prefers experience working with SAMS, IMS, and IDROP systems.
• Prefers knowledge of the Illinois Pension Code, 40 ILCS 5/14 relating to benefit eligibility for State Retirement Systems.
• Prefers ability to perform detailed work involving written or numerical data and to make arithmetical calculations rapidly and accurately, resolving discrepancies when needed.
• Prefers ability to communicate complex and controversial topics effectively.

Work Hours: 8:00a.m. - 4:30p.m., Monday - Friday, in the office on a full-time basis, no remote work option 
Work Location: 2101 S Veterans Pkwy, Springfield, Illinois, 62704-6527
Agency Contact: Jenny Reichart
Email: [email protected]
Phone #: 217-785-6955
Posting Group:  Fiscal, Finance & Procurement

This title is within the Upward Mobility Program (UMP) . General Program information can be found by clicking on the Upward Mobility Program link or for specific title information at UMP Titles . To utilize upward mobility contractual rights for this position, employees must apply internally and must upload a copy of the UMP grade notice to their application documents prior to submission . UMP grades can be uploaded to the Additional Documents OR Grade Documentation section of the application.

This position DOES NOT contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).

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:

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process.

If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so. 

State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon.

Non-State employees should log in on the using the “View Profile” link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.

If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:

State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid

Non-State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.

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:

• [email protected]
• [email protected]

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.