Manager of Grant Financial Operations

Express Employment Professionals - Cincinnati East; Fairmont (WV); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Express Employment Professionals - Cincinnati East in Fairmont, WV seeks a Manager of Grant Financial Operations to oversee the financial administration of federal, state, local, and private grants, contracts, and sponsored programs. The role focuses on grant accounting, reporting, budgeting, reconciliations, and compliance.

The ideal candidate has 2–4 years in accounting/finance, strong Excel skills, and experience handling confidential data across Finance and HR.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years in accounting, finance, budgeting, grant accounting, or related area.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel with formulas, PivotTables, and data analysis.
• Strong analytical and reconciliation skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage the creation, maintenance, reconciliation, and closure of restricted and grant-funded accounts.
• Track grant expenditures and ensure expenses are recorded and allocated.
• Process and review payroll allocations for grant-funded positions.
• Update grant budgets and perform budget-to-actual reconciliations.
• Prepare and post journal entries and accounting adjustments.
• Identify and correct improper cost transfers, posting errors, and discrepancies.
• Complete month-end accounting for restricted and sponsored funds.
• Prepare financial reports, schedules, and supporting documentation.
• Monitor grant cash flow, invoices, draw requests, reimbursements, and reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with Finance and HR to reconcile grant-funded positions.
• Improve grant billing and reimbursement processes with internal partners.
• Assist with year-end close and annual audits.
• Prepare audit schedules and supporting documentation.
• Serve as primary financial contact for Research & Development audits.
• Support reporting for restricted funds and federally funded programs.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, GASB, Uniform Guidance and grant requirements.
• Develop and document grant accounting policies and procedures.
• Identify opportunities to automate manual processes and improve ERP functionality.
• Participate in special accounting and process improvement projects.

Skills

2–4 years of experience in accounting/

Microsoft Excel proficiency

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Now Hiring: Manager of Grant Financial Operations – Fairmont, WV

Location: Fairmont, WV
Job Type: Full-Time
Industry: Higher Education / Grant Accounting / Finance
Experience: 2–4 Years

Express Employment Professionals is partnering with a local higher education institution to recruit a Manager of Grant Financial Operations in Fairmont, WV. This full-time position will oversee the financial administration, accounting, reporting, and compliance of federal, state, local, and private grants, contracts, sponsored programs, and restricted funds.

This is an excellent opportunity for an accounting or finance professional who enjoys working with grant accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, reconciliations, compliance, audits, and sponsored program finances.

The ideal candidate will be highly organized, analytical, and detail-oriented with experience managing complex financial data and collaborating across Finance, Human Resources, and other departments.

Manager of Grant Financial Operations Responsibilities

• Manage the creation, maintenance, reconciliation, and closure of restricted and grant‑funded accounts.
• Track grant expenditures and ensure expenses are properly recorded and allocated.
• Process and review payroll allocations for grant-funded positions.
• Update grant budgets and perform budget-to-actual reconciliations.
• Prepare and post journal entries and accounting adjustments.
• Identify and correct improper cost transfers, posting errors, and financial discrepancies.
• Complete month‑end accounting processes for restricted and sponsored funds.
• Prepare financial reports, schedules, and supporting documentation.
• Monitor grant cash flow, invoices, draw requests, reimbursements, and financial reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with Finance and Human Resources to establish and reconcile grant‑funded positions.
• Work with internal departments and external partners to improve grant billing and reimbursement processes.
• Assist with year‑end close and annual financial audits.
• Prepare audit schedules, calculations, accruals, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
• Serve as a primary financial contact for Research & Development audits.
• Assist with reporting requirements for restricted funds and federally funded programs.
• Help ensure compliance with applicable GAAP, GASB, Uniform Guidance, and grant requirements.
• Develop, update, and document grant accounting policies and financial procedures.
• Collaborate with departments to promote accurate and timely grant financial reporting.
• Identify opportunities to automate manual accounting processes and improve ERP system functionality.
• Participate in special accounting, finance, and process improvement projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 2–4 years of experience in accounting, finance, budgeting, grant accounting, or a related area.
• Strong financial analysis and reconciliation skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, data sorting, and PivotTables.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet financial reporting deadlines.
• Ability to handle confidential financial information with integrity and professionalism.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with federal, state, local, or private grant administration.
• Experience with grant accounting, restricted funds, sponsored programs, or research administration.
• Understanding of GAAP, GASB, and Uniform Guidance requirements.
• Experience with budget‑to‑actual reporting and financial reconciliations.
• Experience preparing financial reports for grant‑funded programs.
• Experience supporting annual financial, grant, or compliance audits.
• Experience with grant billing, reimbursements, or financial draw requests.
• Experience working with ERP or financial accounting systems.
• Experience identifying opportunities for financial process improvement or automation.
• Higher education, government, nonprofit, or other complex accounting experience is a plus.

Why Consider This Grant Accounting Opportunity?

This position offers the opportunity to take ownership of the financial side of grant‑funded and sponsored programs while developing specialized expertise in:

• Grant accounting and financial administration
• Restricted funds
• Sponsored programs
• Federal and state grants
• Budget‑to‑actual reporting
• Grant billing and reimbursements
• Audit and compliance support
• GAAP, GASB, and Uniform Guidance
• Financial reporting and reconciliations
• ERP systems and process improvement

This is an excellent next step for an experienced Grant Accountant, Senior Grant Accountant, Sponsored Programs Accountant, Grants Financial Analyst, Senior Accountant, or finance professional interested in advancing into a grant financial management role.