Posted on January 25, 2013

print

Business Analyst, Grants and Contracts

The Grants & Contracts Business Analyst collaborates with regional teams to create, implement and sustain a transparent and compliant programmatic, fiscal and audit infrastructure in federal, state and private grant funding. The Business Analyst works in conjunction with the Managing Director, Grants & Contracts to develop budgets, establish awards, and monitor sponsored program requirements while providing assurances that expenditures are properly tracked, documented and recorded in the general ledger. This includes establishing, developing and maintaining relationships between internal departments (Regional Development and Operations, Human Assets, Planning & Analysis and General Accounting) as well as external federal, state and private funding entities. The Business Analyst also works directly with Planning & Analysis and Regional Operations to develop and oversee grant-related budgeting, while proactively establishing coding structures and cost tracking methodologi es to ensure that direct, allocated, and matched costs are necessary, reasonable, and consistently treated per contract provisions, GAAP, OMB Circulars, agency regulations and SOX best practices applicable to the non-profit sector. The Business Analyst is a point of contact for all fiscal and audit inquiries and works closely with the regions and the Managing Director, Grants & Contracts and Controller to help ensure compliance.

Team Overview:

The Finance and Administration team ensures that Teach For America has the financial and administrative capabilities to support our rapid organizational growth and enables us to meet our short- and long-term goals. The team oversees all financial matters, including accounting operations, budget planning and analysis, grants and contracts administration, and payroll processes. The team also manages all facilities, real estate strategy, and purchasing initiatives for the organization.

• Establishing and Maintaining Program Relationships
  
• Partner with the designated regional lead to understand all requirements associated with the current sponsored program portfolio and develop ongoing strategy to identify and maximize new funding opportunities.
  
• Develop budgets for proposals based on program needs and expectations, sponsor requirements, and existing/pending funding constraints. Work with the program managers to determine and maximize all allowable costs while simultaneously eliminating budget overlap.
  
• Define and resolve any issues related to pre-award activities in accordance with federal, state, funding agency/sponsor, and institutional policies and regulations. Provide guidance to programs on pre-award issues, including but not limited to applicable regulations, interpretation of solicitations and funding announcements, proposal preparation, budget development, contract terms, pre-award account requests and cost share requirements.
  
• Upon award receipt, establish regular, joint communication channels with designated program contact to ensure compliance and shared understanding of guidelines and responsibilities.
  
• Work with the designated program contact and other TFA units to ensure timely, financial reporting, billing and cash management
  

Establishing and Maintaining Sponsor Relationships:

• Work to establish and maintain excellent sponsor relationships
  
• Develop regular communications - e.g., financial updates and/or hold regular calls with agency programmatic and fiscal contacts to monitor progress of awards
  
• Ensure fiscal reporting is communicated in a timely manner.
  

Fiscal compliance and cash management:

• Develop effective budgets and budget amendments, where necessary.
  
• Monitor awards using a strong understanding of OMB Circulars, CFR, funding agency regulations and internal financial management controls and systems. This will include managing a staff accountant and working with the Compliance Support Team to ensure identified costs are consistent with sponsor and TFA guidelines and reported on a monthly basis.
  
• Develop periodic schedules for internal use in organizational revenue and cash flow projections
  
• Manage fiscal reporting deadlines. Review and prepare release of external funding reports for Managing Director approval and release to funding agencies
  
• Assist in enhancing compliance to maintain a transparent audit trail with clean reconciliation to the general ledger
  

Programmatic Compliance:

• Work with the Managing Director as necessary to establish and maintain general compliance tools, training, and procedures
  
• As appropriate, provide tools, training and education to program managers and other TFA employees funded by grants and/or contracts.
  
• Assist in other identified ways to help maintain compliance of sponsored programs with OMB Circulars, agency and sponsor requirements
  
• Assist the Managing Director, as necessary, in assimilating relevant documentation for audits, working with program directors as necessary to compile requested programmatic information
  

Candidate Profile and Experience Prerequisites:

• Ability to work well with a variety of individuals across various management levels within and outside of TFA to maintain stewardship of externally-funded programs
  
• Ability to design, create, and implement analytical systems, policies, and procedures
  
• Impeccable oral and written communications skills, including follow-up
  
• Ability to think critically, problem solve and support stakeholders in an entrepreneurial environment.
  
• Successful management of $25m budgets/portfolios across various public/private sources/restrictions
  
• Highly proficient in Excel and a strong understanding of large data sets and database structure/management, accounting software, and web-based technology solutions. Experience with * Financial Edge, Kronos Workforce Timekeeping and Workday HRM/Financials a plus.
  
• Positive attitude, desire to be a part of a diverse team, and commitment to Teach for America's mission
  
• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration or related field; MA degree or CPA a plus.
  
• Min. 7 years in research/grants administration, financial analysis, consulting, or similar transferable field
  
• Proven experience in a rapidly growing environment
  

Travel:

Salary and Benefits:

Application Instructions

To apply for this position, please go to:
http://bit.ly/W3jAe1