Location : Main Campus - Baytown, TX
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:Division: External Affairs
Opening Date: 11/11/2026
Closing Date: 11/30/2026 11:59 PM Central
Position OverviewStarting Salary Range is $85,841.60 - $90,220. The initial salary offer is commensurate with education and related work experience.
The Principal Foundation Accountant and Grant Compliance Officer (PFA/GCO) provides strategic and operational leadership for Lee College Foundation accounting services and grant fiscal compliance in partnership with the College's Grants Management Office. The PFA/GCO is accountable for accurate financial reporting, effective internal controls, audit readiness, and stewardship of Foundation and grant-funded resources in accordance with institutional policies, donor restrictions, grantor requirements, and applicable regulations.
The PFA/GCO exercises independent professional judgment, establishes priorities for assigned functions, and advises Foundation leadership, College finance staff, grant managers, and project directors on financial performance, compliance risks, and corrective actions. The position leads financial planning, annual Foundation audit, policy and procedure development, and cross-departmental coordination while retaining responsibility for day-to-day accounting and compliance activities.
This position advances the College's strategic priorities through sound financial management, effective stewardship of donor resources, and sustainable support for external funding initiatives. The PFA/GCO provides functional leadership and training to campus partners and makes recommendations to the Vice President regarding resources, systems, and operational improvements.
Essential Duties & ResponsibilitiesFoundation Accounting & Financial Stewardship- Direct and perform Foundation accounting activities for restricted funds, scholarships, donations, endowments, and special projects, ensuring accurate records and appropriate controls
- Oversee account reconciliations and financial close processes; resolve discrepancies and ensure complete, timely documentation
- Lead Foundation budget development, forecasting, and fiscal analysis in collaboration with Foundation leadership and College finance staff
- Prepare and present financial reports, analyses, and recommendations to Foundation leadership and, as requested, the Foundation Board and its committees
- Serve as the principal Foundation accounting liaison to College business and finance offices, coordinating transactions, transfers, reporting, and resolution of financial issues
- Ensure restricted and designated funds are tracked and used consistently with donor intent, supporting accurate stewardship reporting
- Provide financial oversight of fundraising activities, endowments, grants, and special initiatives; identify trends, risks, and resource needs for leadership consideration
Grant Management, Accounting, Budgeting & Compliance- Lead grant fiscal compliance and financial monitoring in coordination with the Grants Management Office, ensuring adherence to award terms, institutional policies, and applicable requirements
- Guide grant managers and project directors in budget development, fiscal planning, expenditure tracking, and budget modifications
- Review grant expenditures for allowability, allocability, reasonableness, and funding restrictions; identify concerns and coordinate timely resolution within established authority
- Ensure accurate and timely financial reports, reimbursement requests, budget updates, and supporting documentation are prepared and submitted through required approval processes
- Establish financial reporting calendars and coordinate responsibilities with project directors and departments to meet grant and institutional deadlines
- Establish and maintain grant financial documentation standards to support audits, monitoring reviews, records retention, and compliance reporting
- Direct fiscal aspects of post-award administration, including account setup, reconciliation, monitoring, and closeout, in partnership with responsible College offices
- Develop and implement grant financial procedures, internal controls, and compliance monitoring practices in coordination with College finance and Grants Management leadership
- Monitor spending, performance periods, and financial risks; recommend corrective actions and track resolution with responsible departments
- Provide authoritative guidance and training on grant fiscal requirements; escalate complex interpretations and significant compliance concerns to appropriate leadership
- Guide fiscal research and contribute financial analyses, budgets, and compliance considerations to grant proposals, white papers, and presentations
- Oversee the use and integrity of grant management systems and databases and tracking systems, and recommending improvements as needed
Audit, Reporting & Operational Leadership- Lead coordination of annual Foundation audit and grant financial audits and monitoring reviews, serving as a primary fiscal contact for auditors and reviewers
- Ensure timely audit preparation documentation; coordinate responses to findings and monitor completion of corrective actions with responsible offices
- Lead improvements to financial and grant tracking systems, reporting tools, and workflows to strengthen accuracy, efficiency, and accountability
- Translate financial results and compliance issues into clear analyses and recommendations that support leadership decisions and resource planning
- Establish functional goals and service standards; evaluate internal controls and operational performance, and recommend policy and process improvements
- Maintain confidentiality of financial, donor, employee, and institutional information
- Advise the Vice President on emerging financial and compliance risks, staffing and resource needs, and priorities affecting Foundation operations and grant fiscal management
Additional Duties & Responsibilities - Perform other duties as assigned
Minimum Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities - Bachelor's (or higher) degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or related field required
- Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, financial management, grants administration, or financial compliance, including leadership of financial operations, compliance functions, or significant cross-departmental initiatives
- Demonstrated knowledge of accounting principles, budgeting, financial reporting, internal controls, and financial compliance practices
- Proficiency with financial systems, spreadsheets, database management & reporting tools
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to assess financial risks and recommend corrective actions
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with demonstrated ability to advise leadership and coordinate work across departments and external partners
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality
- Knowledge of accounting principles, restricted fund stewardship, budgeting, financial reporting, and internal controls
- Knowledge of grant fiscal compliance, financial monitoring, audit preparation, and corrective action processes
- Ability to interpret complex financial data and communicate implications, risks, and recommendations clearly to varied audiences
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Ability to develop procedures, provide training, and guide financial and compliance practices across departments
- Strong functional leadership, project management, and organizational skills, including the ability to establish priorities and coordinate accountability without direct supervisory authority
- Ability to exercise independent judgment, resolve complex issues, and lead collaborative improvements within institutional policies and delegated authority
- Commitment to accuracy, accountability, customer service, and operational excellence
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders while maintaining confidentiality and financial integrity
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
Preferred Qualifications- Experience leading financial operations in higher education, nonprofit, governmental, or Foundation settings, including restricted funds, endowments, or grant-funded budgets
- Experience with grant compliance, audit coordination, policy development, and financial presentations to executive leadership or governing boards
- Advanced degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field; Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or other relevant professional certification preferred
Do you have a Bachelor's (or higher) degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field?
02
Do you have five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, financial management, grants administration, or financial compliance, including leadership of financial operations, compliance functions, or significant cross-departmental initiatives?
03
Do you have demonstrated knowledge of accounting principles, budgeting, financial reporting, internal controls, and financial compliance practices?
04
Are you proficient with financial systems, Microsoft Office (Excel), spreadsheets, database management and reporting tools?
05
Are you available to work evenings and weekends as needed?
06
Do you have experience leading financial operations in higher education, nonprofit, governmental, or Foundation settings, including restricted funds, endowments, or grant-funded budgets?
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Do you have experience with grant compliance, audit coordination, policy development, and financial presentations to executive leadership or governing boards?
08
Do you have an advanced degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field; Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or other relevant professional certification?
Required Question
