Accountant 2

The purpose of the class is to perform responsible accounting work and financial administration in support of grant programs managed by the Grants & Community Outreach Department and the Richland County Community Development Office. This role will primarily assist with accounting work from award setup to final closeout for grants from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), along with a variety of other external grants, predominantly serving low- and moderate-income households and communities in unincorporated Richland County. Working under the direct supervision of the Community Development Division Manager, this position works closely with grant programmatic staff to support a portfolio including $3M in annual HUD grants, $20M in one-time HUD grants, and $3-$5M in annual external grants overseen by the County. This position assists with federal, state, and local grants, works closely with nonprofits and agencies as subrecipients, and engages with multiple grants management databases and financial systems.

This is a regular, full-time position within the Grants & Community Outreach Department and is supported by the County’s operating budget. This position is not grant-funded or tied to the period of performance of any specific grant award. This role works within a general outline of work to be performed, and develops work methods and sequences under general supervision.
 

ESSENTIAL TASKS

The following essential tasks represent the primary responsibilities and activities for this position. Management may assign additional tasks related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

• Works with Director and leadership team to manage the Department Budget, assisting with accounts payable, Purchase Orders & requisitions, P-card and bank statement processes, budget setup, payroll projections, and the annual budget process.
• Works alongside and closely with Community Development staff to support the management of federal funds from HUD, including development of the Annual Action Plan and substantial amendments, programmatic budgets, selection of projects, and underwriting with the down payment assistance program, as needed.
• Performs responsible accounting work in the preparation, management, reconciliation, and tracking of grant program financial records and reports for assigned grants..
• Establish and maintain grant budgets, Workday worktags, awards, and projects.
• Monitor grant revenues and expenditures to ensure compliance with approved budgets, grant agreements, and funding requirements.
• Prepare reimbursement requests, financial status reports, drawdowns, and required reports accurately and within required deadlines.
• Must learn and work with tracking, reporting, drawdowns (voucher creation), and reimbursements through HUD’s Integrated Disbursement & Information System (IDIS) and Disaster Recovery Grant Reporting (DRGR) system which manage the HOME, CDBG and ESG grants.
• Ensures revenue received from external grant reimbursements is appropriately credited to accounts and budgets.
• Tracks program income, matching funds, and developers fees received across multiple grants and projects.
• Prepare journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial adjustments related to grant activity.
• Perform monthly and quarterly reconciliations of grant expenditures, revenues, cash receipts, and reimbursement activity.
• Analyze financial data to identify discrepancies, develop corrective actions, and resolve issues with Departmental leadership.
• Assists with ensuring compliance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), grant agreements, County policies, and applicable federal and state regulations.
• Prepare documentation supporting Single Audits, financial audits, grant monitoring reviews, and other compliance examinations.
• Provide technical assistance and financial guidance to local nonprofits and agencies regarding grant budgeting, allowable costs, reimbursement requests, and financial monitoring.
• Assist programmatic staff with reviewing grant expenditures for allowability, allocability, reasonableness, and proper documentation.
• Collaborate with Finance, Budget, Procurement, Payroll, and departmental staff to resolve financial issues affecting grant administration.
• Maintain complete financial records and documentation supporting all grant transactions.
• Recommend process improvements to strengthen internal controls, improve efficiency, and reduce financial risk.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Preferred knowledge of governmental accounting principles, GAAP, and grant accounting.
• Working knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), federal grant regulations, and financial compliance requirements.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and reconciliation skills.
• Ability to independently research, interpret, and apply grant regulations as it relates to the financial and fiscal accountability of the programs as assigned to the department.
• Proficiency with Workday Financials, Microsoft Excel, and financial reporting tools is preferred.
• Ability to prepare complex financial analyses and communicate findings clearly.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple grants and competing deadlines.
• Strong customer service and relationship management skills.
• Ability to exercise sound professional judgment with minimal supervision.
• Attends one-on-one, team/staff, public hearings, and County meetings as required.
• Attends training, meetings, seminars and/or workshops to enhance job knowledge and skills.
• Performs general administrative / clerical work as required, including but not limited to preparing reports and correspondence, entering and retrieving computer data, preparing spreadsheets, copying and filing documents, processing mail, answering the telephone, etc.

VOCATIONAL/EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE PREPARATION

VOCATIONAL/EDUCATIONAL PREPARATION:

Requires Bachelor’s degree or education and training equivalent to four years of college education in accounting, finance or a closely related field. Experience with federal grants, especially HUD grants, is ideal.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES:

Must possess a valid state driver’s license.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Requires a minimum of two years of experience in accounting and/or financial management in a professional setting. Demonstrated experience with local, state, or federal grants is preferred.

INVOLVEMENT WITH DATA, PEOPLE, AND THINGS

DATA INVOLVEMENT:

Requires gathering, organizing, analyzing, examining or evaluating data or information and may prescribe action based on such data or information. The job duties are moderately complex and structured. Errors would create considerable delay and inconvenience.

PEOPLE INVOLVEMENT:

Requires giving information, guidance or assistance to people to directly facilitate task accomplishment; may give directions or assignments to helpers or assistants.

INVOLVEMENT WITH THINGS:

Requires handling or using machines, tools or equipment requiring brief instruction or experience, such as computers for data entry, fax machines, copiers, telephones or similar equipment; may service office machines, including adding paper and changing toner.

COGNITIVE REQUIREMENTS

REASONING REQUIREMENTS:

Requires performing coordinating work involving guidelines and rules, with constant problem-solving.

MATHEMATICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Requires using mathematics involving the practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions; or measurements, logarithmic or geometric construction. May use algebraic solutions of equations and inequalities; descriptive statistics; deductive geometry, plane and solid, and rectangular coordinates; mathematical classifications or schemes.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS:

Requires reading journals, manuals and professional publications; speaking informally to groups of co-workers, staff in other organizational agencies, the general public, people in other organizations; presenting training; composing original reports, training and other written materials using proper language, punctuation, grammar and style.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

Requires doing professional-level work requiring the application of principles and practices in a wide range of administrative, technical or managerial methods in the solution of administrative or technical problems; or the coordination of entry-level managerial work; requires general understanding of operating policies and procedures and the ability to apply these to complex