Gift and Grant Accountant

About the position

The Gift and Grant Accountant, reporting to the Assistant Controller, is responsible for the financial stewardship, accounting, reporting, and compliance oversight of restricted gifts, grants, endowments, and other donor-supported funds. This role partners closely with Development, Finance, cost center budget managers, and program leaders to ensure transactions are recorded accurately, donor and sponsor restrictions are honored, financial reports are timely and reliable, and internal controls are maintained.

This position plays a critical role in supporting audit readiness, fund transparency, and sound financial decision-making across a complex, mission-driven organization.

Main Duties

• Manage the accounting and financial administration of restricted gifts, grants, endowments, and other donor- or sponsor-funded accounts, including fund setup, maintenance, and closeout.
• Establish and maintain appropriate general ledger accounts, fund codes, project codes, and supporting schedules to ensure accurate tracking of restricted activity.
• Record journal entries, reconcile cash and investment activity, and prepare monthly reconciliations for restricted funds, pledges, endowments, grants receivable, deferred revenue, and related balance sheet accounts.
• Support sponsored and restricted fund lifecycle activities, including budget revisions, release of restrictions, transfers, cost-share tracking, billing or draw requests when applicable, and financial closeout.
• Compliance, Controls, and Audit Support
• Review gift agreements, grant awards, and supporting documentation to interpret financial terms, restrictions, reporting requirements, allowable uses, and compliance obligations.
• Maintain strong internal controls, documentation standards, and records retention practices for gift and grant transactions.
• Reporting and Financial Close
• Prepare periodic financial reports for internal stakeholders, sponsors, donors, and leadership, including budget-to-actual analyses in conjunction with Finance, spending summaries, and fund balance reports.
• Aid with month-end and year-end close activities related to restricted funds, endowments, and grants, including account analysis, roll forwards, audit schedules, and financial statement support.
• Collaboration and Process Improvement
• Partner with Development, program leaders, cost center administrators, and Finance staff to resolve discrepancies, support stewardship reporting, and improve restricted fund processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, reporting, training, and systems related to gift and grant accounting and contribute to implementation of best practices.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in accounting.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of progressive accounting experience, preferably in higher education, nonprofit, foundation, sponsored programs, or fund accounting environments.
• Experience with restricted fund, grant, endowment, or gift accounting, including reconciliations, reporting, and compliance support.
• Strong knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and internal control practices.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze financial data, interpret agreements, and manage multiple deadlines with a high degree of accuracy.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience working with ERP or financial systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with donor databases, development systems, grant management systems, Workday, or fund accounting platforms.
• Experience preparing audit schedules, donor stewardship reports, or endowment spending analyses.

Key Skills / Competencies

• Strong understanding of restricted fund accounting, financial reporting, reconciliations, and audit support.
• Ability to interpret gift agreements, grant terms, and endowment documentation and translate requirements into sound accounting treatment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills with careful attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to both financial and non-financial stakeholders.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
• Demonstrated commitment to customer service, collaboration, and continuous process improvement.

Physical and Environmental Demands

• Stand: Yes
• Walk: Yes
• Sit: Yes
• Use hands/fingers: Yes
• Climb or balance: Rarely
• Stoop/kneel/crouch/crawl: No
• Reach with hands/arms: Occasionally
• Talk or hear: Yes
• Lifting up to 10 lbs.: Rarely
• Lifting up to 25 lbs.: Rarely
• Lifting up to 50 lbs. (with assistance): Rarely
• Lifting up to 100 lbs. (with assistance): No
• Wet/humid conditions: No
• Work near moving mechanical parts: No
• Fumes/airborne particles: No
• Extreme cold: No
• Extreme heat: No
• Work Schedule: Regular business hours Monday-Friday

Compensation Disclaimer

The compensation listed below for this position represents the anticipated hiring range and is provided in accordance with Virginia pay transparency requirements. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as the selected candidate’s skills, qualifications, experience, education, certifications, internal equity, and the specific requirements of the role. Range: $59,600 - $89,400