Senior Grants Accountant

POSITION SUMMARY:

The American Council on Education (ACE) is the major coordinating body for the nation's colleges and universities. ACE is a membership organization that mobilizes the higher education community to shape effective public policy and foster innovative, high-quality practices. With a diverse base of member institutions, ACE represents nearly 1,700 college and university presidents and executives, serving as the only major higher education association to represent all types of U.S.-accredited, degree-granting institutions. ACE's mission includes serving 280 minority-serving institutions, 25,000 higher education professionals, and 7.7 million students enrolled in colleges and universities. ACE membership extends to all 50 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, and 21 other countries.

Reporting to the Controller, the Senior Grants Accountant is responsible for maintaining the subledger and general ledger, reconciling account balances, and conducting month-end close procedures, and other accounting functions in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) with regards to ACE’s grants and contracts. The Senior Accountant is also responsible for maintaining accounting best practices and implementing initiatives and efficiencies to ensure results are attained and quality standards are met. This position supports nonprofit and grant accounting activities, with a strong focus on managing unrestricted and restricted funding in accordance with GAAP, internal controls, and federal guidelines such as 2 CFR 200. The ideal candidate is analytical, detail-oriented, proactive, and collaborative, with the ability to partner cross-functionally and drive continual process improvement.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES OR TASKS:

Accounting Operations, Analysis, and Financial Reporting:

• Prepares, examines, and analyzes accounting records, journal entries, financial statements, or other financial reports to assess accuracy, completeness, and conformance to GAAP reporting and ACE procedural standards with particular regards to ACE’s grants and contracts.
• Conducts monthly and quarterly account reconciliations to ensure accurate reporting and ledger maintenance.
• Analyze financial statements for discrepancies and other issues that should be brought to the attention of the Controller and CFO.
• Analyzes and summarizes account information and trends.
• Computes ACE’s indirect costs rates, benefits and occupancy rates.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to support financial initiatives and provide guidance.
• Prepares and submits contracts, invoices, and expense reports for F&B and other ACE offices as needed.
• Administers ACE corporate credit cards and performs credit card reconciliations.
• Prepares and submits check and ACH payments, ensuring processing and payment are accurate and conducted timely and in conformance with ACE policy and procedures.
• Serves as backup to various accounting functions.
• Supports various F&B projects and other duties as assigned.

Program and Fund Accounting and Compliance Support:

● Tracks programmatic and grant budgets in collaboration with program teams and development.

• Reviews transactions for appropriate grant and fund coding, ensuring compliance with restrictions, award terms, and 2 CFR 200 requirements.
• Collaborates with program managers and grant administrators to reconcile foundation and federal grant activity, ensuring accuracy of expenditures and compliance with award conditions.
• Monitors grant expenditures and assist in the preparation of accurate and timely grant-related journal entries.
• Assist in the preparation of grant invoicing, drawdowns, and reporting documentation.
• Partners with ACE’s Advancement team to track and reconcile unrestricted funding, including board-designated and donor-advised contributions.
• Prepares and distributes internal financial reports related to grant revenue and expense activity to support donor reporting and financial forecasting.
• Assists departments by reviewing grant documents (proposals, financial reports) and identifying any financial inaccuracies.

Audit and Compliance:

• In coordination with the Controller, assist with audit and tax return preparation.
• Researches tax issues as required.
• Assists Controller with conducting internal audit reviews and internal control assessments.
• Develops and documents business processes and accounting policies to maintain and strengthen internal controls.

Other:

• Contributes to department-wide projects and assist with cross-training of finance staff.
• Participates in the evaluation and improvement of financial systems and procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or associated field.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in accounting, preferably in a nonprofit or grant-funded environment.
• Deep understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) with federal grant compliance requirements (e.g., 2 CFR 200).
• Demonstrated experience with general ledger maintenance, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and work effectively across departments.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with accounting software (Sage Intacct strongly preferred).
• Advanced experience with Excel, including Macros, Pivot Tables, and VLOOKUP experience.

Preferred:

• CPA, or other relevant certification.
• Experience with accounting and reporting software, in particular, Sage Intacct, Solver, and SAP Concur.
• Experience with calculating Federal Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreements (NICRA).

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:

This is an onsite position, with four days per week in the office and one telework day available in coordination with the team.

Targeted salary: 80,404 - $100,505