Director of Accounting, Grants & Contracts

Leading Educators Careers

1d • $106,000 - $144,000 • Remote

About The Position

Leading Educators is seeking a Director of Accounting, Grants & Contracts to manage the full lifecycle of the organization's philanthropic, foundation, and government funding. This role is crucial as grant and contract revenue grows, overseeing budgeting, tracking, reporting, and compliance for restricted funds from proposal to closeout. The position serves as the primary liaison between Development and Finance, translating complex grant agreements into workable budgets and financial systems, ensuring compliance with federal requirements under 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance). A key responsibility will be leading the identification, selection, and implementation of a grants management system to replace manual processes with scalable, automated workflows, thereby streamlining grant forecasting, tracking, and closeout across the organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Accounting or Finance (CPA preferred)
• Minimum 8 years of nonprofit accounting and finance experience, including substantial experience managing multi-year, multi-funder, and federal/state grants and contracts
• Demonstrated ability to independently build relationships with Development or fundraising teams and lead proposal budget development
• Deep expertise in interpreting grant agreements, fiscal tracking, and funder reporting, including federal compliance under 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance)
• Proven track record leading the selection or implementation of a grants management system, or standardizing financial processes from manual to automated workflows
• Strong technical skills with financial systems and data tools (e.g., SageIntacct, Salesforce, Rippling)
• Strong understanding of GAAP, nonprofit revenue recognition rules, and indirect cost allocation methodology
• Authorization to work for any employer in the United States

Nice To Haves

• CPA preferred

Responsibilities

• Manage the full post-award lifecycle for federal, state, and private foundation grants and contracts, including setup, cost-reimbursement processing, drawdowns, invoicing, and financial reporting.
• Interpret grant agreements, fiscal tracking, and funder reporting requirements, with demonstrated knowledge of 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance) and indirect cost rate negotiations.
• Lead the selection or implementation of financial management systems, or standardize financial processes from manual, spreadsheet-based workflows into scalable, automated systems.
• Build strong partnerships with Development and fundraising teams, including hands-on experience developing proposal budgets and translating funder requirements into clear organizational guidance.
• Translate technical compliance requirements into clear, accessible guidance that empowers non-finance colleagues to make sound decisions.
• Design processes and systems that reduce friction, eliminate manual work, and create clarity across an organization.
• Take ownership of the grants and contracts accounting function and build it from the ground up.

Benefits

• 100% paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for individual employees
• Additional premium costs covered 60% by Leading Educators for partners and dependents on medical, dental, and vision plans
• 4% matching 401k plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical, childcare and commuter expenses
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Accrue 22 days of paid time off per year for the first three years of employment
• Accrue five additional days after the third and sixth year of employment
• 16 additional paid days off for various holidays, including three floating holidays

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director