TANK (Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky) - Director of Finance, Accounting & Grants

Director Of Accounting, Finance & Grants

The Director of Accounting, Finance & Grants leads the organization'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.

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 executive leadership and the 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 applicable supplier diversity and regulatory reporting programs.

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 regulatory review readiness and required annual 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.

Licenses Required

None

Supervisory Responsibilities

Directly supervises Manager of Financial Accounting