Financial Associate: College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies - UTK

University of Tennessee•Knoxville, TN

22h•$48,000 - $58,000•Onsite

About The Position

The College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville is seeking a Financial Associate II to join its Finance, Administration, and Operations team. This role is crucial for supporting the college's rapid growth, innovative academic programs, and collaborative initiatives. The Financial Associate II will provide comprehensive support in financial management, procurement, technology, grants, and administrative operations, working with a high degree of independence. Key responsibilities include managing daily financial activities such as procurement, accounts payable/receivable, general ledger reconciliation, budget and expense tracking, grant expenditure tracking, and financial reporting, all while ensuring accuracy, compliance, and financial stewardship. The position also involves coordinating college-wide technology procurement and resource management, maintaining accurate records for financial, equipment, inventory, and space, and providing timely reports for decision-making. As part of a collaborative team, the Financial Associate II will also offer backup support for human resources functions, including payroll processing and onboarding, to ensure operational continuity. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment, demonstrating a proactive, solutions-oriented approach, the ability to work independently, anticipate needs, manage competing priorities, analyze financial information, exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, solve problems, and identify process improvements.

Requirements

Experience in financial management, procurement, and administrative operations.
Ability to work with a high degree of independence.
Proficiency in managing day-to-day financial activities.
Skills in budget and expense tracking.
Experience in grant expenditure tracking and financial reporting.
Ability to ensure accuracy, compliance, and financial stewardship.
Experience in coordinating technology procurement and resource management.
Ability to maintain accurate financial, equipment, inventory, and space records.
Skills in providing timely information and reporting for decision-making.
Ability to provide backup support for human resources functions.
Proactive, solutions-oriented approach.
Ability to work independently.
Ability to anticipate needs.
Ability to manage competing priorities.
Ability to analyze financial information.
Sound judgment.
Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.
Problem-solving skills.
Ability to identify opportunities to improve processes and efficiency.

Responsibilities

Manage day-to-day financial activities, including procurement, accounts payable and receivable, general ledger reconciliation, budget and expense tracking, grant expenditure tracking, and financial reporting.
Ensure accuracy, compliance, and strong financial stewardship in all financial activities.
Coordinate college-wide technology procurement and resource management.
Partner with the CECS IT Technician to support equipment inventory, software licensing, and asset management.
Maintain accurate financial, equipment, inventory, and space records.
Provide timely information and reporting to support resource allocation, operational planning, and informed decision-making.
Provide backup support for human resources and other operational functions, including payroll processing and onboarding activities.
Ensure continuity of college operations through effective support of administrative needs.