Grants accountant

Third Way Grants accountant
Location Washington DC
Application deadline 31 December 2019
Contract type Permanent
Hours Full-time
Salary Commensurate with experience
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Third Way is a national think tank that champions modern center-left ideas.

The role

The Grants Accountant performs the accounting and financial support functions for program and organization-wide foundation grants. These functions include: preparing financial projections and contributing to budgets, expense tracking, actual v. budget reporting, reviewing/monitoring of individual grants and transactions for compliance with grant funds requirements, billing and collections, journal entries, and financial grant reporting including preparation of report financials for granting authorities.

This position may also be required to verify budget proposals for grant applications and ensure staff time allocations are valid. The Grants Accountant provides accounting support to the finance department as well as program heads. The position will also answer inquiries from external auditors concerning grant information and effectively communicate complex financial issues to employees, auditors, and granting agencies.

Key roles and responsibilities

As the Grants Accountant, a typical day might include:

  • Working extensively with the Director of Finance, Grant Manager and other program staff.
  • Planning, organizing, and coordinating the accounting and financial reporting for grant portfolios, including: supporting the preparation of the annual and project budgets, forecasting revenue, estimating any carry-over of funds from one year to the next.
  • Researching issues, preparing invoices and recording restricted fund expenditures.
  • Preparing or assisting with the preparation of all applicable financial reports for programs and ensures the timely submission thereof.
  • Coordinating with key personnel at all levels of the organization to support proper and timely expenditure of grant funds in compliance with applicable guidelines and budget deadlines.
  • Developing positive working relationships to foster a collaborative environment for grant coordination and oversight.
  • Computing, preparing, applying and submitting the annual indirect cost rate.
  • Compiling year-end reports, work papers and analysis necessary for the auditors to complete the yearly audit.
  • Maintaining grants financial records and databases.
  • Reviewing and approving journal entries for programs, assigning account codes and monitoring charges for reasonableness and compliance with each individual grant.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Within 1 month you will:

  • Participate in Third Way’s comprehensive onboarding program. You’ll learn all aspects of Business Operations, which includes benefits, IT, finance, and office operations.
  • Meet your Third Way Buddy; be introduced to the entire staff, and start to learn the TW’s culture.
  • Learn our current processes for payroll, compliance, labor tracking, and how you will partner with the Business Operations team.
  • Participate in weekly one-on-ones with your manager to ensure you fully understand the expectations of the job.
  • Learn about the key goals of your role, and how you will contribute to our mission.
  • Learn about Third Way’s accounting systems and the current grants.

Within 2 months you will:

  • Gain an understanding of each employee’s role and their contribution to the organization.
  • Attend program overview sessions to learn more about each team’s mission.
  • Learn about Third Way’s history: our successes, our failures, and teachable moments.
  • Participate in an internal Professional Development training or a Center for Fun activity.
  • Embrace TW’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and respect in the workplace.
  • Help design a comprehensive grants budget management process.

Within 3 months you will:

  • Feel a sense of comfort and familiarity with the staff, your team, and your work.
  • Attend weekly departmental meetings with a stronger understanding of your goals.
  • Bring new ideas and suggestions to your weekly one-on-ones with your manager.
  • Implement new processes into the monthly grants budget meeting.
  • Complete your 90 day self-evaluation and performance review with your manager.
  • Partner with your manager to establish your long-term goals for the remainder of the year.

Experience and skills

This might be the job for you, if you:

  • Have a degree in accounting, finance, business administration or related field
  • Have at least 3-4 years of experience in general accounting; grant accounting is a plus
  • Are detailed oriented, can prioritize, self-direct, and analyze situations
  • Have working knowledge of GAAP and non-profit accounting
  • Are skilled in researching, analyzing and evaluating complex financial data
  • Are able to develop clear, concise, and accurate financial reports in MS Excel
  • Have excellent interpersonal skills, ability to provide a high level of customer service and establish and maintain effective interdepartmental communications and relationships
  • Are proficient in MS Office, Sage Intacct, and comprehensive databases
  • Are curious and eager for professional development
  • Think on your feet and adapt to changes effortlessly
  • Communicate complex financial data clearly and effectively in writing and verbally with non-financial colleagues.

In the Third Way Culture, we are looking for:

  • Self-starters: People who see and seize opportunities, take risks, learn from failure, and will bring a sustained passion for our mission.
  • Collaborators: People who work in teams—sharing ideas, brainstorming, co-authoring products, and advancing its shared priorities.
  • Creators: People who fosters divergent thinking; that aren’t afraid to take on the orthodoxies of the left or the right. Team members come up with original insights, find unique ways to look at data, and challenge their preconceptions.
  • Results-oriented: People who function with an organizational commitment to clear objectives, ambitious timelines, accountability for results, and a focus on impact.
  • Respectful: People who embrace the diverse perspectives of everyone and fosters the values of diversity, equity, and inclusiveness at all times.

Other relevant information

Third Way is an equal opportunity employer that celebrates, supports and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable laws.