1

Accounting Instructor Jobs in Naperville, IL (NOW HIRING)

The number of adjunct instructors hired varies from semester to semester, depending upon the needs ... Adjunct faculty teaching accounting. Education Requirements: A bachelor's degree in accounting or a ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Accounting Instructor information

See Naperville, IL salary details

$28K

$65.1K

$88.4K

How much do accounting instructor jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for accounting instructor in Naperville, IL is $65,142.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,900.00 and $69,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges faced by Accounting Instructors when designing course material, and how can these be addressed?

Accounting Instructors often encounter the challenge of making complex concepts accessible to students with varying levels of prior knowledge. Balancing theoretical frameworks with practical, real-world examples is key to keeping students engaged and ensuring comprehension. Instructors can address these challenges by incorporating interactive case studies, leveraging accounting software demonstrations, and providing ongoing formative feedback. Collaborating with colleagues in curriculum planning also helps ensure consistency and relevance across courses.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Accounting Instructor, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Accounting Instructor, you need a strong background in accounting principles, teaching experience, and typically a CPA certification or relevant advanced degree. Familiarity with accounting software like QuickBooks and Microsoft Excel, as well as learning management systems (LMS), is commonly required. Exceptional communication, patience, and the ability to engage and motivate students are crucial soft skills. These competencies ensure effective teaching, accurate content delivery, and meaningful student learning outcomes in accounting education.

What does an Accounting Instructor do?

An Accounting Instructor is responsible for teaching students the principles and practices of accounting, including topics such as financial accounting, managerial accounting, taxation, and auditing. They develop lesson plans, deliver lectures, create assignments, and assess student progress. Accounting Instructors may also provide guidance on career paths in accounting and stay updated on industry standards to ensure their curriculum is relevant. Their goal is to help students gain the knowledge and skills needed for accounting roles in various industries.

What is the difference between Accounting Instructor vs Accounting Tutor?

AspectAccounting InstructorAccounting Tutor
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in accounting or education, sometimes certifications like CPAOften has relevant knowledge or certifications but may not require formal teaching credentials
Work EnvironmentUsually works in educational institutions, colleges, or universitiesOften works independently or online, providing one-on-one or small group tutoring
Employer & Industry UsageEmployed by schools, colleges, or universities to teach accounting coursesHired by students or tutoring companies for personalized accounting help

Accounting instructors primarily teach accounting at educational institutions and often hold formal teaching credentials, while accounting tutors provide personalized assistance, often independently or online, focusing on specific student needs. Both roles require accounting knowledge, but their work settings and credentials differ.

What Does an Accounting Instructor Do?

Accounting instructors teach accounting at a community college or vocational school or deliver private classes for a company. In this job, your duties and responsibilities may differ depending on the type of institution at which you teach, but they most likely include designing or carrying out a curriculum and lecturing on a range of subjects, such as profit & loss (P&L) analysis, interpretation of financial information, and financial transaction methods. You may also design assessment tools, such as quizzes and tests, meet with students, and attend department meetings.

What are the most commonly searched types of Accounting Instructor jobs in Naperville, IL? The most popular types of Accounting Instructor jobs in Naperville, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Accounting Instructor jobs in Naperville, IL? For Accounting Instructor jobs in Naperville, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Accounting Instructor jobs in Naperville, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Accounting Instructor jobs in Naperville, IL are:
What cities near Naperville, IL are hiring for Accounting Instructor jobs? Cities near Naperville, IL with the most Accounting Instructor job openings:
Infographic showing various Accounting Instructor job openings in Naperville, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,142 per year, or $31.3 per hour.
Accounting Full-Time Tenure Track Faculty

Accounting Full-Time Tenure Track Faculty

Harper College

Palatine, IL

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life

Posted 21 days ago


Harper College rating

9.2

Company rating: 9.2 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

15th of 611 rated colleges and universities


Job description

The Accounting Department at Harper College is actively seeking a student-centered diverse pool of candidates to fill a full-time faculty position specializing in the field of Accounting. Successful candidates will assume responsibilities that encompass a broad spectrum of courses, encompassing, but not restricted to teaching courses offered by the Accounting Department. This may include introductory-level accounting courses, as well as upper-level courses such as Intermediate Accounting I and II, Cost Accounting, etc.   

The Accounting program provides theory and training in the skills essential to equipping students to prepare for career programs in bookkeeping and/or tax specializations, to transfer to baccalaureate degrees in accounting or business, or prepare for post- baccalaureate certificates to prepare for CPA or CMA exams.   

About us:   

Harper College was established by referendum in 1965 and opened its doors in September 1967. Named after Dr. William Rainey Harper, a pioneer in the junior college movement in the United States and the first president of the University of Chicago, the College carries forward this legacy of innovation in education. 

Today, Harper College stands as one of the nation's premier community colleges and one of the largest, serving approximately 29,000 students annually in Chicago's northwest suburbs. Our academic programs are designed to prepare students for rewarding careers and seamless transfer to four-year universities. Harper offers a wide range of associate degree and certification programs, advanced career tracks, workforce training, professional development opportunities, continuing education classes, accelerated degree options for adults, and developmental education programs. 

At Harper College, we are committed to facilitating active learning and fostering the knowledge, critical thinking, and life/work skills necessary for participation in our global society. We collaborate with our community partners to enrich the intellectual, cultural, and economic fabric of our district. We believe that excellence in education must thrive within an ethical environment of integrity and respect. We recognize that the strength of our society is rooted in diversity, and it is through synergy that we achieve excellence. Our core values-Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence-guide everything we do. 

Aspen Prize 

Harper College was a semifinalist for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation's most prestigious recognition for community colleges that are attaining high and improving levels of student success, as well as equitable outcomes for Black and Latine students and those from lower-income backgrounds. 

Harper College was a semi-finalist for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, a prestigious award for two-year colleges, and was recently honored as one of the top 20 institutions for excellence in the U.S. by the Aspen Institute. Harper was also one of the 25 semifinalists for the 2023 prize. 

Student Population 

Harper's campus community reflects the diversity of Chicago's northwest suburbs, as the college serves a large population of first generation, multilingual, and neurodivergent students. 

Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Institution (AANAPISI)  

In 2023, Harper College was designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Institution (AANAPISI) 

This designation provides federal funding to enhance educational programs and support services for Latine and underrepresented students. 

Latine students make up about 30% of Harper's enrollment, reflecting the College's pride in its HSI status. 

Equity and Diversity Award 

Harper College received the 2023 Equity and Diversity Award from the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA). 

The award honors leadership in promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity for underrepresented groups. 

Harper previously won this award in 2017 

Schedule Information: The successful candidate is expected to teach 30 contact hours each year in the Accounting Department. In addition to teaching 30 contact hours per academic year, a full-time faculty member serves on departmental, divisional and institutional committees; holds six office hours per week (some of which must be on campus); and pursues professional development opportunities related to discipline and pedagogy. Evening and weekend instruction may be required.  Instruction may take place in face to face, online, blended and flex formats. 

Weeks per fiscal year:  Faculty are covered under a 9-month contract period. We are seeking a full-time colleague to begin in Spring 2027

Benefits:  Health, Dental, Life & Disability Insurance; Sick and Holiday pay; Personal Business; Educational Assistance: Tuition Waivers at Harper & Professional Expense 

Position Description and Duties: 

The Accounting Department at Harper College is actively seeking a student-centered diverse pool of candidates to fill a full-time faculty position specializing in the field of Accounting. Successful candidates will assume responsibilities that encompass a broad spectrum of courses, encompassing, but not restricted to teaching courses offered by the Accounting Department. This may include introductory-level accounting courses, as well as upper-level courses such as Intermediate Accounting I and II, Cost Accounting, etc.   

The Accounting program provides theory and training in the skills essential to equipping students to prepare for career programs in bookkeeping and/or tax specializations, to transfer to baccalaureate degrees in accounting or business, or prepare for post- baccalaureate certificates to prepare for CPA or CMA exams. 

Harper College provides excellent facilities to students and faculty in the Accounting program.  The college has the following labs and facilities as part of the learning environment, including classrooms with smart podiums and computer labs. 

The successful candidate will be able to teach a wide variety of introductory courses to students of diverse backgrounds and varying levels of college readiness using traditional and alternative delivery methods. We encourage interested candidates to familiarize themselves with our course offerings. This position teaches a standard load of fifteen (15) contact hours per semester (30 contact hours per academic year) consisting chiefly of courses offered by the Accounting Department. This may include introductory-level accounting courses, as well as upper-level courses such as Intermediate Accounting I and II, Cost Accounting, etc. Courses may be delivered in a variety of formats, including in-person, blended, and online. courses. This may include reassigned time to be given for chair/coordinator duties. Classes may be offered in day, evening, and/or online modalities and may also have the opportunity to teach in the Honors Program, Social Justice Studies Program and "linked" courses (through the college's Learning Communities Program). 

Educational Requirements: A master's degree in accounting or related field with at least 18 graduate hours in Accounting. Preferred CPA.

Experience Requirements: The following are preferred knowledge, skills, and experiences for a successful candidate:  

Two years of college-level teaching experience is required with two years of community college teaching experience strongly preferred. 

Equivalent of one year's full-time non-teaching work experience in the field is required with two years of non-teaching work experience preferred.

Application Review Date: Applications are accepted until the position is filled though priority will be given to applications received on or before October 1, 2025. 

Special Notes: 

*You will not be able to complete the application without attaching the following documents:  

Cover letter  

CV/Resume (Does not substitute for completed application)  

Copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts from Regionally accredited institutions  

A one-page single-spaced statement of your teaching philosophy. In your teaching philosophy, please include how you approach classroom management, how you assess students, and how you use instructional technology.  

*Official transcripts required upon hire.   

*Employment is contingent upon a Criminal Background Check  

*Employment Sponsorship is not available  


What Harper College employees say

Pay

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom