Salary : $68,318.56 - $102,433.71 Annually Location : Oceanside, CA Job Type: Full-time Job Number: FY2026-00014 Department: Finance Division Division: GRANTS Opening Date: 07/25/2025 Closing Date: 8/15/2025 11:59 PM Pacific Description Under general direction from the Accounting Manager-Projects and Grants, the Grants Accountant prepares complex general ledger entries and account reconciliations. S/he works with the Accounting Manager-Projects and Grants to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the District's general ledger. Distinguishing Characteristics This position requires a high-level knowledge and application of accounting principles, project accounting, understanding of the interrelationships among accounting functions, and the ability to exercise more independent judgment in performing accounting functions. Supervision Received and Exercised This position reports to the Accounting Manager-Projects and Grants and does not exercise any supervisory authority. This position is expected to participate in the sharing of expert knowledge and as a vital member of various project teams that may be instituted. Working Conditions Normal working conditions for this position are in both an office and field setting. Business travel may be required periodically between District sites, governmental agencies, consultants' facilities, and other locations as required. Examples of Duties Essential Functions Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Maintains detailed grant-funded project budgets and balances projects revenues to expenses.
- Prepares adjusting/recurring journal entries as needed.
- Maintains comprehensive financial records including invoices, receipts and other relevant documents.
- Prepares invoices to grant agencies with the applicable backup documentation.
- Prepares Federal Transit Administration (FTA) drawdown requests.
- Performs monthly reconciliations of grant accounts; ensures accuracy and identifies discrepancies that need to be addressed.
- Reconciles subsidiary ledgers with the general ledger.
- Prepares and presents financial reports for grantors; details and tracks grants fund utilization; ensures compliance with reporting requirements.
- Assists with audits related to grant-funded projects and provides needed financial documentation and explanations to auditors.
- Assists in the preparation of grant applications, amendments requests, extensions, revisions, and progress updates.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications Education/Experience
- Bachelor's Degree in accounting or related field.
- Minimum four (4) years directly relevant experience in accounting.
A combination of experience/skills and education to fulfill the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this position may be considered. Certificates/Licenses
- Maintain compliance with the District's policy regarding Conflict of Interest and Ethics.
General Requirements
- Strong knowledge of and the ability to apply generally accepted accounting and auditing principles.
- Ability to read and understand technical material, government regulations, legal documents, and/or complex work instructions.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure, multi-task, and organize workflow so as to deliver high-quality products within established deadlines.
- Exceptional relationship-building skills to deal effectively with individuals at all levels of responsibility and authority.
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to analyze routine and non-routine financial situations, solve problems, and present alternatives, and skills in preparing and analyzing complex financial reports.
- Demonstrated above-average proficiency in computer software programs, particularly the Microsoft Office Suite. Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems such as JD Edwards.
Supplemental Information Physical Requirements The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee must possess the ability to use the phone and computer for extended periods, manual dexterity to complete clerical functions and work with office equipment, and lift equipment up to 25 pounds on a daily basis. The employee must be able to hear, see, and communicate verbally to exchange information. The employee must be able to physically travel between District locations and other destinations, work in evenings when required, work in hazardous conditions, and negotiate a variety of different and irregular terrain as is typical along a railway right of way. The employee may be subject to fumes, odors, dusts, gases, chemicals. The employee must be able to walk, climb, balance, bend, carry, push, reach, sit, and stand. Machines / Tools / Equipment
- Ability to operate a personal computer and Microsoft Office Suite programs.
Ability to operate standard office equipment, including a fax and scanner machine, copy machine, and telephone. Application Information: All applicants must complete and submit an online application at . A job offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen and background check. Salary based upon experience, not to exceed midpoint of stated range. NCTD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Retirement: NCTD participates in the CalPERS retirement program with a benefit formula of 1.5% @ 65 for PEPRA new members. Benefits are calculated based on your age at retirement, the number of years of service credit with CalPERS and the average of your monthly compensation over the past 36 months (36 months average highest hourly pay rate). 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan: NCTD offers a Voluntary Deferred Compensation Savings Plan through VOYA Financial Services. Employees are eligible to enroll any time after the date of hire. The plan allows you to contribute pre-tax and/or post-tax dollars into selected funds of your choice. The plan also allows you to:
- Contribute up to amount specified annually by the IRS
- Catch-up plan for those 50+ of up to amount specified annually by the IRS
- Is portable, can be rolled over into another qualified retirement plan
- Employer match into a 401(a) account (50% up to 8% of employee compensation; Max NCTD contribution of 4%)
Medical Insurance: NCTD offers a rich variety of HMO and PPO plans to choose from and contributes towards your monthly medical premiums, if the coverage you select costs more than the amount NCTD contributes, then payroll deductions will be withheld on a pre-tax basis. Dental Insurance: NCTD offers two different dental plans for employees and their eligible dependents (HMO and PPO) from a reliable dental insurance provider. Human Resources can provide information regarding annual insurance provider and available plans. Both plans are part of NCTD's cafeteria plan (pre-tax payroll deductions for monthly premiums). Vision Insurance: NCTD offers vision services for employees and their eligible dependents through a reliable vision insurance provider. Human Resources can provide information regarding annual insurance provider and available plan. The plan is part of NCTD's cafeteria plan (pre-tax payroll deductions for monthly premiums). The benefits include:
- $10.00 co-pay for Annual Exam
- No charge for standard lenses every 12 months
- $125 retail allowance for frames every 2 years; OR $125 toward the contact lens.
Life Insurance: NCTD cares for its employees, and thus provides at no cost to the employee group life insurance in the amount of $50,000 (coverage includes Accidental Death and Dismemberment and Accelerated Death benefits). Additional life insurance is available for you and your eligible dependents at your expense. * Tax reporting is required for any amounts over $50,000, per IRS guidelines. Supplemental life insurance coverage premiums are deducted on a post-tax basis. Long Term Disability Insurance: NCTD offers voluntary Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance. You may elect units of $100 up to 60% of your hourly wage to a maximum of $6,000/month. Deductions are post-tax, coverage 24/7, limitations or exclusions, and benefits are payable to age 65 or for two years (whichever is longer). Flexible Spending Account Plan: NCTD offers two core FSA plans and two Commuter plans. Health Care and Dependent Care plans are Use It OR Lose It calendar year plans (Jan. 1st - Dec. 31st). The Commuter Transit and Parking plans do not have a use it or lose it policy. Plans are as follows:
- Health Care Spending Account:
- May contribute up to amount specified annually by the IRS
- Dependent Care Spending Account:
- May contribute up to amount specified annually by the IRS (including limitations if married)
- Commuter Transit Accounts:
- May contribute up to amount specified annually by the IRS
Disability Insurance: Employees contribute to California State Disability Insurance (SDI). The current contribution rate is 1.1% of earnings and is totally paid by the employee. After the 7-day waiting period, SDI pays a percentage of employee's salary up to a maximum of $1,540.00per week, for up to 52 weeks. SDI may be coordinated with Paid Time Off (PTO). Accident Insurance: NCTD offers voluntary accident insurance. You may elect coverage for you and your dependents for a flat monthly rate. Deductions are post-tax. Critical Illness Insurance: NTD offers voluntary Critical Illness insurance. You may elect coverage up to $10,000 in increments of $2,500, for you and between $2,500 - $5,000 for your dependents, not to exceed 50% of coverage amount. Deductions are post-tax. Administrative Holidays: NCTD recognizes 10 paid holidays per year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. PTO (Paid Time Off):All NCTD Regular, Probationary, and Limited-Term employees shall receive Paid Time Off (PTO). PTO shall be taken at reasonable times approved by the employee's supervisor. PTO shall be earned equally in each pay period during the year in accordance with the following schedule, based on the number of years of NCTD service completed: - 0 through 3.99 years of service completed: 120 hours per year (15 days) - 4.00 through 9.99 years of service completed: 176 hours per year (22 days) - 10 and more years of service completed: 216 hours per year (27 days) Transportation Passes: All NCTD employees receive an identification PRONTO Card which can be used to ride the following NCTD/MTS transit services (BREEZE, FLEX, SPRINTER, COASTER, MTS Bus, Trolley) at no charge. Eligible family members also receive a pass for NCTD public transportation at no charge (paratransit excluded). Bereavement Leave: NCTD offers paid bereavement leave. Employee Assistance Plan: The EAP offers assistance in areas such as:
- Emotional Support
- Work/Life Balance
- Family Care
Family Status Change: This allows you to add/drop dependents from current benefit plan elections per IRS Qualifying Events. If a Qualifying Event occurs, you MUST contact HR within 30 days of event, (Qualifying Event must relate to the benefit change you are requesting). Please contact Human Resources should you have any questions regarding NCTD Benefits. 01 Do you have a bachelors degree in accounting/finance or related field?
02 Do you have a minimum of four years directly relevant experience in accounting?
Required Question
