Financial Specialist: Tickle College of Engineering - UTK

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.

Responsibilities

Financial Operations, Controls & Compliance (70%)

The position 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. The Financial Specialist reconciles monthly ledgers, corrects discrepancies, helps with year-end close, and prepares labor distribution and effort certification for assigned units. The position also coordinates college-level purchasing, including the annual Computer Upgrade Program, and manages TCE's centralized contracts. It tracks and inventories college assets, oversees cash receipts with the Bursar's Office, and administers sponsored projects alongside Principal Investigators. Throughout, it keeps transactions compliant and ready for audit.

Administrative Process Improvement & Coordination (10%)

The Financial Specialist make daily decisions that affect TCE's financial operations and overall financial standing. The position reviews office procedures and recommends improvements that increase efficiency, accuracy, and compliance with UT policies and new university technologies. It also guides administrative staff on financial practices and drafts financial correspondence to TCE departments in coordination with college administration. As needed, it helps with Planon key and scan access.

Reporting, Analysis & Institutional Data Requests (10%)

This area has the Financial Specialist compile and analyze historical and current financial data to produce reports for stakeholders inside and outside the college. The position spots trends, risks, and areas of concern, raises issues to leadership, and recommends actions that support TCE's financial planning and forecasting.

Payroll Support (10%)

This consists of audits bi-weekly and monthly payroll documents for accuracy and completeness. The position reviews electronic time entry, entering or correcting student worker time as needed and making sure the right pay rates and funding codes are used. It advises departments and staff on time entry and troubleshooting, and reconciles payroll reports under UT policy, giving guidance on any compliance concerns.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Education:

• High school diploma or GED

Experience:

• 6 years of accounting or business management experience.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• 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.

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, Skills, Abilities:

• 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

• Knowledge of Uniform Guidance and sponsored projects accounting

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR09

• Anticipated hiring range: $60,000 - $65,000

• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here

• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Work Location :

• Location: Knoxville, TN
• Hybrid

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments:

• Resume

• Cover Letter

About The College

The Tickle College of Engineering located at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK), invites applications for a full-time Financial Specialist. Additional information regarding the department may be viewed here . UTK is recognized by Forbes magazine as one of America’s best places to work and offers competitive benefits that can be reviewed here : UT Benefits

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!