How to hire a grant accountant

How to hire a grant accountant, step by step

Here's a step-by-step grant accountant hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a grant accountant job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new grant accountant
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a grant accountant do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a grant accountant, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a grant accountant to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a grant accountant that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of grant accountants.

   Type of Grant Accountant	Description	Hourly rate
   Grant Accountant	Accountants and auditors prepare and examine financial records. They ensure that financial records are accurate and that taxes are paid properly and on time... Show more	$22-36
   Accounting Analyst	An accounting analyst is responsible for supporting the accounting operations of an organization, analyzing financial transactions and financial statements, and resolving account discrepancies. Accounting analysts interpret financial data by consolidating account transactions, performing account reconciliation, and managing account receivables... Show more	$20-37
   Accountant/Consultant	Accountants/consultants perform accounting tasks for organizations or companies. The accountants improve accounting practices and prepare financial statements at the end of every year... Show more	$22-41

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Reconciliations
   • Grants Management
   • GAAP
   • Payroll
   • Financial Analysis
   • Expenditure Reports
   • Federal Regulations
   • Financial Data
   • Financial Management
   • OMB
   • General Ledger Accounts
   • Principal Investigators
   • Financial Transactions
   • Financial Systems

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage sub-awards to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, and OMB circulars prior to payment process.
   • Manage all daily and biweekly payroll processes in accordance within establish deadlines.
   • Manage derivative accounting at global level and ensure accounting and economic hedging objectives are align.
   • Perform grant-related post-award functions, including budget and expense analysis, financial reporting and reconciliations.
   • Coordinate audit process with outside CPA firm, audit lead schedules, reports.
   • Supervise monthly payroll processing and tax calculations.

   More grant accountant duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your grant accountant job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A grant accountant salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, grant accountants' average salary in montana is 37% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level grant accountants earn 39% less than senior-level grant accountants.
   • Certifications. A grant accountant with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a grant accountant's salary.

   Average grant accountant salary

   $59,472yearly

   $28.59 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level grant accountant salary

   $46,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 28, 2025

   Average grant accountant salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$70,600	$34
   2	New York	$70,048	$34
   3	District of Columbia	$69,847	$34
   4	Washington	$67,659	$33
   5	Massachusetts	$65,526	$32
   6	Virginia	$64,122	$31
   7	Connecticut	$63,125	$30
   8	Illinois	$60,275	$29
   9	Oregon	$59,941	$29
   10	Maryland	$59,329	$29
   11	Georgia	$58,867	$28
   12	Colorado	$58,524	$28
   13	Pennsylvania	$56,875	$27
   14	Texas	$56,741	$27
   15	Arizona	$55,947	$27
   16	Nevada	$54,403	$26
   17	Wisconsin	$54,043	$26
   18	North Carolina	$53,717	$26
   19	Ohio	$53,429	$26
   20	Florida	$52,828	$25

   Average grant accountant salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Search for Common Ground	$67,836	$32.61
   2	University of California	$65,929	$31.70	5
   3	La Maestra Community Health Centers	$64,697	$31.10
   4	Rogue Community Health	$64,591	$31.05
   5	AltaMed Health Services	$64,364	$30.94
   6	Beacon Hill Staffing Group	$63,454	$30.51
   7	Yale University	$63,229	$30.40	6
   8	Rosecrance	$62,586	$30.09
   9	HRL Laboratories	$62,508	$30.05
   10	Rehmann	$62,025	$29.82	1
   11	Ethan Allen Workforce Solutions	$61,353	$29.50
   12	Boston Medical Center	$61,263	$29.45	2
   13	CRDF Global	$61,048	$29.35
   14	Starting Point	$60,989	$29.32
   15	Addison Group	$60,874	$29.27	40
   16	Colorado State Express	$60,825	$29.24
   17	National Restaurant Association	$60,774	$29.22
   18	Creative Financial Staffing	$60,734	$29.20
   19	Career Strategies	$60,667	$29.17	1
   20	Instituto del Progreso Latino	$60,625	$29.15

4. Writing a grant accountant job description

   A grant accountant job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a grant accountant job description:

   Grant accountant job description example

   At Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY), our greatest strengths are the employees who empower every individual with the information, resources, and care they need to live happy, healthy lives.
   
   Picture yourself here: We are a team of trusted health care providers, educators, and fierce advocates committed to advancing equity and improving health outcomes in communities that face systemic barriers to quality, innovative sexual and reproductive health services -- including birth control, pregnancy testing, emergency contraception, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, HIV testing and prevention, transgender hormone therapy, wellness exams, crisis counseling, and financial counseling. PPGNY also proudly provides compassionate, nonjudgmental abortion services.
   
   Responsibilities include:Responsible for a portfolio of government grants throughout the grant lifecycle: from award through close out reports Monitors budget vs actual results for each grant and creates forecasts for review with program staff and grants team Meets with program staff on a monthly basis to discuss the progress of deliverables of grants toward successful completion and resolve concerns and discrepancies.Prepares budget analysis and projections for cost-based grants and coordinates with program in meeting objectives for performance-based grants. Prepare monthly/quarterly financial and reimbursement invoices and reports to various funders Prepares budget proposals, modifications and renewal budgets.Establishes audit schedule and coordinates funder audit. Maintain complete and accurate grant files in OneDrivePrepare salary and OTPS allocation changes and submit to Accounting and Payroll and needed Train program staff on proper coding of expenditures so that expenses are correctly tracked against grant budget. Reconcile and close grants on a timely basis
   
   You have:A minimum of 5 years of experience in accounting experience and a solid understanding of grants and cost center reporting Experience working with various government agencies on the Federal, State and NYC level (HHS, DCJS, OVS, NYSDOH, DOHMH)
   Compensation:$65,000-$70,000
   PPGNY's benefits package includes:
   Generous PTO and holiday schedule
   Medical, dental and vision coverage options for you and eligible dependents
   FSA, HSA, Commuter pre-tax reimbursement funds
   Short and Long Term Disability, Free Basic Life and AD&D
   401(k) Retirement Plan with Safe Harbor contributions after 1 year of employment
   All positions at PPGNY require:
   Proof of immunization or immunity to certain communicable diseases (including influenza during the flu season) and testing for tuberculosis. These certifications are required by the NYC DOHMH Health Code, NYSDOH and OSHA.
   
   Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY) is a leading provider, educator, and advocate of sexual and reproductive health care in New York State. PPGNY is proud to provide a wide-range of family planning services at our 28 health centers and mobile care units. We care for everyone regardless of their immigration status, zip code or ability to pay. PPGNY's education and outreach programs are backed by medically-accurate, evidence-based information that allows people to make informed decisions about their health and future. As a voice for reproductive freedom, PPGNY supports legislation and policies that ensure all New Yorkers have access to the full range of reproductive health care and education.
   
   At PPGNY, we provide the absolute best care to our patients and our communities through innovative health care delivery and education programming. We care for everyone who walks through our doors regardless of insurance, ability to pay or immigration status. As a leading voice for reproductive freedom, PPGNY fiercely advocates for policies to ensure that all New Yorkers will have access to the full range of reproductive health care services and information.
   
   PPGNY is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe we are most impactful when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with common purpose. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find grant accountants for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your grant accountant job on Zippia to find and recruit grant accountant candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with grant accountant candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new grant accountant

   Once you've decided on a perfect grant accountant candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a grant accountant?