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Director of Finance, Accounting & Grants

@ Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky
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Fort Wright, Kentucky, United States
OnsiteFull Time
Responsibilities:leading budgets, managing grants, supervising accounting
Requirements Summary:Bachelor's in accounting/finance/economics/public administration required; 7+ years financial management experience, 5+ years supervisory experience; governmental accounting, budgeting, grant administration, audit and compliance expertise.
Technical Tools Mentioned:National Transit Database (NTD)
Job Description
TRANSIT AUTHORITY OF NORTHERN KENTUCKY
 

 

 
June 2026
 
Position Title: Director of Finance, Accounting and Grants                       Dept./Division: Administration
Reports to:  General Manager                         FLSA Status:  Exempt                Safety Sensitive Position:  No
 
 
JOB SUMMARY:
 
The Director of Finance, Accounting & Grants leads TANK’s operating and capital budgeting processes, financial planning, grant management and administration, compliance activities, financial and regulatory reporting, and financial analysis. This position serves as a key member of the leadership team, providing financial insight and guidance to support sound decision-making, long-term sustainability, operational effectiveness, and responsible stewardship of public resources.  The Director also provides oversight to the financial accounting team.
 
The Director ensures the integrity, accuracy, and transparency of financial information while managing complex funding sources, including federal, state, and local grants. This position develops and implements of financial strategies, policies, and controls that align organizational resources with strategic priorities and community needs.  The Director partners cross-functionally with internal departments, funding agencies, and external stakeholders to ensure accurate financial reporting, effective resource planning, and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
 
EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
 
Minimum Qualifications
  • Minimum Bachelor’s degree with a concentration in accounting, budgeting, finance, economics, or public administration, or any equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the above-noted knowledge, skills, and abilities.  MBA or an MS in Financial Management is highly preferred.
  • Minimum seven (7) years of experience in progressively responsible positions within the functional financial management areas, including accounting, budgeting, auditing, or financial or fiscal analysis.
  • Minimum five (5) years of management experience.
  • Experience in governmental, nonprofit, transportation, or other publicly funded environments preferred.
Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Strong knowledge of governmental accounting principles, budgeting, financial reporting, and internal controls.
  • Knowledge of grant administration, compliance requirements, and public funding processes.
  • Ability to analyze complex financial information and communicate findings clearly to both financial and non-financial audiences.
  • Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and competing demands.
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
  • Commitment to ethical financial stewardship and public service.
  • Leader with a proven record of success in managing staff within a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to provide effective leadership and develop cooperative working relationships with staff, department heads, the public, and contract service providers.
  • Ability to manage confidential information and documents.
  • Strong problem solving and conflict management skills.
  • Ability and experience to apply effective management principles and practices.
  • Strong computer and standard business/office software skills.
  • Desire to continue professional development.
 
Essential Responsibilities
 
Financial Leadership & Strategy
  • Serves as the organization’s financial leader and strategic advisor to the General Manager, leadership team, and Board of Directors.
  • Develops and implements financial strategies that support organizational goals, sustainability, and responsible growth.
  • Provides analysis, recommendations, and financial forecasting to support operational and capital planning decisions.
  • Monitors financial trends, risks, opportunities, and emerging challenges; recommend solutions to leadership.
  • Leads the development of annual operating and capital budgets, including long-range financial planning.
  • Evaluates financial impacts of service changes, operational initiatives, contracts, and strategic investments.
 
Accounting Operations & Financial Reporting
  • Supervises the Manager of Financial Accounting and thereby direct all accounting functions, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll coordination, fixed assets, cash management, and financial reconciliations.
  • Prepares monthly financial statements, variance reports, dashboard materials and financial narratives for TANK management and Board of Directors.
  • Develops and analyzes key financial and operational performance indicators, including revenue trends, labor costs, fringe benefits, medical expense trends, materials, services, claims, and other major cost drivers.
  • Acts as liaison to the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise reporting system.
  • Establishes and maintains strong internal controls, financial policies, and procedures while maintaining compliance with governmental accounting principles and reporting requirements.
  • Provides long-term financial planning, scenario analysis/modeling, and funding analysis and projections to assist leadership in evaluating agency priorities and financial sustainability.
  • Supports annual audit activities, Uniform Guidance compliance, internal control documentation, grant testing, and preparation of schedules or supporting documentation requested by auditors.
Budget Development & Administration
  • Leads the annual budget process, including departmental coordination, financial modeling, revenue and expense forecasting and presentation materials.
  • Monitors budget performance and provide regular variance analysis and recommendations.
  • Maintains alignment between the general ledger, chart of accounts, budget worksheets, financial systems, and department-level reporting to ensure accurate budgeting and reporting across the organization.
  • Partners with department leaders to improve financial accountability and resource allocation and to monitor spending trends and variances.
  • Develops financial dashboards and reporting tools to support transparency and informed decision-making.
  • Communicates operating budget information to various regulatory agencies through web portals, email, formal reports, and other required submission methods.
 
Grants Management & Compliance
  • Manages all grant administration activities, including federal, state, and local funding programs.
  • Maintains the Capital Project master list and supports downstream activities to include procurement, integration into the grant planning process and creation of an annual capital budget.
  • Manages all functions of the federal grant process:  project compliance, application, follow-up, cash disbursements in accordance with the FTA regulations/guidance, required reporting and record-keeping.
  • Ensures compliance with grant requirements, reporting deadlines, allowable costs, procurement requirements, and documentation standards through maintenance and accurate tracking of all grants.
  • Maintains grant records and supporting documentation to ensure audit readiness, regulatory compliance, and accurate financial reporting.
  • Oversees grant applications, amendments, budgets and budget revisions, reimbursement requests, drawdowns, and closeout processes, in accordance with KYTC, FTA and other funding agency requirements.
  • Maintains strong working relationships with funding agencies and external partners regarding grant applications, reporting, compliance, and financial documentation.
  • Monitors changes in grant regulations and funding opportunities that may impact the organization.
  • Responsible for FTA Triennial Review readiness and annual National Transit Database (NTD) financial reporting and compliance.
 
Capital Planning & Asset Management
  • Supports capital planning processes, including funding strategies, project development and budgets, and financial/grant reporting.
  • Monitors capital expenditures and ensure alignment with approved plans.
  • Partners with operations and leadership teams on asset lifecycle planning and financial sustainability.
Leadership, Team Development & Process Improvement
  • Leads, mentors, and develops finance and accounting staff.
  • Establishes a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, customer service, and operational excellence.
  • Develops processes that improve efficiency, accuracy, and responsiveness across the organization.
  • Promotes collaboration among departments and foster strong internal partnerships.
  • Leads or supports implementation and improvement of financial systems, budgeting tools, reporting processes, and internal workflows.
  • Manages budgeting software implementation activities, including vendor coordination, chart of accounts alignment, workflow design, user testing, training, and transition from spreadsheet-based processes.
  • Identifies opportunities to improve financial reporting, budget development, grant tracking, data accuracy, and cross-departmental financial processes.
  • Develops, updates, and documents finance-related policies and procedures to support compliance, consistency, transparency, and audit readiness.
  • Supports the development and maintenance of policies, procedures, tracking tools, and internal controls related to grants, budgeting, procurement, capital assets, leases, subscription-based technology arrangements, cash management, and federal compliance.
  • Partners with internal departments and external technical support teams to improve financial system functionality, reporting accuracy, and process efficiency.
 
Board & External Relations
  • Prepares and presents financial information, reports, and recommendations to the Board of Directors and executive leadership.
  • Supports transparency and accountability as a steward of public funds.
  • Represents the organization with auditors, financial institutions, governmental agencies, funding partners, and community stakeholders.
Performs other duties as assigned.
 
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
  • Sitting in a normal seated position for extended periods of time.
  • Reaching by extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction.
  • Finger dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, such as using a keyboard.
  • Correctable ability to see and hear within a normal range.
  • Ability to move about the office to obtain files and other objects.
  • Lift and carry objects up to 30 pounds within an area of 50 feet radius.
 
LICENCES REQUIRED:
 
  • None
 
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
 
  • Directly supervises Manager of Financial Accounting
 
INTERNAL & EXTERNAL CONTACTS:                  TYPE:            
 
  • TANK Board of Directors                          Committee Lead/presentations
  • General Manager                                   Financial direction/support
  • Federal Transit Administration                   Federal Funding & Other Compliance
  • Kentucky Transportation Cabinet               State Funding & Other Compliance
  • Vendors & Suppliers                               Various project & commercial issues
  • Department Directors                              Financial direction/support
  • Various Auditing Firms                            Financial / Pension / NTD Audits
  • Kentucky Dept for Local Government SPGE Reporting
 
 
This job description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of an incumbent.  It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required.  An incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.
7/9/26