Job Description
Full job description
Job Number: 413588
Description
BID/JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
LEAD ACCOUNTANT
Chicago Department of Finance
Number of Positions: 3
Enterprise Division (1 position)
Grant and Project Accounting Division (2 positions)
(Additional vacancies are possible pending budget approval)
Annual Starting Salary: $87,516
This position is open to the public and all current City employees covered under the City’s collective bargaining agreement with AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME) – BARGAINING UNIT 1, 3, 4 & 5. Only employees in City job titles in this bargaining unit are eligible to bid.
Only employees in City job titles in this bargaining unit are eligible to bid.
BID INSTRUCTIONS:
Apply on the bid site: https://chicago.taleo.net/careersection/103/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en
AND
1. Check the box on your profile titled “Currently employed by the City of Chicago”
2. Enter your employee ID (located on your pay stub labeled ‘payee/employee number’)
3. Select your correct bargaining unit
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL RESULT IN A REJECTED BID APPLICATION
Applications for this position will be accepted beginning 7-29-25 until 11:59pm on 8-12-25
Under general supervision, performs professional accounting work of the most complex nature, typically requiring the application of advanced accounting knowledge, and/or functions as a working supervisor over a small accounting staff while maintaining own accounts, and performs related duties as required.
Essential Duties:
Performs and supervises the work of professional accountants engaged in the management of financial accounts including developing work standards, training staff on accounting procedures and conducting staff performance evaluations.
Develops and accesses new or existing computer applications or spreadsheets and records, verifies, and analyzes journal entries for assigned accounts and those managed by subordinates.
Conducts audits of financial documents (e.g., internal accounting records performed by private audit firms) and reviews those conducted by subordinates to ensure entries are accurate, appropriately allocated to accounts, and comply with contract and funding guidelines; documents errors and reconciles accounts, as required.
Monitors the balances of assigned accounts and those of subordinates and adjusts spending levels and fund re-allocations to ensure the availability of funds to cover expenditures.
Prepares various reports (e.g., program and operating budgets with tiered funding structures, financial statements, balance sheets, financial reports) of a complex nature and reviews those prepared by subordinates.
Coordinates the analyses of historical records and anticipated economic trends and forecasts future expenses and revenues, as well as the compilation of complex financial schedules and reports.
Interprets general accounting principles and financial procedures to management.
Functions as a liaison on accounting-related issues to the Office of Budget and Management, City Comptroller's Office, and government and delegate agencies.
Assists in designing and implementing computerized accounting systems and internal controls.
Processes and reviews invoice payments and purchase orders for various parties (e.g., refunds and payment voids, accounts payables issues, status of purchase orders and payment vouchers); prepares grant/project revenue collection reimbursement.
Reviews grant/project applications and awards and examines sub-grant agreements for any fiscal related requirements.
Reviews departmental requests for appropriating funds, authorizing grant/project obligations, monitoring and reporting grant/project expenditures, recording receivables and collections and closing out grant/project awards and submits final close-out reports to various grantors.
Additional duties may be required for this position.
NOTE: These positions may require working extended hours and some weekends during peak periods to ensure deadlines are met.
Location: Department of Finance
City Hall 121 N. LaSalle, Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60602
Shift: Monday-Friday
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
(Shift may vary due to the needs of the operation)
THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE
Qualifications
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a directly related field with 15 credit hours in Accounting, plus two years of professional auditing experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience, provided that the minimum degree requirement is met.
Note: You must provide your college or university transcripts displaying 15 completed semester hours in Accounting courses at the time of interview. IF YOU FAIL TO PROVIDE this information at the time of the interview you will NOT be allowed to proceed with the interview and will no longer be considered for this position.
It is best to upload all supporting documentation to your profile along with your resume at the time of application for review.
Selection Requirements: This position requires applicants to complete an interview. The interviewed bidders possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be selected in seniority order according to the collective bargaining agreement. The interviewed external candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be selected.
Desired Skills
Experience with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Governmental Accounting Standards.
Professional Accounting experience in grants management.
Experience with leading and managing a team.
Experience with annual audits and financial schedules.
Proficient in Microsoft Office including Excel and Outlook
For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at:
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html
For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at:
https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp_info/JobClassification/2026_Classification_and_Pay_Plan.pdf
APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. The Department of Human Resources staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices click here.
ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.
The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.
City of Chicago
Brandon Johnson, Mayor
Job Posting: Jul 29, 2026, 12:00:00 AM | Closing Date (Period for Applying) - External: Aug 12, 2026, 11:59:00 PM
BU: 04 | Salary: $87,516 Pay Basis:Yearly
Job Number: 413588
Description
BID/JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
LEAD ACCOUNTANT
Chicago Department of Finance
Number of Positions: 3
Enterprise Division (1 position)
Grant and Project Accounting Division (2 positions)
(Additional vacancies are possible pending budget approval)
Annual Starting Salary: $87,516
This position is open to the public and all current City employees covered under the City’s collective bargaining agreement with AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME) – BARGAINING UNIT 1, 3, 4 & 5. Only employees in City job titles in this bargaining unit are eligible to bid.
Only employees in City job titles in this bargaining unit are eligible to bid.
BID INSTRUCTIONS:
Apply on the bid site: https://chicago.taleo.net/careersection/103/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en
AND
1. Check the box on your profile titled “Currently employed by the City of Chicago”
2. Enter your employee ID (located on your pay stub labeled ‘payee/employee number’)
3. Select your correct bargaining unit
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL RESULT IN A REJECTED BID APPLICATION
Applications for this position will be accepted beginning 7-29-25 until 11:59pm on 8-12-25
Under general supervision, performs professional accounting work of the most complex nature, typically requiring the application of advanced accounting knowledge, and/or functions as a working supervisor over a small accounting staff while maintaining own accounts, and performs related duties as required.
Essential Duties:
Performs and supervises the work of professional accountants engaged in the management of financial accounts including developing work standards, training staff on accounting procedures and conducting staff performance evaluations.
Develops and accesses new or existing computer applications or spreadsheets and records, verifies, and analyzes journal entries for assigned accounts and those managed by subordinates.
Conducts audits of financial documents (e.g., internal accounting records performed by private audit firms) and reviews those conducted by subordinates to ensure entries are accurate, appropriately allocated to accounts, and comply with contract and funding guidelines; documents errors and reconciles accounts, as required.
Monitors the balances of assigned accounts and those of subordinates and adjusts spending levels and fund re-allocations to ensure the availability of funds to cover expenditures.
Prepares various reports (e.g., program and operating budgets with tiered funding structures, financial statements, balance sheets, financial reports) of a complex nature and reviews those prepared by subordinates.
Coordinates the analyses of historical records and anticipated economic trends and forecasts future expenses and revenues, as well as the compilation of complex financial schedules and reports.
Interprets general accounting principles and financial procedures to management.
Functions as a liaison on accounting-related issues to the Office of Budget and Management, City Comptroller's Office, and government and delegate agencies.
Assists in designing and implementing computerized accounting systems and internal controls.
Processes and reviews invoice payments and purchase orders for various parties (e.g., refunds and payment voids, accounts payables issues, status of purchase orders and payment vouchers); prepares grant/project revenue collection reimbursement.
Reviews grant/project applications and awards and examines sub-grant agreements for any fiscal related requirements.
Reviews departmental requests for appropriating funds, authorizing grant/project obligations, monitoring and reporting grant/project expenditures, recording receivables and collections and closing out grant/project awards and submits final close-out reports to various grantors.
Additional duties may be required for this position.
NOTE: These positions may require working extended hours and some weekends during peak periods to ensure deadlines are met.
Location: Department of Finance
City Hall 121 N. LaSalle, Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60602
Shift: Monday-Friday
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
(Shift may vary due to the needs of the operation)
THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE
Qualifications
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a directly related field with 15 credit hours in Accounting, plus two years of professional auditing experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience, provided that the minimum degree requirement is met.
Note: You must provide your college or university transcripts displaying 15 completed semester hours in Accounting courses at the time of interview. IF YOU FAIL TO PROVIDE this information at the time of the interview you will NOT be allowed to proceed with the interview and will no longer be considered for this position.
It is best to upload all supporting documentation to your profile along with your resume at the time of application for review.
Selection Requirements: This position requires applicants to complete an interview. The interviewed bidders possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be selected in seniority order according to the collective bargaining agreement. The interviewed external candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be selected.
Desired Skills
Experience with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Governmental Accounting Standards.
Professional Accounting experience in grants management.
Experience with leading and managing a team.
Experience with annual audits and financial schedules.
Proficient in Microsoft Office including Excel and Outlook
For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at:
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html
For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at:
https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp_info/JobClassification/2026_Classification_and_Pay_Plan.pdf
APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. The Department of Human Resources staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices click here.
ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.
The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.
City of Chicago
Brandon Johnson, Mayor
Job Posting: Jul 29, 2026, 12:00:00 AM | Closing Date (Period for Applying) - External: Aug 12, 2026, 11:59:00 PM
BU: 04 | Salary: $87,516 Pay Basis:Yearly
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The LEAD ACCOUNTANT position is now open for candidates interested in the Accountant Jobs sector. This role in Chicago offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Accountant Jobs is a plus.
