Senior Grants Accountant

Fairbanks North Star, Borough of (AK); Fairbanks (AK); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairbanks North Star Borough is seeking a Senior Grants Accountant to manage the general ledger and financial reporting for grants, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. This role oversees grant-related audits and coordinates with multiple departments and agencies.

The ideal candidate will have a CPA or accounting degree with grants experience, strong analytical skills, and proficiency with MS Office and government accounting systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting plus two years’ grants administration experience, or CPA with two years’ public accounting experience, incl. at least one year in a senior role.
• Knowledge of GAAP/GAAS relating to grants and regulatory requirements; understanding internal controls.
• Recent analytical experience using a sophisticated financial management system and ability to interpret data relationships.

Responsibilities

• Account for all Borough grant transactions from initial application through close-out and audit, advising project managers on grant fund expenditures.
• Account for all grants and sub-grants awarded to others in accordance with Borough Code and government practices.
• Maintain grants database and project funding filings for grants or financial assistance.
• Set up cost centers for local projects and recurring grants; draft budget posting instructions for the general ledger.
• Supervise grants staff; plan training to improve competence and efficiency.
• Monitor legislation and changes related to grants; stay current on compliance, reporting, and auditing at all levels.
• Coordinate grants-related financial information with the Controller, CFO, Mayor, Borough Attorney, and other departments.
• Assist project managers with drafting federal/state pass-through agreements with partners.
• Direct and coordinate audits related to grants and prepare supporting audit work papers.

Skills

Analytical ability

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting

CPA

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

Windows

Access

Job description

The Senior Grants Accountant is responsible for the general ledger based financial reporting and record-keeping of the grants activities of the Borough (excluding procurement and payroll) in accordance with federal, state, and local legal, statutory, regulatory, and contractual mandates. When potential compliance issues are identified, communicates and works toward resolution with responsible departments and granting agencies. Directs and coordinates all Borough activities related to all audits of financial assistance to the Borough, including both the state and federal annual single audits.

SALARY: Level II

REPORTS TO: Controller

POSITIONS SUPERVISED:

• Grants Staff Accountant I
• Accounting Technician V
• Grants Accounting Technician III

RESPONSIBILITIES

• 1.Account for all Borough grant transactions, from review of the initial grant application and award through final close-out and audit. As necessary, assist and advise project managers as to the appropriate expenditure of grant funds. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and with legal and regulatory requirements, account for grant assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenditures, including monetary and in-kind matches. Oversee the preparation of grant financial reports to grantor agencies and certify their accuracy.
• 2.Account for all grants and sub-grants the Borough awards to other entities in accordance with Borough Code and in a manner similar to the way the Borough accounts for its own grants from the state and federal governments.
• 3.Maintain the grants database. Maintain a filing system for projects of the Borough funded by grants or other forms of financial assistance, along with any related matches.
• 4.Set up cost centers for local projects and recurring grants appropriated in annual budget ordinances and prepare budget posting instructions for the general ledger section. As needed, assist project managers with drafting ordinances to appropriate grant funds for projects.
• 5.Supervise the grants staff. Conduct and recommend training for grants staff to ensure competence, improve efficiency, and promote staff development.
• 6.Monitor legislation, regulations, developments, and changes related to grants and other financial assistance. Keep abreast of all issues -- compliance, reporting, accounting, auditing -- at federal, state, and local levels.
• 7.Coordinate grants-related financial information and activity of the Borough and keep the Controller, Chief Financial Officer, Mayor, Borough Attorney, and other departments advised of pertinent grants-related issues.
• 8.Assist project managers with drafting federal and/or state grant pass-through agreements with the FNSB School District and local non-profit organizations.
• 9. Direct and coordinate financial aspects and other financial assistance audits. Prepare grant related annual audit work papers and the federal and state single audit documents.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 1.Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting plus two (2) years’ experience in grants administration; OR CPA with two (2) years’ public accounting experience, with at least one (1) year at a senior level; OR Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting plus three (3) years as a professional accountant in a state or local government. One (1) year of each experience requirement must be within the last five (5) years and must include one (1) year of management/supervision and/or oversight responsibility of the work product of other employees.
• 2. Knowledge of GAAP and GAAS relating to grants, other financial assistance, and capital assets is required. Must have an understanding of internal controls. Knowledge of, and experience with, governmental accounting and budgeting is preferred.
• 3.Must have recent, verifiable analytical experience and demonstrated ability to perform complex analyses using a sophisticated, integrated financial management system with knowledge and judgment of inter-relationships of data and other information.
• 4.Demonstrated proficiency with recent versions of MS Word & Excel required. Experience with recent versions of Adobe Acrobat Pro or DC, Microsoft Windows, and the remainder of the Microsoft suite (Outlook, and Access) preferred. .
• 5.Must have verifiable experience using a sophisticated, integrated financial management system.
• 6.Must be accurate and proficient at keyboarding and be able to use a 10-key calculator accurately by touch.
• 7.PREFERRED: Ability to have and maintain a valid driver’s license and to meet insurance standards and maintain insurability under the Borough’s insurance program. If personal automobile is used for Borough business, proof of insurance at statutory limits must be provided. (A CURRENT COPY OF DRIVING RECORD WILL BE REQUIRED UPON REQUEST)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• 1. Must have knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations governing grants and other financial assistance and the ability to understand and interpret new ones.
• 2. Ability to use independent judgment in applying guidelines to varied situations and to comprehend and execute verbal and written instructions.
• 3.Ability to perform accurate and timely work in an organized and efficient manner with minimal direction, sometimes under stressful situations and short deadlines. Ability to take instructions from several people.
• 4.Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Borough staff and deal effectively with the public and outside entities.
• 5.Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly in a courteous, professional manner, both verbally and in writing.

OTHER

• 1. This position requires a criminal and credit history background check.

JOB RESPONSIBILITY

See basic functions and typical duties.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

General office where conditions are pleasant, good and clean. Conditions where accidents/hazards are negligible; requires short periods of light lifting, pushing or pulling (26-50 lbs.).