Job Title: Senior Project Accountant
Location: Des Plaines, IL (Hybrid)
Salary Range: $100,000 - $115,000 + Bonus
Benefits: Health/Vision/Dental/PTO/401k
An established and mission-driven organization is seeking a Project Accountant / Financial Analyst to act as a strategic business partner to project and program managers. This role is responsible for full-cycle project accounting and financial oversight of assigned contracts and grants, ensuring compliance, financial discipline, and optimized funding outcomes. The ideal candidate will bring strong analytical and interpersonal skills, a detail-oriented mindset, and experience working with funders, program stakeholders, and accounting systems.
Key Responsibilities:
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Serve as a financial partner to assigned project managers, providing tools, reporting, training, and guidance to ensure sound financial stewardship.
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Deliver monthly budget-to-actual reports, burn rates, and fund balances; meet regularly with managers to review key metrics and address variances.
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Assist in the development and maintenance of project budgets for new and existing contracts and grant proposals.
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Set up new projects in the ERP system (e.g., CostPoint), ensuring accurate coding and configuration.
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Prepare and reconcile financial reports for assigned projects on schedule, including expenditure tracking and accruals.
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Submit timely and accurate billing, expenditure vouchers, and payment requests to funders, including all required backup documentation.
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Record submitted vouchers and invoices in the accounts receivable subledger, ensuring completeness and accuracy.
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Analyze monthly expenses and prepare reclassifications and accurate revenue accruals by specified deadlines.
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Reconcile revenue and receivables monthly; maintain organized, auditable project files including budgets, reports, and documentation.
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Monitor accounts receivable activity and maintain clean balances through timely processing of adjustments, refunds, and approved write-offs.
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Conduct periodic fiscal compliance audits and assist in funder, financial, and single audits by preparing assigned schedules and support.
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Track and report on project performance metrics to leadership and ensure alignment with funder requirements and internal standards.
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Maintain strong communication with funders and external stakeholders, resolving issues promptly and professionally.
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Contribute to continuous improvement in financial operations, compliance processes, and tracking systems.
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Collaborate across departments, including Legal, Grants, Program, and Finance teams, to support optimal performance and contract execution.
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Support additional tasks such as subrecipient monitoring, cost claims, and funder-specific reporting as assigned.
Required:
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Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.
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Strong knowledge of funder contract regulations and compliance requirements.
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3+ years of experience in project/grant accounting, financial reporting, or similar role.
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Proven ability to prepare financial reports, analyses, reconciliations, and projections.
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Expert-level Microsoft Excel skills; proficient in Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
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Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
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Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; experience partnering with non-financial stakeholders.
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Ability to meet strict deadlines and maintain accountability for deliverables.