Accounting Manager

This role provides strategic oversight and operational leadership for the college's grant-centric accounting function, ensuring regulatory compliance, accurate financial reporting, and stewardship of externally funded resources. The position is accountable for audit readiness, financial integrity, and the performance of grant accounting operations. It leads and supports the Grant Accounting Analyst while partnering with internal and external stakeholders to ensure compliant and effective management of grant-funded programs.

Key Institutional Contributions

• Grant financial records and reporting are accurate, complete, and compliant with GAAP, Uniform Grant Guidance, institutional policies, and grantor requirements.

• Grant budgets, expenditures, and financial reports are governed and managed to ensure full compliance with grantor terms and conditions, supporting continued funding and audit readiness.

• Internal controls, reconciliations, and financial oversight processes are established, enforced, and maintained to ensure compliance with grantor requirements and external audit standards, reducing financial and regulatory risk.

• Grant accounting operations are effectively led, coordinated, and executed to ensure timely reporting, accurate budget management, and consistent performance across all grant-funded programs.

• Cross-functional collaboration with internal departments, grant managers, auditors, and external grantors ensures accurate financial decision-making and compliant administration of grant-funded activities.

Administrative & Operational Execution (45%)

• Oversee and participate in grant accounting operations to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with GAAP, Uniform Grant Guidance, institutional policies, and grantor requirements.

• Oversee and review the recording of grant activity, including journal entries, reconciliations, and financial reporting transactions.

• Ensure grant financial reports, submissions, and supporting documentation are accurate, complete, and submitted in accordance with grantor and institutional requirements.

• Monitor grant expenditures, receipts, and financial records to ensure proper classification and compliance with funding requirements.

• Maintain and ensure integrity of financial records and documentation required for grant reporting, audits, and regulatory compliance.

Client/Customer Service & Communication (20%)

• Serve as primary financial contact for grant-related matters with internal stakeholders, grant project managers, auditors, and external funding agencies

• Communicate financial status, reporting requirements, and compliance updates to grantors, state agencies, and community partners

• Participate in funding source meetings, audit discussions, and grant-related stakeholder engagements

• Provide financial guidance to project managers regarding budgets, allowable costs, and reporting requirements

• Collaborate with internal departments and external partners to ensure alignment of financial processes and grant requirements

Critical Thinking & Decision-Making (20%)

• Interpret GAAP, Uniform Grant Guidance, grantor requirements, and institutional policies to ensure compliant grant financial operations

• Exercise independent judgment in resolving accounting discrepancies, compliance issues, and grant-related financial concerns

• Analyze grant financial data, expenditures, and budget performance to identify risks, variances, and corrective actions

• Evaluate financial reporting accuracy and determine appropriate adjustments or corrections

• Assess grant financial performance and recommend improvements to strengthen compliance, efficiency, and fiscal stewardship

• Lead and coordinate preparation of the Single Audit process, including development of financial schedules, reconciliation of supporting documentation, and response to audit inquiries in accordance with regulatory and institutional requirements.

Project & Workflow Management (10%)

• Coordinate financial workflows across the grant lifecycle, including budgeting, implementation, reporting, and close-out activities.

• Support development, review, and approval of grant budgets, timelines, and financial reporting schedules in collaboration with project managers.

• Coordinate audit preparation activities, including required documentation and financial schedules.

• Participate in recurring grant management meetings to align financial operations with program timelines and requirements.

Additional Responsibilities (10%)

• Provide financial insight to support grant development, budgeting, and funding sustainability.

• Contribute to continuous improvement of grant accounting processes, internal controls, and financial reporting practices.

• Participate in institutional initiatives, training, and professional development activities.

• Perform other duties as assigned in support of departmental and institutional operations.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related fieldorequivalent combination of education and progressively responsible accounting or financial management experience

• Minimum of four (4) years of accounting, financial management, or grant accounting

• Demonstrated experience applying Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and financial compliance standards, including Uniform Grant Guidance or similar regulatory frameworks

• Experience leading, coordinating, or overseeing accounting functions such as general ledger activity, reconciliations, financial reporting, or grant accounting operations

• Experience working with financial systems, accounting software, or enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, including data entry, reporting, and financial analysis tools

• Demonstrated ability to interpret financial data, identify discrepancies, and resolve accounting or compliance issues using independent judgment

• Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams, auditors, grantors, and external stakeholders

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and financial reporting cycles in a structured environment

Other knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Proficient working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel

• Working knowledge of integrated database

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills essential

• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills

• Communicate effectively with internal and external sponsors, students, staff and vendors

• Ability to prioritize time and meeting established deadlines with minimum supervision.

DIVISION/LOCATION: Business Office/ Grants Development & Operations/ Kenosha Campus
COMP GRADE: 29
FLSA DESIGNATION: Exempt
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available.
• Engage in district-wide travel to support students and foster collaboration with Gateway faculty and staff.
• Employment is contingent upon an acceptable background
• Flexibility is needed to accommodate day, evening and weekend student & business needs

Gateway will not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student, or applicant for admission based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, creed, religion, political affiliation, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, disability, age, membership in any reserve component of the armed forces, union affiliation, arrest and conviction record, or any other protected category under applicable local, state or federal law.