Financial Reconciliation Specialist

Closing Date: February 4, 2026

Salary: $44,998.81- $59,143.37 - Salary is commensurate with education and experience

Job Code: GSP131

Pay Grade: K

Location: Home-based (Atlanta, GA)

This is a re-advertisement; applicants who previously submitted resumes are still under consideration and will not need to re-apply.

Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is responsible for meeting the childcare and early education needs of Georgia's children and their families.  It administers the nationally recognized Georgia's Pre-K Program, licenses childcare centers and home-based childcare, administers Georgia Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program, federal nutrition programs, and managers Quality Rated, Georgia's community powered childcare rating system.

The department also houses the Head Start State Collaboration Office, distributes federal funding to enhance the quality and availability of childcare, and works collaboratively with Georgia childcare resource and referral agencies and organizations throughout the state to enhance early care and education.

Job Description:

Under general supervision of the Division Director, the Financial Reconciliation Specialist will be responsible for performing detailed financial reconciliations of publicly funded nutrition programs. This includes ensuring compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements.  The role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of federal nutrition programs.

Job Duties:

a.      Analyze and approve weekly payments prior to disbursements to institutions operating the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Happy Helpings, Georgia’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).  

b.      Assess viability, capability, and accountability of organizations applying to participate in CACFP and SFSP.

c.       Manage the vendor management process for organizations wishing to receive funds from DECAL.

d.      Oversee the entire lifecycle of Division contracts, from initiation to execution, compliance, and renewal or closeout.

e.      Review annual reconciliations of CACFP and SFSP budget, revenues, and expenditures including identifying any unused or excess funds and any potential discrepancies.

f.        Assist with state and federal reporting.

g.       Collaborate with other DECAL team members as required to successfully complete the job duties as detailed above.

h.      Coordinates and/or participates in cross-team/division or department initiatives related to food and nutrition, quality, and/or federal program and compliance

i.        Provides ongoing guidance, solutions, and updates to Division Director on pertinent Program issues and responds quickly and effectively to resolve problems

j.        Conducts other duties and/or special projects as assigned and within scope of job functions

Technical Competencies:

• Ability to reconcile complex financial data across multiple systems (e.g., general ledger vs. sub-ledgers, internal vs. external reports).
• Experience identifying and resolving discrepancies in financial records.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, formulas, macros).
• Ability to prepare financial reports, variance analyses, and reconciliation summaries.
• Familiarity with federal, state, and local financial regulations and reporting requirements.
• Skill in analyzing financial documents, tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and other supporting materials.

·       Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.

·       Excellent organizational skills.

·       Demonstrate ability to manage the delivery of services and processes with accuracy and within federal and state requirements.

·       Ability to instill exemplary customer service as a program foundational value and priority.

·       Ability to manage own time, set priorities, work without direct supervision, and contribute to team atmosphere.

·       Experience working with diverse communities and sensitivity to needs and concerns of various participants.

Physical Position Requirements:

·       Requires the ability to receive detailed information through oral and written communication.

·       Requires the ability to speak clearly.  

·       Requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading and visual inspection. 

·       Requires the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data. Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification. 

·       Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.

·       Requires a full range of hand and finger motion for data entry purposes. 

·       Requires the ability to occasionally continuously stand or walk for long periods of time; regularly requires bending, stooping, reaching, twisting, lifting, pushing, pulling and moving items or materials occasionally of moderate weight up to 30 pounds. 

·       Statewide and out-of-state travel may be required to attend training events and/or conferences.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Associate degree in business or related field from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of experience related to area of assignment; or one (1) year of experience required at the lower level Busi Support Analyst 1 (GSP130). Note: An equivalent combination of knowledge, education, job or intern experience, training, or certifications that provides the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully perform the job at the level listed may be substituted year-over-year.

Agency Preferred Qualifications:

Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or Public Administration preferred. An equivalent combination of education and job specific experience that provides the knowledge, experience and competencies required to successfully perform the job at the level listed may be substituted on a year-over-year basis.

Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is a family-friendly employer, offering flexible work schedules (at supervisory discretion) and a comprehensive compensation package, to include healthcare, retirement, 401-k match, and elective options for dental, vision, AD&D, short and long-term disability, and life insurance. Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is an equal opportunity employer and drug-free workplace. A background check will be completed upon hire, which may consist of any or all of the following: criminal and employment histories, credit history (as applicable to the position), education credentials, and motor vehicle driving records.

“If you are an individual with a disability who may require assistance or other reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the selection process for this position, you may contact our HR department at 678-879-2993. Due to the volume of submissions received by this office, information concerning application or interview status cannot be provided in writing, over the phone, or in person. All applicants who submit a complete application package will be considered but may not necessarily receive notification or an interview. The job posting may be subject to being closed at any time without notice. Only those qualified candidates who are selected for an interview shall receive notification upon the filling of this vacancy.

Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is an equal opportunity employer.