Grants and Contracts Accountant

Lawson State Community College; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 53,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

Lawson State Community College in Birmingham, Alabama, seeks a Grant and Contracts Accountant to manage accounting for externally funded grants and contracts. Salary placement on Schedule E2 02, with progression based on experience, ranges from about $52,707 to $70,896 annually.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field and at least three years of relevant experience, including familiarity with computer-automated accounting systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with a major in accounting, business administration, or related field from a regionally accredited university.
• Three years of experience in accounting, business, finance or related field; and experience in a college or university setting preferred
• Experience with a computer-automated accounting system

Responsibilities

• Knowledge of accounting principles and ability to apply and adapt established methods to varied account transactions.
• Ability to prepare complete and accurate accounting reports and statements of moderate difficulty.
• Ability to perform detailed work involving written or numerical data and to make mathematical computations rapidly and accurately.
• Inputs and posts accounting data to general ledger accounts from subsidiary record and other sources.
• M makes adjustment journal vouchers, verifying for correct application of accounting principles and for mathematical accuracy.
• Assists in the development of new methods and procedures for the operation of accounting department.
• Conducts special surveys of institutional fiscal operations for use in preparing budgets or controlling expenditures; prepare reports of such surveys for managerial decision making.
• Assists in preparation of annual budget, prepares reports for and advises department heads on available budgets.
• Review requisitions for Restricted Fund expenses for compliance with the available Budget Grant Award.
• Ensure proper documentation of all cash receipts and expenditures on grants and contracts.
• Prepare invoice for reimbursements from local, state, and federal granting agencies.
• Prepare budget set up for all new, approved grants; create carryover budgets for approved budgets.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual reports in compliance with all grants and contracts.
• Prepare regular reconciliations between general ledger and granting agencies.
• Prepare all Grant and Contracts files for audit, storage and records retention.
• Serve on various college committees as assigned.
• Assist with fiscal year end closing and external annual audit.
• Assist in registration process.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Excel proficiency

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in accounting or related field

Three years accounting/finance experience

Experience in college/university setting preferred

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Position Summary

The Grant and Contracts Accountant reports directly to the Director of Accounting. This position performs professional accounting work and for the maintenance of restricted budgets and reporting for externally funded grants and contracts.

Salary Schedule Placement: Appropriate placement on Salary Schedule E2 02 ($50,680 - $68,169) based on experience. Effective September 1st, 2026 E2 02 ($52,707-$70,896) based on experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Knowledge of accounting principles and methods and ability to apply and adapt established methods to varied account transactions.
• Ability to prepare complete and accurate accounting reports and statements of moderate difficulty.
• Ability to perform detailed work involving written or numerical data and to make mathematical computations rapidly and accurately.
• Inputs and posts accounting data to general ledger accounts from subsidiary record and other sources.
• Makes adjustment journal vouchers, verifying for correct application of accounting principles and for mathematical accuracy.
• Assists in the development of new methods and procedures for the operation of accounting department.
• Conducts special surveys of institutional fiscal operations for use in preparing budgets or controlling expenditures; prepare reports of such surveys for managerial decision making.
• Assists in preparation of annual budget, prepares reports for and advises department heads on available budgets.
• Review requisitions for Restricted Fund expenses for compliance with the available Budget Grant Award.
• Ensure proper documentation of all cash receipts and expenditures on grants and contracts.
• Prepare invoice for reimbursements from local, state, and federal granting agencies.
• Prepare budget set up for all new, approved grants; create carryover budgets for approved budgets.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual reports in compliance with all grants and contracts.
• Prepare regular reconciliations between general ledger and granting agencies.
• Prepare all Grant and Contracts files for audit, storage and records retention.
• Serve on various college committees as assigned.
• Assist with fiscal year end closing and external annual audit.
• Assist in registration process.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

This description is a general statement of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular basis. It does not exclude other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION, STANDARDS, AND TRAINING:

• Bachelor’s Degree with a major in accounting, business administration, or related field from a regionally accredited university.
• Three years of experience in accounting, business, finance or related field; and experience in a college or university setting preferred
• Experience with a computer-automated accounting system

REQUIRED LICENSE, CERTIFICATION, OR SPECIAL CREDENTIALS:

None

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS AND JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced environment and ability to multi-task
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of office information.

EEOC, E-VERIFY, AND BACKGROUND CHECK STATEMENTS:

Lawson State Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the Alabama Community College System, including all postsecondary community and technical colleges under the control of the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees, that no employee or applicant for employment or promotion, on the basis of any impermissible criterion or characteristic including, without limitation, race, color, national origin, religion, marital status, disability, sex, age, or any other protected class as defined by federal and state law, shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or employment. Lawson State Community College will make reasonable accommodations for qualified disabled applicants upon request. In accordance with Alabama Community College System Policy and Guidelines, the applicant chosen for employment will be required to sign a consent form for a criminal background check. Employment will be contingent upon the receipt of a clearance notification from the criminal background check. Lawson State Community College is an active participant in the Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-verify). E-verify electronically confirms an employee's eligibility to work in the United States as required by the Department of Homeland Security.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated on this vacancy notice and must submit a completed application packet in order to be considered for this position. Complete application files must be received no later than the application deadline. Applicants who fail to submit all required information will be disqualified. Only applications received during the period of this announcement will be considered. Applicants must adhere to the College's prescribed interview schedule and must travel at their own expense. The College reserves the right to withdraw this job announcement at any time prior to awarding.