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About Chicago Public Media

Chicago Public Media is one of the nation's largest local nonprofit news organizations. Home to WBEZ 91.5FM, the Chicago Sun-Times, and Vocalo. Chicago Public Media reaches more than 3.3 million people weekly across broadcast, print, and digital platforms. As a mission-driven organization, we aspire to be the most trusted news source Chicagoans turn to for understanding the people, events, and ideas shaping our community.

Chicago Public Media is a 100% community-funded newsroom powered by nearly 97,000 members whose support makes our journalism possible. This sustained community investment helped drive nationally recognized work in 2025, including 29 awards from esteemed organizations, including the Public Media Journalists Association, the Edward R. Murrow Awards, and the National Association of Black Journalists.

We believe independent journalism is essential to a healthy democracy and that access to objective, fact-based news is a right for every citizen. We serve the public interest by creating diverse content that informs and enriches our community, supported by a dedicated staff of approximately 250 professionals.

For more information, please see the Chicago Public Media Annual Report.

The Opportunity

The Payroll and Accounts Payable Specialist is a shared accounting role between Payroll and Accounts Payable. This role collaborates closely with Accounting, Human Resources (HR), and Accounts Payable and ensures timely and compliant processing of Payroll and Accounts Payable to support organizational financial processes. This role reports to the Senior Accounts Payable Coordinator.

General Responsibilities

• Payroll:

• Prepare and process bi-weekly payroll for all employees, ensuring accuracy and timeliness

• Maintain payroll records, including earnings, deductions, and benefits

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations

• Reconcile payroll reports and resolve discrepancies

• Coordinate with HR on new hires, terminations, and compensation changes

• Prepare and distribute payroll reports to Accounting

• Accounts Payable:

• Review, code, and process vendor invoices in accordance with organizational policies

• Solicit and process vendor W-9s and ACH forms

• Reconcile vendor statements and resolve invoice discrepancies

• Respond to vendor inquiries in a timely and professional manner

• Ensure adherence to internal controls and accounting policies

• Assist with audit requests and year-end reporting requirements (1099 and NEC forms)

• Work with Senior Accounts Payable Coordinator to:

• Other duties as assigned

Skills & Knowledge

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Knowledge of payroll laws and regulations
• Proficiency in HRIS (iSolved preferred), Sage Intacct, and MS Excel
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion
• Ability to effectively manage multiple, concurrent deadlines
• Effective written and verbal communication skills - Comfortable communicating to all levels of the organization

Minimum Qualification:  3+ years of Accounts Payable and Payroll experience. Not-for-profit experience is preferred.

Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field  

Certificates and/or Licenses: CPA or CPA candidate preferred

Compensation

The expected pay range for this position is $53,000 to $67,000 per ANNUM.

Chicago Public Media provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the organization reasonably expects to pay for a position.  The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographical location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Working at Chicago Public Media

At Chicago Public Media, we care deeply about our employees as we know attracting, developing, and growing talent is key to our success and enhancing our impact.  

Our culture is one where collaboration, diversity of ideas, and innovation are encouraged.  We value colleagues who will enhance our culture by bringing new ideas, divergent experiences, and talents to our dynamic workplace.

At Chicago Public Media we believe dedication to a great workplace includes supporting our employees and their families. As a result, we provide a broad and generous benefits package for employees at hire and in the years to come.

Our benefits include a competitive salary and benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, vacation, holidays, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement savings, and a commuter benefits plan.

Chicago Public Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we actively seek and welcome people from all backgrounds, orientations, and life experiences to join our team.

The essential functions described above are not all-inclusive and are not intended to create any contractual or other legal commitment. Chicago Public Media may change the content or format of this job at any time in its sole and exclusive discretion without notice.