Gift and Grant Accountant

CW Talent•Williamsburg, VA

6d•$59,600 - $89,400•Onsite

About The Position

The Gift and Grant Accountant, reporting to the Assistant Controller, is responsible for the financial stewardship, accounting, reporting, and compliance oversight of restricted gifts, grants, endowments, and other donor-supported funds. This role partners closely with Development, Finance, cost center budget managers, and program leaders to ensure transactions are recorded accurately, donor and sponsor restrictions are honored, financial reports are timely and reliable, and internal controls are maintained. The position plays a critical role in supporting audit readiness, fund transparency, and sound financial decision-making across a complex, mission-driven organization.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in accounting.
Minimum of 3–5 years of progressive accounting experience, preferably in higher education, nonprofit, foundation, sponsored programs, or fund accounting environments.
Experience with restricted fund, grant, endowment, or gift accounting, including reconciliations, reporting, and compliance support.
Strong knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and internal control practices.
Demonstrated ability to analyze financial data, interpret agreements, and manage multiple deadlines with a high degree of accuracy.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience working with ERP or financial systems.

Nice To Haves

Experience with donor databases, development systems, grant management systems, Workday, or fund accounting platforms.
Experience preparing audit schedules, donor stewardship reports, or endowment spending analyses.

Responsibilities

Manage the accounting and financial administration of restricted gifts, grants, endowments, and other donor- or sponsor-funded accounts, including fund setup, maintenance, and closeout.
Establish and maintain appropriate general ledger accounts, fund codes, project codes, and supporting schedules to ensure accurate tracking of restricted activity.
Record journal entries, reconcile cash and investment activity, and prepare monthly reconciliations for restricted funds, pledges, endowments, grants receivable, deferred revenue, and related balance sheet accounts.
Support sponsored and restricted fund lifecycle activities, including budget revisions, release of restrictions, transfers, cost-share tracking, billing or draw requests when applicable, and financial closeout.
Review gift agreements, grant awards, and supporting documentation to interpret financial terms, restrictions, reporting requirements, allowable uses, and compliance obligations.
Monitor expenditures and fund balances to ensure transactions are accurate, properly coded, allowable, and consistent with donor intent, sponsor requirements, institutional policy, and applicable accounting standards.
Prepare documentation and respond to requests for external audits, single audits when applicable, donor reviews, and internal compliance reviews.
Maintain strong internal controls, documentation standards, and records retention practices for gift and grant transactions.
Prepare periodic financial reports for internal stakeholders, sponsors, donors, and leadership, including budget-to-actual analyses in conjunction with Finance, spending summaries, and fund balance reports.
Assist with month-end and year-end close activities related to restricted funds, endowments, and grants, including account analysis, roll forwards, audit schedules, and financial statement support.
Partner with Development, program leaders, cost center administrators, and Finance staff to resolve discrepancies, support stewardship reporting, and improve restricted fund processes.
Identify opportunities to improve processes, reporting, training, and systems related to gift and grant accounting and contribute to implementation of best practices.