Manager - Grant Accounting

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Hoffman Estates (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. in Illinois seeks a Grant Accounting Manager to oversee all financial aspects of grant administration, including budgeting, accounting, reporting, and compliance.

You will ensure compliance with federal regulations (Uniform Guidance 2 CFR Part 200) and Illinois requirements, manage the grant accounting team, and deliver timely, accurate reports to funders and leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance (CPA or Master’s preferred).
• 5–7 years of accounting experience with 3+ years in grant/nonprofit accounting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee grant budgets, align with agreements and funding restrictions.
• Manage day-to-day grant accounting, classifications, and ledger entries.
• Prepare timely financial reports for funders and leadership.
• Ensure compliance with Uniform Guidance and Illinois grant requirements.
• Establish internal controls and improve grant accounting processes.
• Supervise the Grant Accountant(s) and mentor staff.

Skills

Grant accounting

Budgeting

Financial reporting

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Excel

Accounting systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA or CMA preferred

Tools

Accounting software

General ledger systems

Job description

QUALIFICATIONS

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 3years 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

JOB DESCRIPTION

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.

RESPONSIBILITIES

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.