What are the responsibilities and job description for the Grants Cost Accountant position at Desert AIDS Project?
At DAP Health, we are committed to transforming lives and advancing health equity for all. As a leading nonprofit health care provider, we deliver compassionate, high-quality care to the diverse communities of the Coachella Valley and San Diego County. Our comprehensive services range from primary care to mental health, wellness programs, and beyond, with a focus on those who are most vulnerable. Joining our team means becoming part of a passionate, innovative organization dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve. If you're looking for a dynamic and purpose-driven environment, we invite you to explore the opportunity to contribute to our mission.
Job Summary
The Grants Cost Accountant position plays an essential role in tracking grant budget oversight and monitoring key budgetary performance metrics. The individual in this role utilizes information to conduct analysis and provide recommendations to management on factors that impact grant performance, including staffing and other expenditures. This position is responsible for assisting in the preparation of monthly grant/contract billings to federal, state, and private funders and ensuring compliance with GAAP, grant/contract standards, and internal guidelines. The role also assists with payroll and non-personnel allocations to grants. The Grants Cost Accountant will handle sensitive salary and other confidential information with the utmost care and will help with financial reporting and month-end close duties and responsibilities. They support the Grant Accounting Manager in the annual audit process, ensuring accuracy and effectiveness in all accounting procedures.
Supervisory Responsibilities
The Grants Cost Accountant position plays an essential role in tracking grant budget oversight and monitoring key budgetary performance metrics. The individual in this role utilizes information to conduct analysis and provide recommendations to management on factors that impact grant performance, including staffing and other expenditures. This position is responsible for assisting in the preparation of monthly grant/contract billings to federal, state, and private funders and ensuring compliance with GAAP, grant/contract standards, and internal guidelines. The role also assists with payroll and non-personnel allocations to grants. The Grants Cost Accountant will handle sensitive salary and other confidential information with the utmost care and will help with financial reporting and month-end close duties and responsibilities. They support the Grant Accounting Manager in the annual audit process, ensuring accuracy and effectiveness in all accounting procedures.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Manage Grants Accountants
- Review weekly timesheets for accuracy, review employee submissions and updates as needed; approve timesheets by required timeline
- Conduct one-on-one meetings (monthly at a minimum frequency, preferably bi-weekly), scheduled conversations, and annual performance reviews with direct reports by required timeline
- Attend mandatory Manager’s Learning Collaborative trainings
- Partner with People Operations to:
- Develop a learning plan for employee development goals to provide tools needed to excel in their position
- Implement and follow a process to address performance issues as they arise
- Prepare a comprehensive onboarding process for each specific position for all new hires
- Address serious issues that may require interventions or investigations
- Develop and monitor departmental and program/project operating budgets, costs and schedules
- Supervise, lead, coach, and use best management practices to improve staff performance
- Support and model the identified vision, values, and behaviors of the organization
Essential Duties/Responsibilities
- Review funds received, recorded, and posted for accuracy, and ensure compliance with procedures, rules, or regulations, and review specific grant activity
- Determine validity of, or liability for, invoices or charges and determine the proper accounting for such
- Post financial transactions to accounts, journals, or ledgers
- Set up and maintain new and existing grant allocations for personnel on multiple funding sources
- Review personnel grant allocations, ensuring that time allocated aligns with approved budget, process reclasses for over allocated time, and review timesheets to support reporting compliance
- Review grant coding on expenditures to ensure compliance
- Proactively work with program staff to provide grant support
- Prepare and submit timely financial reports, ensuring accuracy and completeness
- Prepare spenddown reports, monitor grant expenditures, and work with program staff on maximizing grant use
- Monitor budget modification timelines and assist in the preparation and submission of budget modifications to funders
- Perform grant close-out functions including related journal entries, reconciliations, invoices, and final cost reports
- Coordinate periodic audits and provide outside auditors with documentation and analysis in response to requests for financial information
- Lead month-end closings and fiscal year closings
- Gather documentation and information for external financial auditors and grant/funder auditors
- Operate standard office equipment, such as adding machine, computer, scanner or duplicating machine
- Access patient-protected health information as needed
- Serve as backup for other positions in the department as needed
- Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Required Skills/Abilities
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, financial modeling, formulas, etc.)
- Experience with accounting software (e.g., Sage Intacct)
- Extremely organized and detail oriented with the ability to prioritize and maintain multiple projects simultaneously, meet conflicting and tight deadlines
- Communicate effectively, persuasively, and professionally both verbally and in writing with stakeholders, internally and externally
- Ability to:
- Make mathematical computations quickly and accurately; operate standard office equipment which may include computers, calculators, adding machines, scanners and duplicating machines; read, understand and follow written and oral instructions; use computerized accounting systems.
- Prepare data in the proper format for data entry; understand and maintain financial accounting files or other record systems; recognize and correct computational errors; accurately compare, post and transfer numbers; understand transactions in terms of accounting codes and classifications; prepare routine and special financial reports
Education and Experience
- Associate’s degree in accounting/finance or a minimum of five years equivalent experience
- Minimum of 3-4 years of experience in cost accounting or financial management, with at least 1 year specifically managing or working with grant funds
- Experience working with government, foundation, or corporate grants in a nonprofit environment
- Experience in budgeting and forecasting in a grant-funded organization
- Familiarity with the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) and other regulatory compliance frameworks
Working Conditions/Physical Requirements
- This position is on-site at DAP Health Admin
- Ability to lift 24 pounds
- Operates in an office setting at times and requires frequent times of sitting, standing, repetitive motion, and talking