Financial Specialist: Tickle College of Engineering - UTK

University of Tennessee•Knoxville, TN

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Financial Specialist works closely with the Director of Financial Services to oversee and administer fiscal operations, facilities-related financial activity, and asset management for the Tickle College of Engineering (TCE). This role serves as a primary financial resource for TCE departments and college-level units, providing guidance and transaction support across purchasing, contracts, receivables, cash handling, payroll coordination, and sponsored project administration. The position has significant impact on the college’s financial integrity and strategic decision-making by ensuring compliance with applicable federal/state regulations and UT policies, supporting faculty and staff with account management and reporting, and producing analyses used for financial planning and forecasting. The role also supports data integrity for departmental transactions and manages assets and purchasing activity for TCE administrative units.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED
6 years of accounting or business management experience.
Advanced knowledge of accounting policies and procedures.
Excellent communication, customer service and organization skills.
Ability to work independently and prioritize a heavy workload.
Ability to interpret data requests and provide accurate reports.
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.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related business area or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training with 2 years of accounting/business management experience.
Financial work history at a comprehensive research university
Oracle experience preferred
Knowledge of UT policies and procedures.
Knowledge of Uniform Guidance and sponsored projects accounting.
Knowledge of State and federal contract and grant financial requirements
Working knowledge of UT fiscal and HR policies and procedures
Knowledge of financial / personnel management applications such as Oracle
Knowledge of personnel maintenance processes including hiring, I-9 e-verification, and USCIS (visa) processes

Responsibilities

Acts as the college's go-to resource for day-to-day financial operations: contracts, purchasing, payables and receivables, cash handling, travel, procurement cards, sales tax, labor distribution, and effort certification.
Reconciles monthly ledgers, corrects discrepancies, helps with year-end close, and prepares labor distribution and effort certification for assigned units.
Coordinates college-level purchasing, including the annual Computer Upgrade Program, and manages TCE's centralized contracts.
Tracks and inventories college assets, oversees cash receipts with the Bursar's Office, and administers sponsored projects alongside Principal Investigators.
Reviews office procedures and recommends improvements that increase efficiency, accuracy, and compliance with UT policies and new university technologies.
Guides administrative staff on financial practices and drafts financial correspondence to TCE departments in coordination with college administration.
Compiles and analyzes historical and current financial data to produce reports for stakeholders inside and outside the college.
Spots trends, risks, and areas of concern, raises issues to leadership, and recommends actions that support TCE's financial planning and forecasting.
Audits bi-weekly and monthly payroll documents for accuracy and completeness.
Reviews electronic time entry, entering or correcting student worker time as needed and making sure the right pay rates and funding codes are used.
Advises departments and staff on time entry and troubleshooting, and reconciles payroll reports under UT policy, giving guidance on any compliance concerns.