Application Guide

How to Apply for Accounting & Grant Compliance Lead

at Ecology Project International

🏢 About Ecology Project International

Ecology Project International (EPI) uniquely combines youth education with hands-on conservation through local expert-student partnerships. Unlike traditional environmental organizations, EPI focuses on empowering the next generation while directly protecting threatened species and habitats. Working here means contributing to both conservation outcomes and youth development in a mission-driven, collaborative environment.

About This Role

This Accounting & Grant Compliance Lead role is central to EPI's financial integrity and funding sustainability, managing all GAAP-compliant financial reporting while ensuring strict adherence to grant requirements. The position directly supports conservation programs by tracking restricted funds and leading grant budget coordination with program teams, making financial accuracy crucial to field operations. You'll serve as the financial bridge between conservation work and donor accountability.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing site coordinator reconciliations from field locations, preparing a financial report for a sea turtle conservation grant, and meeting with program staff to discuss budget variances. You'll likely spend time in QuickBooks managing AP/AR while coordinating with the development team on upcoming grant deadlines, with occasional Duty Officer responsibilities requiring availability for urgent matters.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for Ecology Project International

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Ecology Project International Is Looking For

  • Has 3-5 years of hands-on GAAP accounting experience with proven ability to prepare financial statements and manage month-end closing processes independently
  • Demonstrates specific experience with grant compliance, including preparing financial reports for funders and tracking restricted funds in coordination with program staff
  • Shows genuine commitment to conservation through previous volunteer work, relevant education, or clear articulation of why EPI's mission resonates personally
  • Is proficient with QuickBooks (or similar ERP) and advanced Excel for reconciliation and reporting, with ability to train site coordinators on financial processes

📝 Tips for Applying to Ecology Project International

1

Quantify your grant compliance experience: specify how many grants you've managed, types of funders (foundations, government), and dollar amounts in your resume

2

Highlight any conservation or nonprofit accounting experience prominently, even if volunteer-based, to show mission alignment

3

Mention specific QuickBooks modules you've used (e.g., QuickBooks Online, Enterprise) and Excel functions relevant to reconciliation (PivotTables, VLOOKUP)

4

Address the multicultural work environment requirement by describing specific experiences working with diverse teams or international colleagues

5

Explain your understanding of restricted fund tracking in nonprofits, as this is specifically mentioned in the job description

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Connect your accounting experience directly to conservation outcomes—explain how financial accuracy enables field programs to protect species', 'Provide a specific example of managing a complex grant from reporting through compliance, highlighting coordination with program staff', "Demonstrate knowledge of EPI's specific programs (like their sea turtle or wolf conservation projects) and how your role supports them", 'Address the Duty Officer responsibility by showing reliability and comfort with occasional after-hours availability']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → EPI's specific conservation programs (Caribbean, Yellowstone, Costa Rica, etc.) and their funding sources mentioned in annual reports
  • → The organization's recent financial audits or 990 forms to understand their funding structure and compliance needs
  • → EPI's youth education methodology and how local experts are integrated into programs
  • → Major conservation funders that support similar organizations (e.g., NOAA, private foundations) to understand likely grant requirements

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through your process for preparing a quarterly financial grant report from data collection to submission
2 How would you train a non-financial site coordinator on proper expense documentation for grant compliance?
3 Describe a time you identified a compliance issue in restricted fund tracking and how you resolved it
4 How do you prioritize when managing monthly closing while also preparing urgent grant reports?
5 What about EPI's specific conservation approach (youth + local experts) motivates you to work here versus other environmental organizations?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on technical accounting skills without demonstrating understanding of nonprofit or conservation sector financial management
  • Failing to address the grant compliance aspects specifically—this isn't just a general accounting role
  • Not showing genuine interest in EPI's unique youth-driven conservation model versus generic environmental enthusiasm

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Ecology Project International!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →