Responsible for overseeing all financial aspects of grant administration, including budgeting, accounting, reporting, and compliance. Ensures that all grant-related financial activities comply with federal regulations, State of Illinois requirements, and organizational policies. The position plays a critical role in safeguarding grant funds, supporting program success, and maintaining audit readiness.
Characteristic Duties:
Grant Budget Planning & Management
- Lead the development, review, and monitoring of grant budgets in collaboration with program and leadership teams
- Ensure budgets are aligned with grant agreements, funding restrictions, and allowable cost principles
- Provide financial analysis and forecasting to support grant planning and sustainability
- Monitor budget-to-actual performance and identify variances, recommending corrective actions
Grant Accounting & Financial Oversight
- Oversee the day-to-day accounting for all grant-related transactions
- Ensure proper classification, recording, and tracking of grant revenues and expenditures
- Maintain accurate general ledger entries and grant-specific financial records
- Supervise the Grant Accountant(s) and provide guidance on accounting best practices
Reporting & Financial Analysis
- Prepare and review timely, accurate financial reports for funders, leadership, and internal stakeholders
- Ensure all reporting requirements are met in accordance with grant agreements
- Develop internal dashboards or reporting tools to track grant performance
- Support program managers with financial insights and reporting interpretation
Compliance & Regulatory Oversight
- Ensure strict adherence to federal regulations (including Uniform Guidance- 2 CFR Part 200), State of Illinois grant requirements, and funding agency guidelines
- Oversee compliance with allowable costs, cost allocation methodologies, and documentation standards
- Maintain strong internal controls to ensure proper use of grant funds
- Prepare for and coordinate external audits, monitoring visits, and compliance reviews
Internal Controls & Process Improvement
- Establish and improve policies and procedures related to grant accounting and compliance
- Ensure segregation of duties and sound financial controls over grant expenditures
- Identify risks and implement corrective actions to mitigate compliance issues
- Promote best practices in financial management across grant-funded programs
Team Leadership & Development
- Supervise and mentor the Grant Accountant(s)
- Provide training to program and finance staff on grant-related financial policies and procedures
- Foster a collaborative environment between finance and program teams
Performs related duties as assigned.
Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA or Master's preferred)
Required Experience:
- Minimum of 5-7 years of accounting experience, with at least 3 years in grant accounting or nonprofit finance
- Proven experience managing federal and/or state grants, preferably within Illinois
- Strong knowledge of federal grant regulations (Uniform Guidance- 2 CFR Part 200)
- Familiarity with State of Illinois grant compliance requirements
- Expertise in budget development, financial reporting, and fund accounting
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate across departments
- High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and compliance
- Proficiency in accounting systems and Excel
Preferred Experience:
- CPA or CMA designation
- Experience with nonprofit or governmental accounting environments
- Experience preparing for Single Audits or similar compliance reviews