Head of Grant Accounting and Budgeting chez undefined

Goodwill of Western & Northern Connecticut is seeking driven individuals to join us in our mission to help others and serve our local communities.

The Head of Grant Accounting and Budgeting provides strategic and operational leadership over all grant-related financial functions at Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut. This role ensures fiscal compliance, accurate reporting, and effective budgeting for all government-funded programs, including grants administered by the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services (DDS), Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), and the U.S. Department of Labor – Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS). The Head of Grant Accounting and Budgeting will oversee the full lifecycle of grant financial management from proposal development and budgeting to reporting, audit, and closeout ensuring transparency, accountability, and alignment with Goodwill’s mission of helping individuals reach their full potential through the power of work.

Essential Job Functions:

Grant Accounting & Financial Management

• Direct all accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting activities related to DDS, DMHAS, DOL-VETS, and other state, federal, and private grants.
• Oversee accurate revenue recognition, expenditure tracking, and grant billing in compliance with GAAP and funding requirements.
• Develop and manage grant budgets, ensuring funds are aligned with programmatic goals and fiscal regulations.
• Maintain a comprehensive grant calendar to ensure timely submissions, reporting, and renewals.
• Conduct monthly financial reviews with program leadership to monitor spending, identify variances, and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Ensure that restricted and unrestricted funds are accounted for appropriately and transparently.

Compliance & Audit

• Ensure full compliance with state grant requirements, and internal policies.
• Lead the preparation for all audits related to government-funded programs, including Single Audits, and serve as the primary liaison for auditors and funding agencies.
• Review and interpret grant agreements to ensure fiscal requirements are properly documented and adhered to.
• Establish and monitor internal controls that support compliance and reduce financial risk.

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Lead the organization’s annual budgeting process for all grant-funded programs in collaboration with the CFO and program leadership.
• Develop multi-year financial projections to guide resource planning and sustainability strategies.
• Provide financial models and scenario analyses to support strategic decision-making.
• Partner with the Development and Program teams during proposal development to ensure grant budgets are feasible, compliant, and strategically aligned.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with the CFO, Controller, and program directors to ensure seamless coordination between financial management and program execution.
• Serve as the organization’s primary financial contact for state and federal funding agencies.
• Communicate financial information and insights to leadership and external partners in a clear and actionable way.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Evaluate and enhance financial systems and reporting tools to improve efficiency and accuracy in grant tracking and analysis.
• Implement best practices for grant budgeting, monitoring, and reporting across the organization.
• Champion automation and integration initiatives between grant management systems and the general ledger.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or business with strong information systems background; MBA a plus.
• 7–10 years of progressive experience in accounting and budgeting, with at least 5 years in a nonprofit or government grant accounting leadership role.
• Proven experience managing state and federal grants, including DDS, DMHAS, and DOL-VETS (or comparable funding streams).
• Advanced knowledge in the use of financial software applications, databases, spreadsheets, and/or word processing required.
• Ability to prepare financial reports, statements, and documents and entries in accordance with established procedures and requirements.
• Knowledge of principles, practices, and methods of accounting and auditing. (GAAP).
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Proficient in use of computer, including accounting software, word processing, and spreadsheets (preferably Microsoft Office – Word, Excel) and Outlook e-mail.

Start your journey with Goodwill today by applying at gwct.org/about/work-here

Is this position not right for you? We can help you find the right one at Goodwill or any other employer through our Career Centers! Receive free career assistance services from Goodwill (including Resume Builds/Revisions, Online Job Searching Coaching, Interview Skills, and more) at gwct.org/career-coaching