Research Accountant 1 - Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development - UTK

University of Tennessee•Knoxville, TN

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Research Accountant 1 serves as an Accountant Level I in the Division of Research Administration (DRA), part of the Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. DRA provides post-award financial administrative services to the research community. Accountants manage sponsored-project finances, review financial compliance, submit reports, provide guidance to university stakeholders, liaise with sponsors, and support accounts-receivable collections. The department reported and collected $468 million in sponsored-project and agency expenditures in FY2023. This is a fast-paced, high-volume role requiring management of competing deadlines, independent judgment, and application of University fiscal policy, federal regulations, and sponsor terms and conditions. The Accountant Level I performs financial tasks with minimal supervision and substantial accountability, including drawing conclusions on financial and compliance matters. The position provides service to faculty, staff, administrators, and sponsors on sponsored-fund management, compliance risk mitigation, research-administration systems, and sponsored-account management. It is part of DRA's career path, which progresses from Accountant Level I to Accountant Level II, Accountant Level III, and Manager. The position is hybrid. The employee is expected to live within a commutable distance of Knoxville and report in person occasionally.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or a bachelor’s degree in a business-related field.
Three years of accounting-related work experience.
At least six hours of accredited college accounting courses.
Effective communication, active listening, and ability to work with diverse stakeholders.
Ability to prioritize and manage many complex projects and changing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Strong attention to detail, organization, and problem-solving skills.
Flexibility, sound judgment, and a collaborative approach that encourages teamwork.
Commitment to excellent customer service and quality.
Analytical, quantitative, creative, and strategic thinking, including ability to work with ambiguity.
Independent thinking and professional skepticism.
Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues toward shared goals.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office.
Legal authorization to work full-time in the United States without current or future need for employment-based visa sponsorship.
Must live in Knoxville or within a commutable distance and be able to report in person occasionally.

Nice To Haves

Certified Research Administrator or Certified Public Accountant credential.
Experience working with grants and contracts in a university setting.
Knowledge of research-administration issues, financial management, and the interpretation and communication of laws and regulations related to research operations, policies, and procedures.
Knowledge of UT fiscal, human resource, and research policies.
Knowledge of Uniform Guidance, Federal Acquisition Regulations, and granting-agency requirements.
Experience with Oracle Cloud, Cayuse, and Power BI.

Responsibilities

Provide guidance and oversight to researchers, business managers, budget directors, and other university departments on sponsored-fund financial management.
Interpret and apply fiscal regulations and guidelines to meet federal, state, university, and private-sponsor requirements for financial reporting.
Evaluate cost allowability and allocability under federal regulations, sponsor terms, fiscal policies, and applicable guidelines.
Analyze and resolve financial-compliance problems.
Review sponsors’ financial terms and conditions, budgets and justifications, and award reporting requirements.
Monitor sponsor budgets, cost share, subawards, guidelines, and expenses for allowability and compliance.
Manage competing deadlines to meet contractual requirements and reduce the university’s financial liability.
Use secure sponsor systems for financial reporting, letter-of-credit draws, and reimbursement requests.
Monitor accounts receivable to support university cash flow and recommend referring delinquent accounts to UT Legal Counsel.
Prepare quarterly, semiannual, and annual reports for federal agencies and sponsors.
Review fund balances annually and classify revenues for university financial statements.
Prepare and maintain closeout reports, financial documentation, Schedules of Final Charges, and supporting work papers in accordance with university policy and sponsor guidelines.
Conduct and monitor compliance activities and apply fiscal policies and sponsor requirements to mitigate audit-related financial liability.
Analyze expenditure documentation for allowability, allocability, and consistent application.
Interpret and enforce award terms and conditions for financial compliance.
Monitor salary-cap restrictions, effort-certification timeliness, and potentially high-risk expenditures; guide departments on corrective actions.
Review cost-share expenditures, including third-party and in-kind contributions, for compliance.
Participate in and assist with internal and external audit matters.
Monitor limitations-of-funds requirements and advise university stakeholders when to contact sponsors for additional funding.
Stay current on federal, state, and university research regulations through research and other methods, including conferences.
Provide service and assistance to faculty, staff, administrators, and sponsors on sponsored-fund management, compliance risks, research-administration tools, and sponsored accounts; identify and help resolve complex matters.
Coordinate with departments, Principal Investigators, the Controller’s Office, the Treasurer’s Office, General Counsel, and DRA Proposal and Awards teams to complete closeout documents accurately, promptly, and compliantly.
Serve as a liaison with sponsoring agencies on fiscal and administrative matters.
Assist with training materials and workshops for Principal Investigators, Business Managers, and departmental staff.
Test and implement digital processes for research projects to support DRA and university goals, including environmental consciousness and cost efficiency.
Contribute to streamlining operations, automating processes, formalizing procedures, improving customer service, and meeting departmental goals.
Mentor newly hired accountants and support their professional development.
Collaborate on internal training materials.