Senior Grants Accountant

National Center On Institutions And; Milford Mill (MD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

National Center on Institutions and Alternatives Inc. is seeking a Senior Grants Accountant to centralize and oversee day-to-day grants accounting functions, including grant setup, cost tracking, invoicing, compliance monitoring, and audit readiness.

The role serves as the finance liaison to program leadership and external funders, combining hands-on accounting with analysis and process improvements to strengthen NCIA’s grants management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 3–5 years nonprofit grants accounting experience.
• Must pass criminal background check, fingerprinting, and drug screening.
• Valid Maryland Driver’s License with <3 points.

Responsibilities

• Lead accounting activities related to grants across federal, state, and private funding sources.
• Ensure accurate grant and project setup in the accounting system, including budgets and funding sources.
• Monitor grant spending against budgets and allocation methodologies.
• Review grant transactions for accuracy, allowability, and proper coding.
• Prepare and review grant reimbursement requests, invoices, and financial reports.
• Maintain audit-ready grant documentation and support SEFA preparation.

Skills

Grant accounting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

Sage Intacct

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: National Center on Institutions and Alternatives Inc - Baltimore, MD 21244

Position Type: Full Time

Education Level: Bachelor's Degree

Salary Range: $59,572.00 - $77,608.00 Salary

Job Shift: Day

Job Category: Accounting

Position Title: Senior Grants Accountant

Position Reports To: Controller

FLSA Status: Exempt

Work Location: On-site / Hybrid / Remote - NCIA worksite location, as assigned

Position Summary

The Senior Grants Accountant is responsible for centralizing and overseeing day-to-day grants accounting functions supporting NCIA. This role provides comprehensive financial oversight of restricted funding, including grant setup, cost tracking, billing, compliance monitoring, reporting, and audit readiness. Serving as the primary financial liaison between Finance, Program Leadership, and external funders, this position strengthens NCIA’s grants management infrastructure by combining hands-on accounting responsibilities with higher-level analysis, coordination, and process improvement.

Essential Responsibilities and Core Competencies

• Lead accounting activities related to grants across federal, state, and private funding sources.
• Ensure accurate grant and project setup in the accounting system, including budgets, periods of performance, funding sources, and allowable cost structures.
• Monitor grant spending against approved budgets and allocation methodologies, including enrollment-based or activity-based allocations.
• Review and analyze grant transactions for accuracy, allowability, and proper coding.
• Perform reconciliations of grant expenditures to general ledger activity and supporting documentation.
• Prepare and review grant reimbursement requests, invoices, and financial reports.
• Ensure timely submission of billing packages and compliance with funder deadlines.
• Assist in preparing financial reports required by funders and leadership.
• Ensure adherence to Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), funder requirements, and NCIA internal controls.
• Maintain complete, organized, and audit-ready grant documentation in SharePoint or designated repositories.
• Support Single Audit and SEFA preparation by compiling schedules and responding to documentation requests.
• Serve as the primary finance partner to program leadership on grant budgets, spending trends, and funding requirements.
• Collaborate with program staff to obtain supporting documentation and ensure expenses align with grant allowability.
• Assist with financial communication to funders as needed.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of grants management SOPs.
• Identify and recommend process improvements to strengthen internal controls, tracking, and reporting.
• Support optimization of Sage Intacct project structures and SharePoint documentation workflows.
• Maintain accurate records, reports, and documentation as required.
• Communicate professionally and effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned that are consistent with the scope and purpose of the position.

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to remain stationary for extended periods; move throughout the work area; operate standard office equipment and technology; communicate effectively; and occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull up to 10 lbs. These requirements are necessary to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, in accordance with applicable law.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Experience: 3-5 years of nonprofit grants accounting experience; federal and/or state funding experience preferred.
• Background Requirements: Must be able to successfully complete a criminal background check, fingerprinting, and drug screening.
• Valid Maryland Driver’s License with less than 3 points.

Work Schedule

Standard business hours, with flexibility as needed to meet billing, reporting, audit, funder, or organizational deadlines.

Acknowledgement

I understand that this job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. This job description is not all-inclusive, and management reserves the right to assign or reassign schedules, duties, and responsibilities at any time, consistent with the needs of the organization.

NCIA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. NCIA provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities during the application process and throughout employment, in accordance with applicable law. Individuals who need accommodation should contact Human Resources.