Accountant I

A well-established public sector organization is seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Accountant I to support its financial operations. The ideal candidate will be responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, performing reconciliations, and supporting compliance with accounting policies and procedures. This role requires a strong understanding of accounting principles, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks in a deadline-driven environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Review and approve financial documents, verify calculations, and prepare correcting entries as needed
• Examine financial documentation to ensure proper authorization and compliance with contracts, grant requirements, organizational policies, and applicable regulations
• Reconcile revenue and expenditure records to maintain financial accuracy and data integrity
• Perform technical accounting functions, including general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, capital assets, and grant or special fund accounting
• Manage and monitor grant-related financial activity, including tracking expenditures, revenues, allowable costs, and available funding
• Ensure grant expenditures and financial transactions comply with applicable grant agreements, funding requirements, organizational policies, and regulations
• Maintain accurate grant records and supporting documentation for reporting and audit purposes
• Assist with preparation and submission of required grant financial reports and supporting schedules
• Monitor grant balances, deadlines, and reporting requirements and communicate potential issues or discrepancies to management
• Reconcile grant accounts and funding activity to the general ledger and resolve discrepancies as needed
• Support grant audits and monitoring activities by preparing schedules, documentation, and financial records requested by auditors or funding agencies
• Investigate discrepancies, recommend solutions, and correct errors in financial transactions
• Reconcile complex transactions and fund accounts to the general ledger and resolve issues as required
• Monitor the accuracy and completeness of accounting documentation and prepare and process journal entries
• Analyze financial and administrative data for reporting purposes and maintain records in multiple formats and systems
• Prepare and distribute recurring and ad hoc financial reports, schedules, billing information, and grant-related reports
• Maintain and update the chart of accounts and assist with the development of new account structures and review of inactive funds
• Provide technical accounting support to internal staff and respond to financial and grant-related information requests
• Assist with annual financial audits, grant audits, and other compliance reviews as needed
• Maintain confidentiality of financial, organizational, and grant-related information
• Perform other duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field required
• Minimum of one (1) year of professional-level accounting experience required
• Previous experience with grant accounting, grant administration, or grant financial management required
• Experience tracking grant expenditures, allowable costs, funding balances, and grant-related financial activity
• Experience preparing grant financial reports and maintaining supporting documentation
• Knowledge of grant compliance requirements, funding agreements, reporting deadlines, and audit requirements
• Knowledge of public sector or fund accounting preferred
• Strong understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Experience with general ledger accounting, reconciliations, journal entries, and financial reporting
• Experience working with financial systems and accounting software
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment
• Applicants may be subject to a background check.*
• A pre-employment drug screening excluding THC is required as a condition of employment.

A conviction does not automatically disqualify you from employment. We will consider factors such as your age at the time, the timing and nature of the offense, its seriousness, and any rehabilitation efforts when determining your suitability for the role.

Sparrow Company Executive Search and Staffing is an Equal Opportunity Employer.