Senior Accountant I - Grants

NCTD; Oceanside (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

NCTD is seeking a Grants Accountant to manage complex grant budgets, prepare journal entries, and maintain comprehensive financial records. The role emphasizes accuracy, accountability, and collaboration with the Accounting Manager-Projects and Grants.

Ideal candidates will have a BA in accounting and at least four years of related experience, with strong GAAP knowledge and ERP experience such as JD Edwards. This position may involve field travel to district sites and grant-related facilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field required.
• Minimum four (4) years directly relevant accounting experience required.

Responsibilities

• Maintains detailed grant-funded project budgets and balances revenues to expenses.
• Prepares adjusting/recurring journal entries as needed.
• Maintains comprehensive financial records including invoices, receipts and other documents.
• Prepares invoices to grant agencies with backup documentation.
• Prepares FTA drawdown requests.
• Performs monthly grant account reconciliations and identifies discrepancies.
• Reconciles subsidiary ledgers with the general ledger.
• Prepares and presents financial reports for grantors and tracks grant fund utilization.
• Assists with audits related to grant-funded projects and provides documentation to auditors.
• Assists in grant applications, amendments, extensions, revisions, and progress updates.

Skills

GAAP proficiency

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field

4 years directly relevant accounting experience

Tools

JD Edwards

Microsoft Office

Job description

Under general direction from the Accounting Manager-Projects and Grants, the Grants Accountant prepares complex general ledger entries and account reconciliations. S/he works with the Accounting Manager-Projects and Grants to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the District’s general ledger.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This position requires a high-level knowledge and application of accounting principles, project accounting, understanding of the interrelationships among accounting functions, and the ability to exercise more independent judgment in performing accounting functions.

Supervision Received and Exercised

This position reports to the Accounting Manager-Projects and Grants and does not exercise any supervisory authority. This position is expected to participate in the sharing of expert knowledge and as a vital member of various project teams that may be instituted.

Working Conditions

Normal working conditions for this position are in both an office and field setting. Business travel may be required periodically between District sites, governmental agencies, consultants’ facilities, and other locations as required.

Essential Functions

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Maintains detailed grant-funded project budgets and balances projects revenues to expenses.
• Prepares adjusting/recurring journal entries as needed.
• Maintains comprehensive financial records including invoices, receipts and other relevant documents.
• Prepares invoices to grant agencies with the applicable backup documentation.
• Prepares Federal Transit Administration (FTA) drawdown requests.
• Performs monthly reconciliations of grant accounts; ensures accuracy and identifies discrepancies that need to be addressed.
• Reconciles subsidiary ledgers with the general ledger.
• Prepares and presents financial reports for grantors; details and tracks grants fund utilization; ensures compliance with reporting requirements.
• Assists with audits related to grant-funded projects and provides needed financial documentation and explanations to auditors.
• Assists in the preparation of grant applications, amendments requests, extensions, revisions, and progress updates.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in accounting or related field.
• Minimum four (4) years directly relevant experience in accounting.

A combination of experience/skills and education to fulfill the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this position may be considered.

Certificates/Licenses

• Maintain compliance with the District’s policy regarding Conflict of Interest and Ethics.

General Requirements

• Strong knowledge of and the ability to apply generally accepted accounting and auditing principles.
• Ability to read and understand technical material, government regulations, legal documents, and/or complex work instructions.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, multi-task, and organize workflow so as to deliver high-quality products within established deadlines.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills to deal effectively with individuals at all levels of responsibility and authority.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to analyze routine and non-routine financial situations, solve problems, and present alternatives, andskills in preparing and analyzing complex financial reports.
• Demonstrated above‑average proficiency in computer software programs, particularly the Microsoft Office Suite. Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems such as JD Edwards.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must possess the ability to use the phone and computer for extended periods, manual dexterity to complete clerical functions and work with office equipment, and lift equipment up to 25 pounds on a daily basis. The employee must be able to hear, see, and communicate verbally to exchange information. The employee must be able to physically travel between District locations and other destinations, work in evenings when required, work in hazardous conditions, and negotiate a variety of different and irregular terrain as is typical along a railway right of way. The employee may be subject to fumes, odors, dusts, gases, chemicals. The employee must be able to walk, climb, balance, bend, carry, push, reach, sit, and stand.

Machines / Tools / Equipment

• Ability to operate a personal computer and Microsoft Office Suite programs.

Ability to operate standard office equipment, including a fax and scanner machine, copy machine, and telephone.