Grant Accounting Manager
Mission:
IDEA Public Schools is seeking a Grant Accounting Manager to join our growing Business Office team. In this role, you will ensure accurate financial reporting and strict compliance with U.S. GAAP for non-profit organizations, as well as all state and federal requirements tied to federally funded grants. The Grant Accounting Manager will report to the Managing Director of Grant Finance and play a critical role in safeguarding the integrity of our grant financials.
As a member of the National team, you will support IDEA Public Schools in meeting annual operating income goals while upholding IDEA’s commitment to strong stewardship of public funds and private donations. You will serve as a subject matter expert on federal, state, and local financial laws, policies, and procedures—translating complex regulations into clear, actionable guidance for leaders across the organization.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
None
Location:
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.
Travel Expectations:
Up to 10% during the busiest times of year for conferences, trainings and team step backs.
What You’ll Do – Accountabilities
Essential Duties:
- Lead month-end close strategies for local, state and federal funds, ensuring all activities are completed accurately and on schedule in alignment with the Month-End Close Processing Checklist.
- Review and reconcile grant-related accounts, ensuring accuracy, reasonableness of expenditures, timely reclassifications, and strong internal controls across Statement of Activity accounts.
- Serve as the primary consultant to grant directors and managers, providing expert guidance on federal, state, and local grant regulations, allowability of expenses, wage approvals, and compliant purchasing.
- Ensure timely and compliant grant drawdowns, completing state and federal reimbursement requests by the 12th business day each month on TEA and G5 systems.
- Monitor and interpret evolving regulatory requirements, maintaining up-to-date grant fiscal management standards and updating the Accounting HUB with relevant changes.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with payroll, budget, purchasing, accounts payable, and program teams to ensure all grant transactions are allowable and supported by proper documentation.
- Support audit readiness and compliance, assisting with grant-related audits, mitigating risk through ongoing monitoring, and ensuring expenses charged to federal grants meet all regulatory requirements.
Additional Duties and Responsibilities:
- Attend grant meetings to inform leaders of regulatory changes, spending strategies, wage approvals, and purchasing requirements.
- Work collaboratively across departments to gather documentation needed for grant reconciliations and month-end processes.
- Partner with external entities to troubleshoot and resolve issues during reconciliation or financial review processes.
- Review payroll transactions to confirm that all employees paid from federal grants align to approved rosters.
- Prepare journal entries, payroll adjustments, and reclassifications for unallowable or miscoded transactions.
- Prepare forecasts of grant-related revenues and expenses to support interdepartmental planning, treasury cash flow projections, and annual budget development.
- Develop and maintain grant performance reports, KPI dashboards, and analytics tools to support portfolio monitoring.
- Promote a collaborative, supportive culture within the accounting team rooted in trust, respect, and shared accountability.
- Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge and Skills – Competencies
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Make Strategic Decisions:
This team member uses data, feedback, and insights to inform thoughtful decision-making, while considering the impact on their direct reports and team. They communicate decisions with clear rationale and begin to connect their choices to broader team objectives.
This team member sets clear, measurable goals and regularly reflects on progress, adjusting actions as needed. They prioritize work aligned with their goals using a task management system and consistently meet deadlines through effective time management.
This team member demonstrates self-awareness by actively seeking and thoughtfully responding to feedback with curiosity and a growth mindset. They identify development areas, implement feedback when appropriate, and pursue opportunities to build their knowledge and skills.
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Build a Culture of Trust:
Level 2This team member proactively builds strong personal and professional relationships with individual stakeholders and regularly seeks feedback to improve their work experience. They create a supportive environment where others feel safe to take risks and learn from mistakes without fear of retribution.
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Communicate Deliberately:
This team member communicates thoughtfully by anticipating potential misunderstandings and providing necessary context to ensure clarity. They leverage structured communication channels to address challenges, ask meaningful questions, and guide conversations toward solutions, while actively listening to the concerns of others.
Additional Skills:
- Strong analytical, organizational, communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to plan and conduct financial and management audits
- Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
- Knowledge of federal grant audits
- Ability to implement policy and procedures
- Ability to analyze and interpret financial statements and data
- Ability to use personal computer to produce required reports
Required Education and Experience:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, management, finance, or business
- Experience: 3-5 years grant accounting experience; preferably non-profit or educational setting; well-rounded knowledge of single audits and EDGAR requirements
- Experience with budgeting or forecasting grant-related cash flows
Preferred Education and Experience:
- Education: Master’s degree in accounting, management, finance or business
- Licenses or Certifications: CPA preferred
Physical Requirements:
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Ability to lift up to 15 pounds occasionally.
What We Offer:
Compensation & Benefits:
Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between $81,800 and $95,800, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity. This role is also eligible for performance pay based on organizational performance and goal attainment.
Additionally, we offer medical, dental, and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. You can find more information about our benefits at https://ideapublicschools.org/careers/benefits/.
* IDEA may offer a relocation stipend to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.
Application process:
Submit your application online through Jobvite. Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Learn more about IDEA
At IDEA the Staff Culture and Belonging Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members. Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here: https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/#core-values
