Project Accounting Lead (Hybrid/Remote) at GTI Energy in Chicago, Illinois

Job Description:

GTI Energy is a leading technology development organization. Our trusted team works to scale impactful solutions that shape energy transitions by leveraging gases, liquids, infrastructure, and efficiency. We embrace systems thinking, innovation, and collaboration to develop, scale, and deploy the technologies needed for low-carbon, low-cost energy systems. Fostering a positive and respectful work culture that promotes growth, collaboration, and opportunity, our 18-acre headquarters is home to state-of-the-art labs and facilities where scientists, engineers, program managers, trainers, and other professionals take a multidisciplinary approach to problem solving. We are proud of what we do because our work matters. GTI Energy is focused on solving global energy challenges in transitioning to a low-carbon economy. We have a proven track record in producing creative and important intellectual property and commercializing solutions to deliver safe, clean, and reliable energy. At GTI Energy, we deliver innovative solutions that transform lives, economies, and the environment. At GTI Energy, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Accessibility (DEI&A) is not only an important business priority, but it is also deeply rooted in our culture and values and something we celebrate every day. GTI Energy is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We offer generous benefits, competitive salaries, enticing incentives, career advancement, and the opportunity to work in a professional R&D environment committed to purposeful work. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

General Summary

We are seeking a Project Accounting Lead with experience in Department of Energy (DOE) regulations including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR 31), and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS). Along with the supervising of a Senior Billing & Accounts Payable Specialist, this position includes reviewing and approving billing, accounts payable, reconciliations, and project reporting in accordance with contractual requirements. Key focus areas of this position include managing relationships with customers, subrecipients, and program managers; preparing and reconciling financial reports and analyses; preparing journal entries; reconciling accounts; and subrecipient monitoring compliance.

Why GTI Energy?

GTI Energy embraces the power of innovation and collaboration to solve consequential energy challenges.  By demonstrating continuous improvements in technology and solutions that lower the emissions and costs of energy, we will shape energy systems that decarbonize economies, protect our environment, and benefit the people they serve. We do this by putting people at the center of everything we do. We support and uplift people, ensuring they have the resources and confidence needed to live as their authentic selves and reach their full potential.

Being part of the GTI Energy team means being surrounded by people that are passionate and purpose driven, empowered to continuously learn, ask hard questions, and leverage their knowledge and experience to drive toward a greater purpose.

We offer generous benefits, competitive salaries, opportunities for professional growth and career advancement. We prioritize and maintain an inclusive, diverse, and respectful culture, and we ensure reasonable accommodation is made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their role.

Work Location

The position has the flexibility to be either fully remote or hybrid at the GTI Energy Headquarters in Des Plaines, IL. The hybrid option offers a hybrid/core work week, where employees are remote Mondays and Fridays, and required to be on-site Tuesday through Thursday.

Supervisory Responsibilities:  will manage the Sr. Billing & Accounts Payable Specialist.

Primary Responsibilities

Accounting and Financial Reporting

• Oversee and maintain the effective use and management of QuickBooks to ensure accurate financial records and compliant accounting operations.


• Approve journal entries and bank reconciliations.


• Manage accounts payable and accounts receivable processes, ensuring timely invoicing and payments.


• Approve monthly invoices submitted by subrecipients, in accordance with defined administrative policies.


• Design, implement, and oversee efficient tracking systems to monitor accounts payable and accounts receivable.


• Function as a business partner to program managers, providing monthly reporting of key metrics, assisting with budget modifications, and ensuring funds are managed on an ongoing basis.  


• Prepare and submit monthly and quarterly financial reports to stakeholders ensuring accuracy and compliance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR 31), and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS).


• Maintain copies of project budgets, reports, vouchers, reconciliations, etc. in an accessible, organized, well-documented, and auditable fashion.


• Perform monthly, quarterly, and annual reconciliations of accounts, ensuring data accuracy and resolving discrepancies.


• Communicate with customers, subrecipients, and program managers to resolve issues in a timely and professional manner, providing exemplary customer service.


• Comply with laws and regulations, accounting standards, policies, and guidance by maintaining knowledge, enforcing adherence to requirements, filing required reports, and advising management on needed actions.


• Support the annual financial audit and for-profit federal award compliance audit as well as customer-specific audits by preparing assigned schedules and documentation.
   

Subrecipient Monitoring and Management

• Create and deliver training for subrecipients to ensure comprehensive understanding of the invoicing process.


• Ensure federal and contractual compliance of the subrecipients’ financial activities.


• Perform annual review and assessment of subrecipient monitoring procedures and practices to confirm continued compliance with regulatory requirements.


• Identify potential problem areas and assist subrecipients in complying with applicable laws and regulations.


• Verify the subrecipients’ ability to appropriately manage federal funding:
  
  
  
  • Obtain current policies and procedures from subrecipients, evaluate their systems, and assess compliance with all relevant subaward requirements.
  
  
  • Perform ongoing monitoring based on risk assessments.
  
  
  • Identify potential problem areas and assist subrecipients in complying with applicable laws and regulations.
  
  
  • Assess if subrecipients have a continuing capacity to conduct the program.
  
  
  • Assist subrecipients in resolving compliance problems through discussion, negotiation, and the provision of technical assistance and training.
  
  
  • Determine if a subrecipient is conducting its activities in a timely manner and in accordance with the subaward, and report deficiencies immediately upon identification.
  
  
  • Provide adequate follow-up measures to validate that performance and compliance deficiencies are corrected by subrecipients and not repeated.
  
  
  • Verify subrecipients’ indirect costs are appropriately managed and are allowable.


• Verify that required programmatic records are maintained to demonstrate compliance with applicable regulations and requirements.


• Verify subrecipients have received audits, as required under 2 C.F.R. Part 200 Subpart F. and 2 C.F.R Part 910 Subpart F.


• Provide recommendations for adjustments to subrecipient agreements based on results of audits, on-site reviews, or other monitoring activities.


• Offer recommendations for addressing subrecipient noncompliance when necessary.


• Maintain issue log and provide weekly updates for any unresolved problems.


• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics

• Strong understanding of customer contract requirements, policies and procedures and regulatory requirements related to funding including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR 31), and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS).


• Excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills. Coordination and communication with program managers, customers, subrecipients, auditors, and other key stakeholders is required.


• Ability to ensure customer satisfaction through monitoring, developing, improving, and delivering excellent service.


• Excellent computer skills including expert Excel skills and intermediate Word, PowerPoint & Outlook.


• Ability to prepare financial reports, analyses, reconciliations, budgets, and projections.


• Well organized, highly detailed oriented, accuracy driven.


• Works well with others and uses time effectively to accomplish goals/resolve problems.


• Must be comfortable with strict deadlines.


• Takes initiative to actively collaborate with others.


• Able to anticipate, identify, and define problems and root causes, and develop timely and practical solutions.

Education and Experience

• BA or BS in Accounting or Finance or equivalent combination of education and experience required.


• Minimum five years project accounting and grant/contract accounting experience.


• Prior supervisory experience preferred.


• Extensive computer experience including advanced experience in Microsoft Excel and accounting software.


• QuickBooks Online experience a plus.


• Experience preparing budgets, financial statements and reports, and analyses.


• Experience with complex Federal Government grants/contracts and knowledge of cost accounting principles of allowability, allocability, and reasonableness, along with characterization of direct and indirect costs, in compliance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR 31), and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS).

Pay Transparency

The salary range for this position is $80,000 - $115,000 USD annually. This salary range is GTI Energy’s good faith estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, GTI Energy’s business or organizational needs and an individual’s relevant experience, education, qualifications, certifications, skills, seniority, geographic location, and/or performance. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus. The range listed is just one component of GTI Energy’s total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, paid time off, and region-specific benefits.

EEO Statement

GTI Energy is committed to developing a barrier-free recruitment process and work environment.  If you require any accommodation, please e-mail us at HumanResources@gti.energy and we’ll work with you to meet your accessibility needs. You must have legal authorization to work for GTI Energy on your date of hire with no further action required by GTI Energy. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and give consideration to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, or genetic information.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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