Accounting Clerk - Grants Accounting (Immediate Opening)

Description

Grant Accounting Clerk

Finance Department

Position overview:

IDEA Public Schools is seeking a Grant Accounting Clerk to join our growing Business Office team. As a Grant Accounting Clerk, you will be responsible for proper financial reporting and compliance with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for a non-profit organization as well as State and Federal guidelines related to federally funded grants. The Grant Accounting Clerk will report to the Director of Federal Funds/Grant Accountant.

As a member of the National team, you will support all regions across four states to achieve annual operating income goals while remaining good stewards of public funds and donations. You will be the subject matter expert on federal, state, and local financial laws, policies, and procedures and be adept at translating them to stakeholders across the organization.

This is a full-time, immediate opening based in Texas. While this is a remote role, preference will be given to candidates who live in Austin, El Paso, Greater Houston, Permian Basin, Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, or Tarrant County, or who are willing to relocate.

Compensation & Benefits:

Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between $19.19/hour and $23.98/hour, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity. This role is also eligible for a performance bonus based on individual and organizational performance and goal attainment.

Additionally, we offer medical, dental, vision, and supplemental benefits as well as retirement plans and a generous vacation package. You can find more information about our benefits at https://ideapublicschools.org/careers/benefits/.

In this role you will:

• Serve as a consultant to IDEA grant directors/manager/accountant for guidance relating to federal grant regulations and requirements
• Audit employees to verify highly qualified requirements are met 100%.
• Keep Accounting HUB site up to date with changes related to federal grant regulations and requirements.
• Review payroll transactions and verify employees paid from federal grants are on the approved grant roster.
• Reconcile accounts related to state, federal and philanthropic funds.
• Assist with drawdowns for state and federal grants by the 12th business day of every month on the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and G5 Payment Module websites.
• Review related Statement of Activity accounts to determine reasonableness of amounts, detect potential errors and analyze significant variances.
• Work collaboratively with other departments to receive information/documentation necessary for state, federal and philanthropic funds by the time requested.
• Work with external parties to resolve issues that may arise during preparation of reconciliations.
• Review state, federal and philanthropic fund accounts for accuracy.
• Work collectively with grant directors/managers/accountant along with the payroll, budget, purchasing and accounts payable departments to assure all transactions posted to federal grants are allowable.
• Review transactions posted to federal funds on a regular basis and reclassify any transactions that are deemed unallowable. (journal entries, payroll adjustments)
• Keep current on new and upcoming standards.
• Audit employees paid with special education funds to verify 100% of these are SPED certified.
• Actively participate with the accounting team to create an environment of trust, respect and encouragement.
• Drive strategies to complete the month end close process for state, federal and philanthropic funds, by the dates outlined in the Month End Close Processing Checklist with a 10% reduction of time spent by the end of the next school year.
• Drive strategies to attest expenses recorded in federal grants are allowable and mitigate the risk of potential findings during the interim audit.
• Distribute semi-annual certifications and follow-up with grant directors/managers for completion by the end of the academic year.

Required education/experience:

• Education: (Required) Associate’s degree in accounting or finance-related field. Experience accepted in lieu of degree.
• Education: (Preferred) Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance-related field
• Experience: 1-3 years of accounting or bookkeeping experience preferred

Required technology:

• Computer proficiency and technical aptitude with the ability to use Microsoft products, including PowerPoint and Excel, experience with Tyler Munis and other finance databases.
• Strong excel knowledge and skills.

Preferred skills/experience:

• Ability to plan and conduct financial and management audits
• Non-profit accounting and auditing principles established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) for Not-for-Profit Organizations
• Ability to use personal computer to produce required reports
• Ability to interpret data
• Knowledge of TEA Financial Accountability System Resource Guide (FASRG)
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principals
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of federal grant audits
• Ability to implement policy and procedures

Goals:

As part of the Finance team, you will contribute to reaching the following ambitious goals:

• 100% completion of drawdowns for state and federal grants by the 12th business day of every month on the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and G5 Payment Module websites.
• Achieve no material weaknesses in internal controls related to Board approved policies from external audits.
• Implement 100% of corrective action plan milestones in 2022-23 related to finance and grants including internal, annual and external audits conducted through the course of 2022-23 and prior.
• 95% of all Grant budgets (22/23) spent with no more than a 10% variation between approved budget categories per grant and 100% of required reports are submitted on time and accepted by the grantor
• 100% completion of month end close process for state, federal and philanthropic funds, by the dates outlined in the Month End Close Processing Checklist with a 10% reduction of time spent by the end of the next school year

Physical Requirements: (Optional)

• Must be able to lift and carry or otherwise move 15 pounds (occasionally)
• Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to sit for extended periods of time without being able to leave the work area.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At IDEA we recognize that racism, bias, and privilege exist in society. We are committed to an organizational culture that promotes awareness and inclusivity for our students and staff and supports their path to positively impact our broader society. We are committed to recognizing the impact of racism and privilege, and commit as an organization to have equitable practices, policies, and structures. Visit https://ideapublicschools.org/dei/ to learn about IDEA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Anti-Racist and Anti-Bias commitment.

Learn more about IDEA

• IDEA’s Core Values

• Https://ideapublicschools.org/blog/introducing-our-revised-core-values/
• Https://ideapublicschools.org/careers/leadership/
• Https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/history/
• Https://ideapublicschools.org/our-approach/
• Https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/impact-magazine/