Senior Grants Accountant

NATIONAL CENTER ON INSTITUTIONS AND•Milford Mill, MD

4d•$59,572 - $77,608•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Grants Accountant is responsible for centralizing and overseeing day-to-day grants accounting functions supporting NCIA. This role provides comprehensive financial oversight of restricted funding, including grant setup, cost tracking, billing, compliance monitoring, reporting, and audit readiness. Serving as the primary financial liaison between Finance, Program Leadership, and external funders, this position strengthens NCIA’s grants management infrastructure by combining hands-on accounting responsibilities with higher-level analysis, coordination, and process improvement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
3–5 years of nonprofit grants accounting experience
Must be able to successfully complete a criminal background check, fingerprinting, and drug screening.
Valid Maryland Driver’s License with less than 3 points.

Nice To Haves

federal and/or state funding experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead accounting activities related to grants across federal, state, and private funding sources.
Ensure accurate grant and project setup in the accounting system, including budgets, periods of performance, funding sources, and allowable cost structures.
Monitor grant spending against approved budgets and allocation methodologies, including enrollment-based or activity-based allocations.
Review and analyze grant transactions for accuracy, allowability, and proper coding.
Perform reconciliations of grant expenditures to general ledger activity and supporting documentation.
Prepare and review grant reimbursement requests, invoices, and financial reports.
Ensure timely submission of billing packages and compliance with funder deadlines.
Assist in preparing financial reports required by funders and leadership.
Ensure adherence to Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), funder requirements, and NCIA internal controls.
Maintain complete, organized, and audit-ready grant documentation in SharePoint or designated repositories.
Support Single Audit and SEFA preparation by compiling schedules and responding to documentation requests.
Serve as the primary finance partner to program leadership on grant budgets, spending trends, and funding requirements.
Collaborate with program staff to obtain supporting documentation and ensure expenses align with grant allowability.
Assist with financial communication to funders as needed.
Assist in the development and maintenance of grants management SOPs.
Identify and recommend process improvements to strengthen internal controls, tracking, and reporting.
Support optimization of Sage Intacct project structures and SharePoint documentation workflows.
Maintain accurate records, reports, and documentation as required.
Communicate professionally and effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
Perform other duties as assigned that are consistent with the scope and purpose of the position.