Grant Accounting Manager

Role Overview:

Are you seeking a role where you can contribute your accounting talents and expertise to a mission that improves the lives of young people?

The Manager of Grant Accounting and Payroll Operations oversees employee payroll processing alongside financial activity tied to externally funded programs. This position ensures payroll is executed accurately, labor costs are distributed correctly across funding streams, and all reporting and invoicing obligations tied to grants are met. The role works cross-functionally with Finance, People Operations, and program leadership to strengthen financial stewardship, regulatory adherence, and operational coordination.

NOTE: this is a contract-to-hire role. Consideration will be given to direct hire based on candidate experience.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

Grant Accounting, Invoicing, and Reporting

• Manage financial oversight for all active grants, including cost tracking, billing, and financial deliverables
• Produce and submit reimbursement requests and grant invoices in alignment with funding terms and deadlines
• Track staff cost distribution across multiple programs and funding sources
• Confirm payroll expenses align with approved grant budgets and funding agreements
• Compile and review financial statements and reports required by funders and internal leadership
• Maintain compliance with Uniform Guidance and sponsor-specific cost and documentation requirements
• Retain detailed support records for labor allocations, invoices, and financial submissions

Payroll Administration

• Direct end-to-end payroll execution on a biweekly basis in collaboration with internal partners and outsourced payroll vendors
• Validate pay-related data including earnings, benefit costs, withholdings, and grant-related labor coding
• Ensure payroll practices meet all applicable wage, tax, and reporting laws at the federal and state levels

Controls, Audits, and Risk Management

• Assist with annual financial audits and Single Audit preparation
• Monitor and reinforce internal controls related to compensation and grant-funded expenditures
• Maintain audit-ready documentation related to payroll and grant activity
• Contribute to the development and refinement of financial and compliance procedures

Cross-Functional Partnership and Process Improvement

• Coordinate closely with Human Resources on employee changes affecting pay, benefits, or funding status
• Collaborate with program teams to ensure grant-funded roles are coded and tracked correctly
• Provide guidance and training to staff on payroll and grant-finance processes
• Participate in system enhancements and continuous improvement initiatives

There are no people-management responsibilities with this role.

Required Background and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related discipline
• At least three to five years of Grant Accounting experience is required, including a background in managing federally-funded grants, compliant cost allocation, grant invoicing and financial reporting.
• Non-profit experience preferred.
• Previous payroll experience is strongly preferred, particularly utilizing ADP or Paylocity.