Grant Accountant

Public Counsel•Los Angeles, CA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Grant Accounting Manager, the Grant Accountant will join Public Counsel’s Finance team. The Grant Accountant will be responsible for managing the accounting and post-award (fiscal) aspects of all assigned contracts and grants. The Grant Accountant role is critical to grant compliance and efficient spenddown of awarded funds. This individual will use the data to engage in analysis and make recommendations to senior leadership regarding factors that impact grant performance, including staffing and other expenditures. The person in this position must be able to work autonomously. This position exercises independent judgment and discretion and is responsible for making recommendations to improve grant reporting procedures, compliance, accounting procedures, and grant performance. This position supports the Controller in the annual audit process, while ensuring accuracy and effectiveness in all accounting procedures. This position also works closely with the Chief Financial Officer to perform additional required financial analysis and projections/modeling related to grants and contracts. This position will involve the full breadth of grant accounting, with both pre-award and post-award activities, including budgeting, monitoring, and financial close-out.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Accounting or related field, OR a combination of education and years of experience in a directly related field
Minimum 2-3 years of work experience in nonprofit grant accounting
Recent experience with nonprofit financial software, preferably Financial Edge or other Blackbaud products
Federal and other government grant, contract, and subcontract administration experience preferred
Post-award management of legal services grants and contracts preferred
Office of Management and Budget (Uniform Guidance) regulations and compliance experience preferred
Knowledge and experience with accounting for grants, contracts, budgeting, and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP)
Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
Strong communication skills and a desire to learn and grow within the grant accounting function
High levels of emotional intelligence, maturity and cultural competency, including being curious, self-aware, cognizant of bias, empathetic, patient, and willing to listen, and having a growth and open mindset

Nice To Haves

Advanced certification in grant accounting or management/administration preferred

Responsibilities

Maintain accurate financial records for assigned grants, including revenue, expenditures, and budget-to-actual monitoring
Review financial terms and conditions for subgrant and subcontract agreements between Public Counsel and external partners and funders
Serve as primary contact for assigned grants during single audits, desk audits, and funder monitoring visits including determining which documentations answers auditor requests and resolves findings
Prepare monthly invoices, summary financial reports, and other reports required by funding agencies according to sponsor requirements
Monitor monthly assigned project activity to prevent over or under expenditure and review submitted check requests and expense reimbursements to ensure they are allowable, reasonable, and allocable to the grant or contract
Respond to requests for information and interact regularly with the Grants team, the Legal Data team, Directing Attorneys, and program staff
Represent Public Counsel in responding promptly to inquiries from federal and non-federal contracts and grants officers, providing information (budget clarification and justifications) and documentation to meet their needs and requirements
Lead the preparation of internal and external financial reports, including monthly and quarterly check-ins with programmatic teams
Provide feedback on improving accounting procedures, reporting workflows, and grant management systems
Design and put in place grant reporting dashboards and accounting processes for program teams
Maintain knowledge of active grants and related reporting requirement
Work closely with Directing Attorneys and Grant Accounting Manager on budgeting
Review grant coding on expenditures to ensure compliance
Prepare journal entries and reconcile grants invoices with general ledger
Reconcile assigned general ledger accounts and prepare grant financial statements
Review and monitor subcontracts and ensure proper general ledger reporting
Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

Medical coverage with an option for 100% employer-paid employee and dependent child(ren)’s premiums; buy-up options are available for other HMO and PPO coverage
Dental and vision coverage
Option to enroll in a Flexible Spending Account
Employer-paid life insurance and disability plans
Generous paid time off (per year): 15 accrued vacation days that increase to 20 days after 3 years of employment
12 accrued sick days that may be used for physical and mental health needs
2 personal observance days
11 paid holidays plus 2 one-week office closures (during the summer and winter)
Up to 60 hours of compensatory time per calendar year (for exempt staff only)
403(b) retirement plan with an elective employee contribution, and after a year of employment a discretionary employer contribution
Free on-site parking or public transportation reimbursement
$45 per pay period for employees who use non-English language skills to perform work duties
Up to 6 months of parental leave
Organizational and team wellness activities to build team cohesion and camaraderie
Professional development support and opportunities
Annual payment of dues for required licenses or certifications (state bar dues for attorneys) and for a mutually agreed-upon professional organization