Postgraduate Accounting Fellow at Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board Inc – Rapid City, South Dakota

Postgraduate Accounting Fellow for Native Americans

Program Duration: 12 Months

Program Overview:

The Postgraduate Accounting Fellowship is a structured, one-year training program designed to provide emerging Native American accounting or finance professionals with hands-on experience in the financial operations of a mid-sized enterprise nonprofit healthcare and social services organization. Fellows will rotate through key functional areas of the Finance Department—including, among others, general accounting, grant reporting, budgeting, audit preparation, and fund accounting—while working alongside experienced finance professionals. The fellowship provides robust training in nonprofit and healthcare financial management, equipping participants for careers in mission-driven financial leadership.

Program Objectives:

• Provide in-depth exposure to healthcare and nonprofit accounting principles (including generally accepted government accounting principles, compliance, and fund accounting) and business information applications.

• Train fellows in grant and contract financial management, including Uniform Guidance reporting.

• Develop competencies in budget development, variance analysis, and financial reporting for healthcare departments and programs.

• Cultivate an understanding of nonprofit healthcare reimbursement, cost allocation, and audit processes.

• Foster leadership, analytical thinking, and collaboration across clinical and administrative teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist with monthly journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial close activities under supervision.

• Support preparation of financial reports for grants, programs, and departmental budgets, ensuring compliance with funder restrictions.

• Participate in the budgeting and forecasting processes, including data collection and modeling for program and organizational budgets.

• Prepare schedules and documentation for external audits, including the annual financial statement audit and Single Audit.

• Conduct ad hoc financial and operational analyses to support strategic decision-making by senior leadership.

• Participate in process improvement initiatives focused on internal controls, automation, and financial transparency.

• Attend regular training sessions on nonprofit healthcare finance, ERP system use, and applicable accounting standards.

• Present a capstone project to finance leadership at the conclusion of the fellowship.

Training and Mentorship:

• Fellows will be assigned a primary mentor (e.g., accounting analyst or manager).

• Structured learning modules will be delivered in areas such as:

o Business protocols and customs

o Written and verbal communications

o Leadership and followership

o Managerial accounting, analytics, and business economics

o GASB standards and nonprofit financial reporting

o Grants compliance and Uniform Guidance

o Healthcare service line costing and reimbursement

o ERP/reporting tools (NetSuite)

• Opportunities to shadow finance leadership during budgeting, board reporting, or process improvements.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or public administration.

• Registered member of an officially recognized Native American or Alaska Native tribe.

• Less than two years of experience following college graduation.

• Strong academic foundation in financial accounting, governmental/nonprofit accounting, data analysis, and information systems.

• Demonstrated interest in healthcare, tribal and nonprofit finance, or public service.

• Proficiency in Excel and familiarity with accounting software or reporting tools.

• Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive fellowship stipend/salary for the duration of the program.

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Paid time off for observed holidays and a limited number of personal days.

• Professional development and networking opportunities.

• Potential for full-time employment upon successful completion.

How to Apply:

Please submit the following:

• Resume

• Cover letter detailing your interest in nonprofit healthcare accounting and finance

• Unofficial transcript

• One academic or professional reference.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until June 1, 2026.

Finally, the 2026/2027 program is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2026, and continue through June 30, 2027. There is no guarantee of continued employment at the program’s conclusion.

The GPTLHB is a tribal organization which follows tribal preference laws. It is our policy to give preference to qualified Indian/Tribal candidates over qualified non-native candidates in hiring decisions, if all other qualifications are equal.

Employment is contingent upon the outcome of all required criminal background checks.

Compliance with our Employee Health Procedure is a condition of employment. You are required to agree that you will comply with all job-related employee health screening and immunizations prior to your first day of employment. Jobs require that you have documentation that you have completed the following immunizations prior to your first day of employment: MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella, Varicella (Chicken Pox), Hepatitis B, Influenza, T-dap (Tetanus - Diphtheria - Pertussis), and COVID-19 vaccination is required.