Staff Accountant

Accountant

FINANCE DEPARTMENT – Johnston, RI

Full-Time

General Responsibility:

The Staff Accountant serves as a key member of the Finance Department, working under the direction of the Chief Financial Officer to provide comprehensive accounting and budgetary support for federally and state-funded programs. This role has primary responsibility for financial oversight, reporting, and compliance for major grant-funded programs including Head Start/Early Head Start, Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), and LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program).

The Staff Accountant ensures fiscal operations are conducted in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), federal and state funding requirements, and agency policies. Responsibilities include financial reporting, grant billing, reconciliation, budget monitoring, audit preparation, and grant closeout functions within a complex, multi-funded Community Action Agency environment.

Key Responsibilities:

The duties of this position include, but are not limited to:

1. Prepare and submit timely reimbursement requests and financial reports for Head Start, CSBG, LIHEAP, and other federally funded programs in compliance with funding agreements and regulatory requirements.
2. Monitor grant budgets to ensure expenditures are properly allocated, allowable, and within approved funding limits.
3. Ensure expenses are coded accurately to the appropriate grant/contract and cost category in accordance with federal cost principles.
4. Maintain detailed documentation to support grant expenditures and ensure audit readiness.
5. Perform grant closeout procedures, including final financial reporting and reconciliation.
6. Serve as the primary financial liaison to Program Directors for Head Start, CSBG, and LIHEAP regarding budget status, reporting requirements, and compliance matters.
7. Assist with preparation and monitoring of annual and multi-year grant budgets.
8. Reconcile general ledger accounts and multiple bank accounts monthly, ensuring grant balances are accurate.
9. Resolve aging accounts receivable related to grant reimbursements.
10. Support preparation for annual Single Audit and program-specific audits.
11. Maintain and update agency-wide grant/contract schedules and reporting deadlines.
12. Ensure compliance with federal Uniform Guidance, Head Start Performance Standards, and LIHEAP/CSBG fiscal regulations.
13. Identify and communicate unusual transactions, budget variances, or compliance concerns to the CFO.
14. Assist in preparation of monthly financial reports for executive leadership and Board of Directors.

Minimum Requirements / Knowledge / Skill:

1. Strong knowledge of GAAP, federal grant compliance, Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), and nonprofit accounting principles.
2. Minimum 3–5 years of nonprofit accounting experience with direct involvement in:
3. Head Start / Early Head Start grants
4. Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
5. LIHEAP or similar energy assistance programs
6. Experience with federal reimbursement-based funding models.
7. Proficiency in MIP or similar nonprofit accounting software.
8. Experience with grant reporting systems and electronic submission portals (e.g., eCivis or comparable platforms).
9. Strong analytical skills with demonstrated experience in grant budget management.
10. Ability to manage multiple funding streams and deadlines in a complex Community Action Agency environment.
11. Experience with accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial statement preparation, and bank reconciliations.
12. Detail-oriented with strong documentation and audit preparation skills.

Education:

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting strongly preferred, will consider degree in related accounting field.
2. Minimum of three to five years of experience in the field of accounting, as it pertains to non-profits such as Community Action Agencies, strongly preferred.

Physical Demands:

1. Prolonged periods of sitting.
2. Extensive eye contact with the computer screen.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Compensation aligned with education and experience.

Americans with Disabilities Act Statement:

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job specific functions (listed within each job specific responsibility) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the organization on a case-by-case basis.

COMPETITIVE BENEFIT PACKAGE: Competitive salary; Individual and family medical coverage; Pension (403b); Paid time off (vacation and sick time, holiday’s); Agency-sponsored EAP (Employee Assistance Program) services for employees and their families; Employer sponsored Professional Development opportunities (local, regional and national). Tri-County is a qualified entity for employees to access loan repayment opportunities.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Please visit our website at www.tricountyri.org to view our current openings. Click on the Job Opportunities link on the bottom of the page; click on “To view all available employment opportunities, click HERE”.

Tri-County Community Action Agency is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Tri-County is committed to treating all applicants and employees fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, limited English proficiency (LEP), gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.