Grant Accountant

United Way for Southeastern Michigan • Detroit, MI

1d • $75,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Every day, United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSEM) works alongside community partners, donors, and nonprofits to create measurable, lasting change across Southeastern Michigan. By investing in programs that support education, economic stability, and health, UWSEM helps ensure individuals and families have the resources they need not just to get by, but to thrive. Our work is grounded in collaboration, accountability, and a deep commitment to the communities we serve.
This full‑time position offers a salary $75,000, along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes major medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 403(b) retirement plan, short‑ and long‑term disability, AD&D coverage, ASPCA pet insurance, a DoorDash discount, 20 days of paid time off per year, 12 paid holidays, and one floating holiday.
The Grant Accountant is responsible for the financial setup, recording, monitoring, reporting, and ensuring that grant funds are used appropriately and in compliance with the regulations set by funders and UWSEM policies. This position also plays a key role in grant budgeting, reconciliation, and identifying financial risks and variances throughout the grant lifecycle.
This role partners closely with program and finance leaders to ensure strong financial stewardship of grant‑funded work across United Way for Southeastern Michigan. The position is responsible for grant budgeting, setup, accounting, reporting, and compliance, supporting the full lifecycle of public and private grants.
Key responsibilities include developing and reviewing grant budgets, setting up awards in the financial system, interpreting grant agreements, and monitoring spending against approved budgets. The role prepares journal entries, performs reconciliations, analyzes variances, and maintains documentation to support audits and compliance reviews. It also prepares accurate financial reports and invoices for grantors, ensuring expenditures are allowable and aligned with funder requirements.
In addition, this role identifies financial risks, communicates insights to internal stakeholders, and collaborates with program, IT, and business teams to resolve system challenges and improve reporting. The position serves as a financial resource to project staff, providing guidance on grant regulations and best practices to support compliance and mission impact.
Oversee the financial closeout of completed grants, including final financial reporting, reconciliation of grant records, and verification that all financial obligations and required documentation are complete and compliant with funder requirements.
The ideal candidate brings at least five years of accounting experience in a nonprofit environment, with a strong foundation in GAAP and nonprofit accounting principles. They demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills, paired with exceptional organizational abilities and a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. Proficiency in Blackbaud Financial Edge is essential, along with advanced capabilities in Microsoft Office 365, particularly Excel and data analysis. This role requires the ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with cross‑functional teams, analyze and solve complex financial and business data challenges, and manage multiple priorities in a deadline‑driven environment.

Requirements

• at least five years of accounting experience in a nonprofit environment
• strong foundation in GAAP and nonprofit accounting principles
• excellent verbal and written communication skills
• exceptional organizational abilities
• high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
• Proficiency in Blackbaud Financial Edge is essential
• advanced capabilities in Microsoft Office 365, particularly Excel and data analysis
• ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with cross‑functional teams
• analyze and solve complex financial and business data challenges
• manage multiple priorities in a deadline‑driven environment
• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in accounting or finance, with a focus on grant management or nonprofit accounting.
• Proficiency in accounting software and Microsoft Excel, with the ability to analyze financial data effectively.

Responsibilities

• developing and reviewing grant budgets
• setting up awards in the financial system
• interpreting grant agreements
• monitoring spending against approved budgets
• preparing journal entries
• performing reconciliations
• analyzing variances
• maintaining documentation to support audits and compliance reviews
• preparing accurate financial reports and invoices for grantors
• ensuring expenditures are allowable and aligned with funder requirements
• identifying financial risks
• communicating insights to internal stakeholders
• collaborating with program, IT, and business teams to resolve system challenges and improve reporting
• providing guidance on grant regulations and best practices to support compliance and mission impact
• overseeing the financial closeout of completed grants

Benefits

• major medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 403(b) retirement plan
• short‑ and long‑term disability
• AD&D coverage
• ASPCA pet insurance
• DoorDash discount
• 20 days of paid time off per year
• 12 paid holidays
• one floating holiday

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees