Accounting Specialist, Social Work Office of Research and Public Service - UTK

University of Tennessee•Knoxville, TN

10d•Onsite

About The Position

This is an accounting position for TCSEPP project which is a $5M state funded grant and undergoing an unprecedented expansion across the entire state expected to grow to $25M over 5 years. This position will cover the East TN region and serve as the accounting specialist among the East regions, being the subject matter expert in certain areas and will implement new procedures/policies in these regions. This position will be responsible for managing petty cash funds at banks across the state. This position will help set standard procedural steps, constantly guiding a large remote group of program staff along the right path to ensure efficient financial processing and compliance. This position will also be vitally important in implementing a novel University of Tennessee System process for purchasing and reconciling individual assistance costs that total in the millions among other financial processing tasks. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued funding of the grant.

Requirements

Associate degree or 2 years of progressively responsible accounting and administrative experience
Knowledge of basic accounting principles (GAAP).
Excellent communication, customer service and organizational skills.
Ability to multi-task and work independently
Ability to prioritize a heavy work load.
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

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration or related field
Experience in academic environment
Knowledge of UT fiscal policies and procedures

Responsibilities

Financial Tasks: Process petty cash reimbursements ensuring supporting documentation, compliance and accurate accounting codes.
Processes vendor setup for new vendors
Process invoices ensuring supporting documentation, compliance and accurate accounting codes.
Performs monthly procurement card reconciliations ensuring supporting documentation (i.e. summary page, approved order request form & receipt) is attached and account/GL codes are accurate.
Ordering & delivery of supplies.
Processes internal transfers.
Complete prior approval entertainment requests.
Support individual assistance cost submissions including receipts, summary page, assessing allowability and ensuring appropriate account coding.
On boarding new accounting and program staff in the process.
Contract Management Tasks: Creates contracts and non-compete justifications for purchases as requested by PIs.
Compares requests to approved budgets for grants and contracts and recommends appropriate action to PI's for compliance.
Resolve traveler compliance and software questions.
Requests vendor numbers and completes application setup requirements including completion and review of the worker's classification questionnaire.
Ensures all information, terms and conditions and pricing are included and properly approved prior to submission to the Treasurer's Office, including related contract amendments.
Provides related guidance to associates performing purchasing tasks.
Travel & Gift Cards: Provides standard guidance for travel requests and expense reports.
Resolves traveler compliance and software questions.
Trains all new project hires on travel policies, procedures and software.
Processes gift card request for approval.
Purchasing requisitions for gift card requests.
Purchasing gift cards.
Other Financial Support: Assists with sourcing including researching registered vendors, historical purchases, products and pricing.
Maintains financial documents according to business office procedures.
Documents procedures with flow charts, checklists, how-to guides, procedures etc. for cross training to ensure continuity.
Participates in the continuation of developing systems to expand across the state.
Performs other duties as assigned.