Grant Accountant II OPS 2026-02

Posting Description

• Program: Operations
• Type: Full-time
• Experience Level: Some Experience
• Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field with minimum 5 years of accounting/financial work experience, preferably in a non-profit environment
• Position Type: Permanent
• Salary: $85,000 - $89,000. See details below
• Workplace: Hybrid
• Apply to: https://www.sfei.org/about/employment-opportunities

SFEI is looking for a Grant Accountant to join our Grants and Contract team within the Operations department. We are looking for a detail-oriented Grant Accountant to oversee the financial management, compliance reporting, and reconciliation of various grants, including federal, state, and foundation funding. This role requires strong attention to accuracy and adherence to regulations, ensuring that all grant-related financial activities align with organizational policies and funding requirements.

SFEI has $50M in government funded grants and contracts. We partner with federal, state, and local government agencies to provide essential data and knowledge to improve water quality and protect human and ecological health. We also have a growing development program that includes grants with philanthropic entities and non-governmental funders.

The Grant Accountant will be responsible for processing accounting and financial transactions related to contract and grant management and maintaining contract and grant records in compliance with institutional and funder policies. The scope of responsibilities for this position will focus mainly on post-award financial management of a variety of funding sources.

Primary position responsibilities will include:

• Setup, monitor, and close out projects in compliance with requirements
• Track project expenses and prepare financial reports for funders
• Reconcile grant accounts with the general ledger
• Ensure compliance with federal (e.g., Uniform Guidance), state, or private regulations and support the general and single audit
• Complex reporting and financial research
• Analyzing data for reporting using pivot tables, vlookup, xlookup and other functions
• Implementing general ledger reconciliation and verification process
• Reconnaissance and problem solving on project budget and accounting issues
• Reviewing weekly cash receipts in accounting system, as needed
• Issuing and filing annual 1099 forms for subcontractors
• Under supervision, preparing federal 425 forms
• Under supervision, preparing the federal Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate (NICRA) rate and reconciliation
• Work with program staff to manage funder requirements and financial reporting
• Proactively applying effective interpersonal skills and available technology to facilitate and expedite the integration, communication, and coordination of all information and activities related to administration of contracts and grants
• May assist with upgrade of existing accounting software
• Other organizational financial and general accounting responsibilities, as needed

We will consider a fully remote work schedule, though hybrid (2-3 days in the office) is preferred.

If you are excited about this role, but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this, or one of our other roles.

Qualifications

Required Skills

• Ability to independently gather required information to organize and perform accounting and financial analysis assignments
• Ability to perform complex financial analysis and customized reporting
• General understanding of grant administration guidelines for Federal and non-Federal funders
• Demonstrated competence in the use of accounting software including data retrieval and data analysis
• Proficiency in Google Sheets (VLOOKUP, pivot tables)
• Ability to manage a significant volume of transactions
• Strong interpersonal, analytical, organizational, and verbal and written communication skills; service orientation; attention to detail
• Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal, and reporting principles
• Demonstrated knowledge of effective grant funding processes, procedures, and techniques

Preferred Skills

• Some foundation grant reporting experience may be helpful

Required Experience

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field
• Minimum 5 years of accounting/financial work experience, preferably in a non-profit environment