Grant Accounting Specialist

Grants Accounting SpecialistThe Grants Accounting Specialist is responsible for the timely and accurate preparation of monthly financial reporting for Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency's grant portfolio, with particular emphasis on Head Start and related early-childhood programs. The position performs monthly grant reconciliations, analyzes budget-to-actual results, validates transaction coding and period assignment, forecasts grant expenditures, and identifies financial or compliance risks. The Specialist works closely with Finance, Accounts Payable, Payroll, and program leadership to resolve discrepancies, support funder reporting, maintain audit-ready documentation, and promote the effective use of grant resources. The ideal candidate will use their skills to embody our values and contribute to our vision of a thriving, self-sufficient community.Essential Job Functions:Grant Reporting & Accounting: Manage monthly financial reporting and close activities for assigned grants, ensuring reports are accurate, timely, and compliant with funder requirements.Budget Monitoring & Forecasting: Monitor grant expenditures, revenues, and available funding against approved budgets, funding restrictions, and applicable grant requirements.Compliance & Audit Readiness: Ensure grant expenditures are allowable, reasonable, properly allocated, adequately documented, and incurred within the applicable grant period.Collaboration & Process Improvement: Partner with program staff and Finance to align grant spending, staffing, activities, and financial projections with program and organizational goals.Qualifications and Requirements:Required Education, Skills and Experience: High school diploma or equivalent; additional education or training in office administration is a plus. Previous experience in a receptionist or customer service role preferred. Experience working in a social services environment and familiarity with energy assistance programs is a plus. Bilingual skills (e.g., English/Spanish) preferred but not required. Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications (Word, Excel, Outlook). Experience working with diverse populations, including low to moderate-income families.Required Job Competencies: Passion for service to the community, compassion for others – empathy, respect, caring, kindness, collaboration and teamwork, commitment to continuous improvement, accuracy and attention to detail, ownership and follow-through, analytical skills, risk awareness and escalation, communication skills, interpersonal and customer service skills, professional judgment and integrity, process improvement mindset.Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:Work Location - 1740 Langdon Farm Road, Cincinnati, Ohio. Work Hours – 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Onsite work is in a typical office environment. This position is not eligible for remote work at this time. May occasionally be required to work in different locations or evenings and weekends to support delivery of program services.Physical Requirements: Ability to use hands to manipulate, handle feel, and control items or equipment. Talk and hear. See and be able to read, write, and interpret written documents. Lift and move objects weighing up to 15 pounds.