Description

Position Information

Posting Detail Information

Working Position Title
Accounting Officer (31842)

Classification
Accounting Officer

Position Number
00031842

Open Date
09/22/2025

Close Date
10/10/2025

Priority Review Date

Employee Class
Staff

Full-Time/Part Time
Full-Time

FTE
1.00

Position Status
Regular

FLSA
Non-Exempt

Job code
3852

Union Representation
Union

Union Code
AFC - AFSCME C, Local #1890

Unit/Department
Allied Health & Comm Disorders

College/Unit
College-Hlth & Human Sci Dean

Division
Academic Division

Location
WL 2100

Link to Department Website or Custom Search Page
https://www.chhs.niu.edu/

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Overview

The School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders is home to programs educating tomorrow's highly specialized caregivers in audiology, communicative disorders, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology.

The School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders supports programs that have both academic and clinical elements involved in educating future clinicians. Three clinics provide Audiology, Physical Therapy, and Speech-Language services for fees and require support associated with the functions of academic and health care facilities. The employee will need to be able to apply knowledge of policies and procedures regarding client insurance, billing, account maintenance, collections, etc.

Position Summary

This position requires the ability to handle all daily operational billing/accounting functions for the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic ( SLH Clinic).
This includes:

• Claims verification and authorization

• Insurance/Patient Billing, insurance follow-up, and insurance claims disputes

• Accounts Receivable

• Accounts Payable

This position supervises/plans/assigns/reviews work of, as well as trains and evaluates, the SLH Clinic billing assistant.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Insurance and Patient Billing

• Submit insurance and patient billing.
• Process Accounts Receivable - open all mail, write-up receipts for all payments, complete clinic deposit, complete journal vouchers.
• Meet with patients concerning insurance questions and payment plan options.

Post Payments in Electronic Health Record

• Post payments in Electronic Health Record.
• Dispute incorrect insurance payments.
• Reconcile any financial records between the NIU based accounting system and the clinic Electronic Health Record.
• Plans/assigns/reviews work of billing assistant.

Accounts Payable

• Handle Accounts Payable for the SLH Clinic.
• Determine which invoices are correct and what payments need to be made through NIU OnBase accounts payable system, or current system.
• Reconcile accounts to keep up to date on funding availability and request updated funding when necessary.
• Maintain a filing system that makes all records available to office staff.

Electronic Health Record

• Review and authorize charge tickets in Electronic Health Record, or current system.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Fill in for office staff during illness or vacations.
• Assist patients with appointment scheduling and check-ins.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)

1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. Any one or combination totaling two (2) years (24 months) from the categories below:
   1. Course work in accounting, as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
      • 9 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
   2. Course work in any discipline as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
      • 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
      • Associate's Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen (18) months
      • 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
   3. Work experience in bookkeeping, office support, or closely related experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service)

1. Knowledge above the rudimentary understanding of bookkeeping practices and procedures and accepted accounting principles.
2. Knowledge of university and departmental policies, rules, and regulations.
3. Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, spreadsheets, managing files and records, and other office procedures.
4. Skill in active listening and critical thinking.
5. Skill in time management.
6. Ability to communicate effectively as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
7. Ability to compare numbers and detect errors efficiently.
8. Ability to compile complex financial records and prepare routine financial reports or statements.
9. Ability to make computations with speed and accuracy.
10. Ability to work independently and exercise judgment.

Specialty Factors (Civil Service)

n/a

Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)

n/a

Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)

n/a

Additional Requirements (SPS)

n/a

Preferred Qualifications (SPS)

n/a

Physical demands/requirements

n/a

Appointment and Compensation Details

Appointment and Compensation Details

Anticipated Appointment Start Date
10/27/25

Anticipated Appointment End Date

Percent of Staff Year
1.00

Standard Hours Per Week
37.50

Working Hours
M-F 8:00-4:30, one-hour lunch, variable with clinic hours

Salary
$31,200.00/Annually; NIU offers a robust benefits package.

Hourly or Semi-monthly Pay Rate/Range
$16.00/Hourly

Earn Type
Hourly

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

Application Procedure:

1. Fully complete the Education and Work History sections of the application. Be specific on your entire work history, including employment dates and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience. Important: Please upload any unofficial transcript(s) and/or documentation that verifies any education, experience, and/or training you have received.

o If eligible for Veteran's Preference Points, DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256 paperwork reflecting an Honorable Discharge MUST be uploaded to this application to receive the maximum eligible points on the Civil Service examination.

2. After the posting has closed, your submission will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the classification, including any specialty factors associated with this position. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register.

3. Please monitor your e-mail for further information regarding your application. Emails will be generated from [email protected] and [email protected] . Please add these emails to your address book to ensure timely delivery of any future communication.

4. Applicants must be a current citizen or resident of the State of Illinois to move forward in the hiring process.

Credentials Assessment Examination:

• The examination for this position is a Credentials Assessment and is based on your application materials as submitted for this posting. A Credential Assessment is a rating by the Human Resources Office of an applicant's/employee's education, experience, and special credentials/qualifications (licenses, etc.). Applicants are required to upload documentation to verify the minimum qualifications for this position has been met.
• Required documentation noted in the posting, such as a driver's license, licensures, or certifications MUST be uploaded with your application materials.
• After assessment of all qualified applicants has been completed for this position, the names with the top three (3) scores will be referred to the hiring department for interview.

Additional Details:

• Click on Accounting Officer for more information including salary ranges, typical duties, minimum acceptable qualifications, and testing requirements.
• Please click on Human Resource Services - Benefits for detailed information about Northern Illinois University's benefits package.
• Employment is contingent upon your passing a criminal background investigation. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Special Instructions

Quick Link to Applicant
https://employment.niu.edu/postings/86682

Is Background Check Required?
Yes

EEO Statement Summary

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability (physical and mental), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (identity and expression), political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Ethics and Compliance Officer, Title IX Coordinator
Health Services Building Room 230
[email protected]
815-753-5560

Visa Policy

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

ADA Accommodation

NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person's disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form . For further assistance, please contact the office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity ( AAEO ) at [email protected] .

Safety Information

NIU provides annual reports on campus security and fire safety.
Read the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report .
Contact the Ethics and Compliance Office at 815-753-9364 for a hard copy.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2. Cover Letter
3. List of at least 3 Professional References

Optional Documents

1. Military Discharge Documents ONLY (DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256)
2. Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire)
3. Other

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Are you currently a citizen or resident of the State of Illinois?
   • Yes
   • No
2. * What is the highest level of education attained?
   • GED
   • High School Diploma
   • Associates Degree
   • Bachelors Degree
   • Masters Degree
   • PHD
3. * Have you attached all transcripts to support the degrees you are submitting for consideration?
   • Yes
   • No
4. * If applicable, have you attached a copy of your DD214, DD215, NGB22, or DD256 for consideration of Veterans Preference Points? The copy submitted should reflect the status of discharge in order to be considered.
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not Applicable
5. * Please rate the level of professional work experience reviewing invoices and statements, verifying information, ensuring funds are available, and, if questionable, resolving with submitting unit, determining accounts involved, coding transactions, and processing material for application in the accounting system; researching and preparing stop payments.
   • Work experience not directly related to the job function described
   • Work experience at a minimum level of competency relevant to the job function described, requiring some assistance and guidance.
   • Work experience at a high level of competency relevant to the job function described, performed independently.
6. * Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. ("See Résumé" is not an acceptable response.)
   (Open Ended Question)
7. * Please rate the level of professional work experience performing difficult coding where advanced knowledge and judgment must be applied.
   • Work experience not directly related to the job function described
   • Work experience at a minimum level of competency relevant to the job function described, requiring some assistance and guidance.
   • Work experience at a high level of competency relevant to the job function described, performed independently.
8. * Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. ("See Résumé" is not an acceptable response.)
   (Open Ended Question)
9. * Please rate the level of professional work experience posting financial information to journals, registers, ledgers, and other related records; making adjustments, preparing trial balances, and reconciling accounts.
   • Work experience not directly related to the job function described
   • Work experience at a minimum level of competency relevant to the job function described, requiring some assistance and guidance.
   • Work experience at a high level of competency relevant to the job function described, performed independently.
10. * Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. ("See Résumé" is not an acceptable response.)
    (Open Ended Question)
11. * Please rate the level of professional work experience auditing ledgers and accounts maintained by others; reconciling reports from outside agencies and operating units by contacting units and researching causes of discrepancies and taking action to ensure that accounts agree.
    • Work experience not directly related to the job function described
    • Work experience at a minimum level of competency relevant to the job function described, requiring some assistance and guidance.
    • Work experience at a high level of competency relevant to the job function described, performed independently.
12. * Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. ("See Résumé" is not an acceptable response)
    (Open Ended Question)
13. * Please rate the level of professional work experience preparing, or assisting in preparing financial statements or reports (such as cash flow, cash receipts, and disbursement, sales, transfers, or accounts receivable).
    • Work experience not directly related to the job function described
    • Work experience at a minimum level of competency relevant to the job function described, requiring some assistance and guidance.
    • Work experience at a high level of competency relevant to the job function described, performed independently.
14. * Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. ("See Résumé" is not an acceptable response)
    (Open Ended Question)
15. * Please rate the level of professional work experience serving as a resource person; answering inquiries and providing information concerning invoices, outstanding balances, and/or payments; interpreting and/or composing correspondence requiring knowledge of departmental regulations, procedures, practices, and policies.
    • Work experience not directly related to the job function described
    • Work experience at a minimum level of competency relevant to the job function described, requiring some assistance and guidance.
    • Work experience at a high level of competency relevant to the job function described, performed independently.
16. * Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. ("See Résumé" is not an acceptable response)
    (Open Ended Question)