Reporting to the Director of Accounting and Financial Compliance, the Financial Specialist II serves as a campus cost-accounting and compliance resource with an emphasis on higher education rate proposal support, restricted/state-funded program accounting, clearing and match funding reconciliations, and year-end close readiness. The position supports the Facilities Space Survey and contributes to development of the campus Facilities & Administrative (F&A) Rate Proposal by analyzing and classifying expenditures in accordance with applicable cost principles.
This role also establishes and maintains funds and accounts and supports accurate financial reporting and compliance with GAAP, GASB, OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), UT fiscal policies, and relevant NACUBO guidance.
- Cost accounting and rate proposal support (F&A): Support preparation of the F&A rate proposal through analysis, reconciliation, and classification of research expenditures across functions and cost pools; assist with documentation needed for internal review and external audit/negotiation support.
- Facilities Space Survey support: Assist with the annual space survey (verification and coordination for 22,000+ rooms), including validation, documentation, and support to departments to improve accuracy and audit readiness.
- Restricted and unique state funding programs: Provide accounting oversight for restricted state appropriations and related research programs which may involve complex funding structures and shared appointments.
- Fund and account establishment / stewardship: Establish new funds and related accounting structure for complex programs; approve budgets, monitor expenditures, support allowable budget redistributions, and provide reporting to stakeholders.
- Clearing and matching fund reconciliations: Monitor and support reconciliation of sponsored project matching clearing fund, including training and coordination with departments to prepare entries needed to clear balances after each month end close; ensure compliance with the requirement that the fund is zero by fiscal year-end.
- Joint Faculty Program support: Support departments participating in a national laboratory Joint Faculty research program, including fringe rate updates, invoice issue resolution, and monitoring unpaid items; complete the annual independent financial statement audit procedures for non-sponsored outstanding invoices, as assigned.
- System internal grant funding support: Provide central financial support for System Administration internal funding programs, including budget updates/extensions, year-end funding requests, and distribution support to College Reserve funds.
- Financial compliance and year-end close: Coordinate and/or perform year-end activities for assigned programs and funds, including:
- reviewing budgets and expenditures for allowability and compliance;
- processing corrections and budget updates;
- monitoring and resolving non-sponsored deficits;
- processing funding entries to align revenues and expenditures;
- coordinating advances for continuation funds, as needed; and
- recording receivable/payable entries for assigned programs.
Required Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
- Experience: Minimum 5 years of professional accounting/finance experience, including at least 2 years in higher education, with demonstrated work in cost accounting, restricted funds, compliance, and/or research financial operations.
- Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Proficiency with financial ERP general ledger software such as Oracle or comparable and strong Microsoft Office skills (especially Excel).
- Demonstrated ability to analyze and reconcile complex financial data and explain results clearly.
- Knowledge of fund accounting and cost principles, including GAAP, GASB, and OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200).
- Strong planning, organization, judgment, and follow-through in deadline-driven environments.
- Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively with campus stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing priorities simultaneously and effectively.
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
- Experience supporting higher education rate proposals (e.g., F&A/indirect cost proposals), space surveys, or other cost allocation methodologies.
- Experience with complex research environments (research centers/institutes, national laboratory partnerships).
- Advanced Excel skills (e.g., PivotTables).
Application Information
UTK seeks candidates who can contribute in meaningful ways to the diversity and intercultural goals of the University. Applicants should submit a letter of application, professional resume, and contact information for three or more references.
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.
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