Contracts and Grants Accountant

nas; United States; Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Academies is seeking a Contracts and Grants Accountant to manage complex portfolios of government contracts and grants. You will bill, report, and analyze revenue, and serve as a subject matter expert, providing high-level customer service on billing and related issues across centers and academies.

Responsibilities include preparing sponsor invoicing, conducting reconciliations, and supporting audits while maintaining confidentiality and accuracy in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Experience with grant and contract financial management for government or non-profit organizations.
• Ability to interpret contract and grant terms for billing and financial reporting.
• Experience with accounts receivable, AR aging and cash/bank reconciliations and revenue recognition; project-based accounting preferred.
• Experience preparing standard US government reports such as SF425, SF270, SF1034, SF1035, etc. strongly preferred.
• Excellent communication and the ability to guide staff with varied financial backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Manages a portfolio within a matrix finance organization by coordinating billing and receivable matters with internal and external customers.
• Reconciles and analyzes revenue, billable, and unbillable amounts monthly.
• Prepare timely and accurate sponsor invoices and supporting documents and financial reports.
• Provides financial analysis including settlement proposals and grant-to-date burden rate analysis for contract closeout.
• Communicates with sponsors and internal customers to resolve issues and ensure timely results.
• Supports internal and external audits and ad-hoc data collection and reporting.

Job description

Job Description Summary:

The Contracts and Grants Accountant manages large, complex portfolios which may include contracts and grants for multiple sponsors in one or more centers, offices, and Academies. Works independently using professional judgement to apply financial, accounting, problem solving and communications skills to prepare complex invoices/financial reports for various types of government contracts and grants. The role also serves as a subject matter expert to National Academies staff and provides a high-level of customer service experience both inside and outside the organization regarding billing, collection, technical troubleshooting and other relevant fields. Exercises appropriate level of professional care in carrying out accounting duties as it relates to accuracy, completeness, compliance and documentation of work.

Operates closely with members of Contracts and Grants Accounting unit but is also a key member of a finance service team that includes the contract manager, finance business partner(s) and cash application team. The finance service team supports a wide range of financial support for programmatic activities throughout the award life cycle as well as audit and other organisational initiatives. This role requires the ability to effectively multi-task and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced and changing environment

Job Description:

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

• Manages a portfolio within a matrix finance organization by coordinating billing and receivable matters with internal and external customers.
• Leverages strong professional and interpersonal communication skills to establish rapport and build effective partnerships, inside and outside the organization.
• Reconciles and analyzes revenue, billable, and unbillable amounts monthly.
• Prepare a timely and accurate sponsor invoice, supporting document package, financial report as needed.
• Provides financial analysis and support including, but not limited to, settlement proposal, final SF425, grant to date annual burden rate analysis for contract closeout.
• Effectively communicates with sponsors and internal customers including the contract manager, finance business partner, or other National Academies staff regarding various expenses for billing and financial reporting purposes to achieve results and timely resolution of issues.
• Supports external and internal customers through ad-hoc data collecting, reporting, analysis and special projects.
• Provides support to internal and external audits.
• Maintains an appropriate standard of confidentiality. When handling secure, privileged, sensitive, or confidential information and matters, maintains strict confidence and exercises care to prevent disclosure to others. Accesses confidential information for work‑related reasons only, following the policies and procedures of the organization. Ensures that any privileged, sensitive, or confidential information is securely stored, disposed of, and transmitted according to the Institutional guidance.

NONESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Related duties and special projects assigned.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Practical experience with grant and contract financial management for government or non‑profit organization.
• Ability to interpret relevant financial terms and conditions of contracts and grants to be applied in billing and financial reporting activities.
• Practical experience with accounting and financial principles, including but not limited to accounts receivables, AR aging and collections, cash/bank reconciliations and revenue recognition. Experience with project-based accounting is preferred.
• Experience of preparing standard US government reports such as SF425, SF270, SF1034, SF1035 etc. strongly preferred.
• Capable of accomplishing basic daily tasks independently with minimum supervision and maintaining a high level of efficiency and accuracy
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills with a proven ability to effectively provide guidance to staff with and without financial management background
• Ability to manage and maintain privileged, sensitive, and confidential information and matters appropriately. Demonstrated ability of exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing in sensitive situations.
• Ability to leverage technology, including an ERP, Microsoft Excel, and other analytical tools. Demonstrated proficiency in Excel.
• Experience with automated accounting/ERP systems such as Workday and Workday Financials preferred.

Minimum Education/Training Requirements: Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or related field, or equivalent knowledge.

Minimum Experience: Five years of related professional experience.

Physical Capabilities: Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time.

Required Licenses, Certification or Registration: None.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls: Reports to Manager/Director. General direction is provided.

Work Environment: Hybrid Office/Telecommute envir