Senior Accountant I - Grants

North County Transit - San Diego Railroad; Oceanside (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

North County Transit - San Diego Railroad seeks a Grants Accountant to manage complex grant-funded project budgets and ensure accurate accounting across the district’s ledgers. You will prepare adjusting journal entries, maintain records, and produce financial reports for grantors, while coordinating with the Accounting Manager-Projects and Grants.

Strong knowledge of GAAP and ERP systems like JD Edwards is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in accounting or related field.
• Minimum four (4) years directly relevant experience in accounting.
• Strong knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Experience with ERP systems such as JD Edwards.

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 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) drawdown requests.
• Performs monthly reconciliations of grant accounts and resolves discrepancies.
• Reconciles subsidiary ledgers with the general ledger.
• Prepares and presents financial reports for grantors and tracks grant utilization.
• Assists audits and provides necessary documentation to auditors.
• Assists in grant applications, amendments, extensions, revisions, and progress updates.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Microsoft Office

GAAP knowledge

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in accounting

Tools

JD Edwards

ERP systems

Job description

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.

Examples of Duties

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.

Qualifications

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, and skills 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.

Supplemental Information

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met