The Financial Specialist position exists to assist with the planning, management, and coordination of fiscal and human resources operations of the unit/department. This position carries signature authority for fiscal and human resources transactions, as it serves as substitute authority for the Sr. Business Manager. Consequently, the position can have major impact on capacity for strategic planning, responsible budget management, and compliance with university and governmental agency policies and regulations. Regular meetings with faculty to assist with management of externally funded projects influence decisions regarding appointments of student employees, research staff, budget modifications, and future proposal development. The position is responsible for working with the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects personnel in ensuring timely account set-ups and closures to maintain accurate accounting processes.

Required Qualifications

• Education: High School diploma or GED

• Experience: 5 years of accounting, business administration, and HR management experience.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Advanced knowledge of accounting policies and procedures.

  • Excellent communication, customer service and organization skills.

  • Ability to work independently and prioritize a heavy workload.

  • Excellent organizational and time-management skills.

  • Ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks based on needs of others and with time-sensitive deadlines.

  • Ability to work autonomously as well as within a team environment

  • Sound interpersonal and communication skills

  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education:

  • Associate’s degree with 4+ years of accounting and HR or business management experience

  • Bachelor's degree with 3-4 years of accounting and HR or business management experience

• Experience:

  • Experience in an academic environment

  • Financial work history at a comprehensive research university

  • DASH Oracle experience preferred

  • Knowledge of UT Policies and Procedures

  • Knowledge of Uniform Guidance and sponsored projects accounting.

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN

• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR09

• Anticipated hiring range: $60,000 – $65,000

• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here

• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments.

• Resume

• Cover Letter

About The Department

The Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department is part of the Tickle College of Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. More information can be found at https://tickle.utk.edu/mae/

Financial Operations, Controls & Compliance (80%)

• Analyzes, reconciles, and evaluates the accuracy of general ledgers, accounting details, revenues, expenditures, accounting/budget/financial reports and balances, ensuring appropriate amounts, documentation, expenditure classifications, and compliance with various policies and regulations.

• Assists staff, students, and faculty by providing advice, direction, and consultation regarding matters such as financial policies, project budget revisions and reporting requirements.

• Prepares and coordinates account budgets to consider budget projections according to established guidelines; assists in preparation and coordination of grant proposals; and monitors, verifies and reconciles grant funds.

• Maintains records of Principal Investigator grants/contracts and budget expenditures, informing supervisor and faculty of financial status, including account closures, budget modifications, and overspent accounts.

• Prepares cost transfer entries, accounting documents, spreadsheets and databases in the performance of comprehensive fiscal management duties.

• Calculate, track, and post entries for scholarships and fellowships for the department. Analyzes, reconciles, and evaluates the accuracy and validity of expenditures, accounting/budget/financial reports and balances, ensuring appropriate amounts, classification, documentation, and compliance with various awards.

• Prepare, track, and post entries for department tuition waivers in an accurate and timely manner.

• Serves as a liaison with college and university personnel to obtain and provide information to verify or support financial records and ensure compliance with established university policies and procedures; prepare correspondence and answer inquiries regarding accounting information as required.

• Assist with preparation of year-end budget, closing and cost transfer entries, monitors and reports regarding the status of revenues and balances, and/or carryover of surplus funds or pending transactions to the next fiscal year.

Administrative and Human Resource (20%)

• Completes Labor Distribution changes at the direction of faculty to properly record cost on sponsor awards.

• Monitors/reviews/approves effort certification processes including 9/12 conversion, salary caps/restrictions

• Performs payroll reconciliation (Bi-Weekly & Monthly)

• Leads unit functions at the direction of the Business Manager/Sr. Business Manager and serves as substitute as needed.

• Supervise, coordinate duties and training of assigned personnel, where applicable

• Data analysis and reporting as needed for unit/department activities