Finance Specialist - Student Life Finance and Administration - UTK

University Of Tennessee College
University Of Tennessee College

Accounting & Finance

Knoxville, TN, USA

USD 41k-45k / year

Posted on Sep 1, 2026

This position oversees the day-to-day accounting activities for assigned Student Life departments, ensuring accurate account management, reconciliations, purchasing, invoice payments, deposits, and assist with financial reporting. The role also provides financial guidance and support to departmental staff while assisting with payroll, travel reimbursements, procurement, office supplies, and other administrative needs to ensure smooth and effective department operations.


The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!

Student Life Finance and Administration is seeking a Finance Specialist to provide day-to-day accounting support for assigned Student Life departments, ensure accurate account management, reconciliations, purchasing, invoice payments, deposits, and assist with financial reporting. Advises departmental staff on financial processes and supports payroll, travel, procurement, and other administrative functions to promote efficient and effective operations.

Required Qualifications

  • Education: High School diploma or GED
  • Experience: 3 years of accounting/bookkeeping or other financial related experience or associates degree and 1 year of accounting/bookkeeping or other financial related experience; Bachelor's degree may substitute for experience requirement.
  • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Knowledge of accounting and computer-based accounting software; Ability to work independently without close supervision; Ability to set own objectives; Ability to be flexible and meet deadlines; Strong organizational, listening, interpersonal, and communication skills; Ability to manage multiple assignments concurrently; Ability to use electronic financial management system

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 or Bachelor’s degree
  • Experience: 4 years of accounting/bookkeeping experience or associate degree and 2 years of accounting/bookkeeping experience; Experience in a higher education environment; Experience with medical billing; Knowledge of CPT codes.

Work Location

  • Location: Knoxville, TN
  • Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

  • UT market range: MR06
  • Anticipated hiring range: $41,000-$45,000 and is commensurate with education and experience
  • 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. A review of all applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

  • Resume
  • Cover Letter
  • List of 3 Professional References (with current email address and phone number)

About The College/Department/Division

The Division of Student Life is comprised of an outstanding group of professionals who create student-centered opportunities that contribute to a transformative Volunteer Experience. These opportunities allow students to grow their skills and knowledge outside of the classroom. From health and wellness to service and engagement, we provide opportunities where students exemplify the Volunteer Spirit, inspiring others to learn, lead, and serve.

Our departments provide essential services that support student success and future growth, fostering engagement, leadership, and wellness while enhancing belonging. Together, they create transformative experiences that help students achieve both academic and personal goals.


  • Maintain and reconcile expense, revenue, and restricted accounts for various departments

  • Identify, research, review, and resolve accounts payable and receivable discrepancies

  • Prepare, process, and track petty cash reimbursements, purchase requisitions, inter- department transfers, invoice payments, and deposits

  • Provide guidance on allowable expenditures

  • Identify and resolve processing issues

  • Verify procurement card statements

  • Initiate vendor requests through PaymentWorks

  • Add and remove holds on student accounts

  • Prepare and track receivable invoices

  • Provide assistance and direction to other financial support staff within Division of Student Life departments/areas

  • Assist monthly reconciliations (deposits, ledgers, etc.).

  • Assist in the preparation of financial reports for assigned departments and make budget projections/recommendations based on data

  • Answer inquiries regarding financial matters

  • Serve as back for office supplies ordering for designated departments

  • Create, submit, edit, and track travel requests and reimbursements for professional staff as needed