Accounts Payable Accountant

POSITION SUMMARY
The primary purpose of this position is to reconcile centralized procurement and accounts payable
records, ledgers, sub-ledgers, account reconciliations, and spreadsheets. 

This position is responsible for reviewing and analyzing invoices and expenses for the Authority which
includes privately managed properties (centralized procurement) and affiliate organizations (CHA LLC’s).
The primary focus is to analyze for prompt payment processing and earning available cash discounts,
reconcile detailed invoices to monthly statements, evaluate and report for the Authority, Private
Management (PM) centralized procurement invoice activities and that of CHA LLC entities.
The other responsibilities include reviewing and auditing the Authority’s expense reports and invoices for
compliance. It also involves verifying expenditure accounts and ensuring it is accurate; general ledger
account coding; and complete with all required documentation, as well as other prerequisites.
Position will also process weekly check runs and bank transmissions, review utilities’ costs.
Position will ensure a smooth relationship exists between the Authority and its vendors, including
resolving all vendor queries. Work may include researching vendor invoices and payments, resolving
exceptions, matters that need special handling and routing problematic invoices.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepare and review assigned Accounts Payable reconciliations.
• Ensure all reconciling items are resolved accurately and on a timely basis.
• Prepare and record monthly journal entries for accrual, accrual reversals, re-class and GL corrections or adjustments.
• Process weekly check run and ensure timely transmission to the bank.
• Review and prepare payment for all utility bills (there are approximately 2,300 utility accounts) received either individually, as a list billing or an e-mail/tape.
• Ensure that payments for utility bills are prepared to meet weekly check runs and to avoid late charges.
• Audit utility vendor invoices to ensure charges are accurate, identify incorrect billing items and make appropriate adjustments to the billing statement/payments.
• Reconcile invoices processed to monthly statements and ensure processing cut-offs.
• Assist in assignment or allocation of centralized purchases to Purchase Orders and Property Management projects.
• Prepare cash requirement or projections for Treasury before and after each check run.
• Research vendor invoices and payments, resolving exceptions, matters that need special handling and routing problematic invoices.
• Complete other duties and assignments as required by management.

QUALIFICATIONS

Must possess a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration or a related business field and at least two (2) years of accounting experience. This position requires a working knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and computer literacy (i.e., Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook). Some knowledge of practices and regulations within the utilities industry is helpful. The successful candidate will also possess effective analytical, problem solving and communication skills. Lawson and YARDI systems knowledge are a plus.

BENEFITS AT-A-GLANCE

• Vacation, Sick and Personal, competitive PTO package                  
• Medical (HMO, PPO, and No employee cost High-Deductible PPO) Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Parking Transit
• Prepaid Legal Services
• Brightstar 529 College Savings Plan
• Identity Theft Protection
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance
• Deferred Compensation Plan: Empower 457/401(a) with a 3% employer match
• Pension Plan: CHA makes contributions on behalf of the employee, along with the employee's 3% contribution; 100% vesting occurs after 6 years of continuous employment or opt-out of CHA's Retirement Plan and continues to participate in the Municipal Employees Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago

Salary Range: $70,000-$73,000

Grade: S6

FMLA: Exempt

Union: None

"Applications will be accepted for 30 days from the date of posting. However, the position may be closed at any point if a sufficient number of qualified applications are received.”