Contracts and Grants Accountant

National Academy of Sciences; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

National Academies seeks a Contracts and Grants Accountant to manage complex portfolios of contracts and grants across multiple centers. You will prepare invoices and financial reports for government contracts, serving as a subject matter expert and delivering high-level customer service on billing and related issues.

The role requires independent work in a fast-paced environment, collaboration with the finance service team, strong Excel and ERP skills, Workday experience, and careful handling

Qualifications

• Grant and contract financial management experience in government or non-profit.
• Ability to interpret contract/grant terms for billing and reporting.
• Accounting principles including AR aging, reconciliations, revenue recognition.
• Experience with SF425, SF270, SF1034/SF1035 preferred.
• Independent with minimal supervision; efficient and accurate.
• Capable of managing multiple priorities to meet deadlines.
• Strong communication and ability to guide staff.
• Handle confidential information with tact and discretion.
• Proficient with ERP & Excel; Workday experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage a grant/contract portfolio and coordinate billing with customers.
• Communicate effectively with internal/external partners to resolve issues.
• Reconcile revenue, billable and unbillable amounts monthly.
• Prepare sponsor invoices and supporting financial reports as needed.
• Provide financial analysis and support including burden rate analysis.
• Support audits and data requests from internal/external stakeholders.

Skills

Grants & contracts mgmt

Contract terms interpretation

GAAP accounting basics

SF425/SF270 familiarity

Multi-tasking under deadlines

Communication & guidance

Confidential information handling

ERP & Excel proficiency

Workday familiarity

Non-profit government accounting

Education

Bachelor's in Accounting

Tools

Excel

Workday

Workday Financials

Billing / accounting software

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 organizational initiatives. This role requires the ability to effectively multi-task and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced and changing environment

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 environment, expected onsite percentage 60%, with occasional travel between National Academies' facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations.

Compensation & Benefits:

An estimated compensation range for this position is $73,760 - $92,190. Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate's relevant knowledge, skills, and work experience, commensurate with compensation of current employees in comparable positions with similar knowledge, skills, and work experience, and subject to budget parameters. Note it is not typical for a candidate to be hired at the higher end of the range. This is a benefits-eligible position. Our Benefits Plan offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement and savings benefits, leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance. For more information, please clickhere.

Any qualification to be considered equivalent, in lieu of stated minimum, requires the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Some functions in this description may be specific to a particular unit of the National Academies and not applicable to other units.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

It is the policy of the National Academies to recruit, hire, transfer, compensate, and promote people in all job categories and to administer all other personnel actions, terms and conditions of employment in a manner that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. It is also the institution's policy to recruit, hire, promote, and provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and covered veterans who are otherwise qualified

Job Family:

ACCT

Employee Type: Employee

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 37.5

City/State: Washington, District of Columbia