Financial Assurance Manager - Office of Research, Innovation & Economic Development - UTK

University of Tennessee•Knoxville, TN

13h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of Research, Innovation & Economic Development at UTK is seeking a Financial Assurance Manager to ensure financial compliance with university fiscal policies and requirements established by Federal, state, and local governments, as well as private entities in relation to sponsored projects. This role is critical as Sponsored Projects Accounting is a high-risk area for compliance, managing an average of 2200 WBS elements with expenditures totaling $297M in FY2020. The manager will work with the Director and university officials to keep policies and procedures current, monitor departmental compliance to mitigate risk, identify vulnerabilities, and develop corrective action plans. The position also involves developing and instructing compliance training programs for UTK and managing two compliance officers.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree
Six years of Sponsored Projects Accounting (Grants & Contract) experience OR eight years of related work experience with background in accounting, auditing, risk assessment or regulatory compliance.
Experience with computer systems, including spreadsheet software (such as MS Office).
Three years prior supervisory oversight of personnel.
Knowledge of research administration issues including financial management and the ability to interpret and communicate federal, state, and local laws and regulations relevant to research administration operations, policies, and procedures.
Knowledge of Uniform Guidance, Federal Acquisition Regulations, and granting agency requirements.
Ability to communicate effectively, including active listening skills, plus the ability to work with a diverse group of faculty, staff, administrators, and other stakeholders.
Ability to be detail-oriented with strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
Ability to be flexible, have sound judgment with an open and collaborative style of leadership that encourages teamwork and cooperation.
Ability to provide excellent customer service with a commitment to exceptional quality.
Ability to be an independent analytically, quantitatively, creatively, and strategically thinker with skepticism.
Ability to be a team player who works well collectively and collaboratively with colleagues to achieve common goals.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office.
Ability to use judgment skills in determining compliance and the knowledge to implement processes to mitigate risk.
Ability to develop and conduct training.
Supervisory skills to be a role model, lead, coach and professionally develop staff.
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.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree, Certified Research Administrator or Certified Professional Accountant
SAP experience
Experience in higher education administration with knowledge of federal cost accounting principles
Knowledge of UT fiscal, human resource, and research policies
Knowledge of IRIS and Cayuse

Responsibilities

Research, develop and implement financial compliance monitoring program for the Knoxville campus sponsored projects.
Research compliance programs at other institutions and Federal agencies to gather ideas for developing monitoring platforms.
Keep current of federal regulations financial compliance.
Collaborate with IRIS team in developing reports and programming changes to improve compliance.
Develop, initiate, maintain, and recommend revisions to policies and procedures for general operation to mitigate risk associated with non-compliance.
Manage outside sponsor audit requests for UTK, delegating routine requests or working directly with departments for complex requests.
Develop and facilitate departmental financial compliance reviews.
Review departmental internal control processes to identify risk of non-compliance regarding sponsored projects and recommend changes to mitigate risks.
Develop monthly and quarterly compliance monitoring processes.
On-board and train new team members.
Lead a team of two compliance officers, fostering teamwork and developing talented, service-oriented professionals.
Conduct performance appraisals for compliance officers to evaluate staff and guide professional development.
Develop performance improvement plans when necessary, and manage other varied HR-related issues.
Develop cross-training opportunities to ensure critical tasks are covered.
Communicate priorities and procedures to team members, providing feedback and monitoring relative to team goals.
Provide oversight and complex decision-making to staff as they evaluate allowability of costs.
Assist in the development of departmental and individual goals.
Develop and facilitate training modules for Department Heads, Principal Investigators and financial staff working with sponsored projects for on-line and in classroom settings.
Develop, conduct, and track financial compliance training for the Division of Research Administration.
Outreach to faculty and staff.
Notify campus of changes to fiscal policy and federal regulations that impact sponsored projects via newsletters, meetings, and email communications.
Send official notifications when financial compliance violations occur.
Represent the Division of Research Administration in various meetings or committees.
Serve as initial contact for audit requests from external auditors for UTK.