Grant & Reporting Accountant in Lakewood, Colorado at The Action Center

AGENCY OVERVIEW:

The Action Center is a nonprofit organization in Lakewood, Colorado, with 57 years of experience assisting people facing hardship. Each year, the organization supports more than 40,000 individuals, with food assistance being the most requested service.

In 2027, The Action Center will move to a new community hub. This transformative facility will bring health, education, and supportive services together in one dynamic location, allowing us to expand our outreach and impact. Our new hub will empower individuals and families by providing comprehensive resources and support, reinforcing our mission to create lasting change in the community.

We are currently hiring a Grant & Reporting Accountant. This role will act as the primary liaison between the Finance department and those responsible for payroll administration, grant management, operational financial reporting, and budget oversight. This position works collaboratively across the Agency to ensure accurate financial information, grant compliance, and timely communication, all of which support informed decision-making.

Grant Management & Financial Partnership

• Serve as the Finance representative on the organization's grant management team by collaborating with the Director of Programs and Grants Officer to reconcile grant activity, provide financial reporting, and support grant compliance.
• Maintain grant budgets, funding source allocations, and grant-related financial documentation.
• Monitor grant expenditures and payroll allocations for financial accuracy.
• Investigate and resolve financial discrepancies related to grant activity, departmental budgets, payroll allocations, and funding sources, coordinating correcting entries with the General Ledger Accountant as needed.
• Participate in monthly grant meetings and communicate financial information, concerns, and recommendations.
• Payroll Administration
• Administer the organization's bi-weekly payroll process, including payroll review, allocations, retirement plan administration, and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate payroll-related activities with Human Resources and support payroll audits and reporting.
• Financial Reporting & Department Partnership
• Prepare recurring departmental financial reports, budget-to-actual analyses, dashboards, and supporting schedules for management and Finance Committee reporting.
• Serve as the primary Finance contact for department managers regarding budget questions, financial reporting, and funding sources.
• Assist department managers in understanding financial performance, budget variances, and organizational financial processes.

Professional Ownership & Initiative

• Demonstrate ownership by proactively identifying issues, recommending solutions, and taking appropriate action within the scope of the position while keeping leadership informed of significant matters.
• Anticipate department needs and contribute to team success by offering assistance, sharing knowledge, and following through on commitments.
• Exercise sound judgment in determining when decisions can be made independently and when leadership should be consulted.
• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented environment through open communication, accountability, continuous learning, and a commitment to improving financial processes.
• Participate in Finance Department cross-training, professional development, and continuous process improvement initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree preferred. Relevant accounting experience is also valued.
• Three or more years of progressively responsible accounting experience preferred, with demonstrated experience in payroll administration, financial reporting, budgeting, or grant accounting.
• Experience preparing financial reports and communicating financial information to non-financial audiences.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with nonprofit accounting, payroll processing, grant accounting, or cloud-based accounting software preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across departments.
• Ability to explain financial information clearly to non-financial audiences.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy.
• Demonstrated initiative, sound judgment, and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Commitment to providing outstanding internal customer service.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position primarily involves office duties. Must be able to lift 15 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work is performed primarily in a professional office environment. Regular business hours are expected, with occasional evening or weekend hours required to support payroll processing, month-end close, grant reporting deadlines, and other organizational priorities. This is not a remote position

The Action Center's policy is not to discriminate against any applicant or employee based on actual or perceived race, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy), marital status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, mental or physical disability, religion, creed, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or including transgender status), veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law. The Action Center also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories.