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

University of Tennessee•Knoxville, TN

1d•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. DRA provides post-award financial administrative services to the research community. The position manages sponsored-project and agency-fund finances, supports financial compliance and reporting, provides fiscal guidance to university personnel, serves as a financial contact for external sponsors, and assists with accounts receivable collections. The work involves a fast-paced, high-volume environment with multiple deadlines and requires sound judgment, independent decision-making, and application of university fiscal policy, federal regulations, and sponsor terms and conditions. The role performs financial tasks with minimal supervision and substantial latitude, including drawing conclusions on financial and compliance matters and managing accounts for numerous sponsors. Research Accountants provide service to faculty, staff, administrators, and sponsors on sponsored-fund management, compliance risks, research administration systems, and sponsored accounts. The position is part of a DRA career path progressing from Accountant Level I to Accountant Level II, Accountant Level III, and Manager. It is hybrid, with occasional in-person reporting requirements; applicants must live in Knoxville or within a commutable distance. The position’s work includes post-award financial administration and compliance, such as reviewing expenditures and budgets, interpreting sponsor and regulatory requirements, preparing and closing out financial reports, monitoring receivables and deadlines, and supporting audits. It also collaborates with university departments and offices, sponsors, and DRA teams, and contributes to internal process improvements, training, and mentoring.

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.
Ability to communicate effectively, actively listen, and work with a diverse group of faculty, staff, administrators, and other stakeholders.
Ability to prioritize and manage a high volume of complex projects simultaneously, meet constant deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Detail orientation and strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
Flexibility, sound judgment, and an open, collaborative working style that encourages teamwork and cooperation.
Ability to provide excellent customer service with a commitment to exceptional quality.
Analytical, quantitative, creative, and strategic thinking skills, including the ability to work with ambiguity.
Ability to think independently and exercise professional skepticism.
Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues toward common goals.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States full-time without requiring employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

Certified Research Administrator or Certified Public Accountant.
Experience working with grants and contracts in a university setting.
Knowledge of research administration matters, including financial management and interpreting and communicating federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to research administration 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 PowerBI.

Responsibilities

Provide guidance and oversight to researchers, business managers, budget directors, and other university department personnel on fiscal management of sponsored funds.
Interpret and apply federal, state, university, and private sponsor fiscal regulations and guidelines for financial reporting.
Evaluate whether costs are allowable and allocable under applicable regulations, sponsor terms, and fiscal policies.
Analyze and resolve financial compliance problems.
Evaluate sponsors’ financial terms and conditions, budgets and justifications, and award financial reporting requirements.
Monitor sponsor budgets, cost share, subawards, guidelines, and expenses for allowability and compliance.
Manage competing deadlines to meet contractual requirements and prevent financial liability to the university.
Use secure federal, state, and private sponsor web systems for financial reporting, letter-of-credit draws, and reimbursement requests.
Monitor accounts receivable to support university cash flow and recommend delinquent accounts for referral to UT Legal Counsel.
Prepare quarterly, semiannual, and annual reports for agencies and sponsors as required.
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, including adjustments, reconciliations, justifications, cost share, and program income.
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, timely effort certification, and potentially high-risk expenditures, and direct departments on corrective actions.
Review cost-share expenditures, including third-party and in-kind contributions, for sponsor compliance.
Participate in and assist with internal and external audit matters.
Monitor limitation-of-funds requirements and advise university personnel when sponsors should be contacted for additional funding.
Stay current on federal, state, and university research regulations through research and other learning activities, including conferences.
Provide service and assistance to faculty, staff, administrators, and sponsors on sponsored-fund management, compliance risks, research administration tools, and sponsored accounts; proactively identify complex matters and work toward solutions.
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 preparing training materials and organizing workshops for Principal Investigators, business managers, and departmental staff.
Test and implement digital processes for research projects to support DRA’s operational goals and environmental 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.