The grant accountant oversees the financial administration of federal, state, local, and private grants. This role ensures that all expenditures strictly align with grant agreements, prepares required financial reports, and coordinates fund draws or invoicing. Serve as the link between Foundation and Corporate Relations (FCR), programmatic staff, financial services, and funding age. Apply Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to maintain and analyze financial records and reports. Prepare comprehensive financial statements and reports, supporting informed decision-making and strategic planning.

Key Responsibilities

General Ledger and Budgeting

Perform grant accounting functions, to include setting up compliant budgets in Oracle, managing the opening and closing of grant funds, reviewing and approving expenses, preparing journal entries, and invoicing grantors.
Maintain supporting documentation for journal entries and account reconciliations in accordance with internal controls and audit requirements.
Ensure compliance with College policy, grant awards/agreements, and Uniform Guidance for government funding.
Other duties as assigned.

Financial Analysis

Analyze budget to actual expenses for grant funds. Explain budget variances.
Ensure match requirements are funded.
Prepare general ledger balance account reconciliations as assigned.

External Reporting

Coordinate with FCR and Principal Investigators (PI) as they write grant narratives and reports to ensure clear and accurate budgets that reflect needs of the grant and are compliant
Prepare timely grant financial reports in the format required by the grantor.
Assist with preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards.
In coordination with PIs, complete effort reporting obligations

Month End Close/Year End Close

Communicate with PIs on deadlines for entries for month end/year end.
Manage the timely preparation and posting of journal entries during month-end and year-end close, collaborating with internal stakeholders to ensure the completeness and accuracy of financial records.
Conduct the official closeout process when grant periods expire, ensuring all funds are settled.

Audit and Compliance

Develop and maintain schedules to support financial reporting and annual audit requirements.
Assist in compiling, organizing, and providing audit support for external audit requests.
Prepare annual HERD survey
Assist PI’s and review time and effort reporting, in coordination FCR.
Ensure federal grants comply with Federal agency guidelines and institutional policies and procedures.  
Stay up to date on all college, state, and federal guidelines as they apply to existing and proposed grants. 
Attend training and conferences, such as Federal Research Conference and other relative training, as required.

Relationships Building and Communications

Coordinate pre- and post-award activities with the Foundation and Corporate Relations office and PIs.
Develop working relationships with PIs. 
Coordinate with FCR on training for PIs and departments.
Serve as a liaison to the ALIC@Bessemer Executive Director for the multiple grants for the branch campus.  

Compensation and Benefits

Starting salary will be competitive, based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

This is a full-time exempt position.

Allegheny College offers a competitive total rewards package that includes medical, dental and vision coverage; HSA and flexible spending options; retirement contributions with up to a 6.5% employer match and immediate vesting; employer-paid life and disability coverage; generous paid time off, holidays and volunteer time; tuition benefits for eligible employees and families; and a variety of additional campus and voluntary benefits