Financial Specialist: Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering - UTK
University of Tennessee at Martin
$60,000 - $65,000 / year
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Description
Financial Operations, Controls & Compliance (80%)
Analyzes, reconciles, and evaluates the accuracy of general ledgers, accounting details, revenues, expenditures, accounting/budget/financial reports and balances, ensuring appropriate amounts, documentation, expenditure classifications, and compliance with various policies and regulations.
Assists staff, students, and faculty by providing advice, direction, and consultation regarding matters such as financial policies, project budget revisions and reporting requirements.
Prepares and coordinates account budgets to consider budget projections according to established guidelines; assists in preparation and coordination of grant proposals; and monitors, verifies and reconciles grant funds.
Maintains records of Principal Investigator grants/contracts and budget expenditures, informing supervisor and faculty of financial status, including account closures, budget modifications, and overspent accounts.
Prepares cost transfer entries, accounting documents, spreadsheets and databases in the performance of comprehensive fiscal management duties.
Calculate, track, and post entries for scholarships and fellowships for the department. Analyzes, reconciles, and evaluates the accuracy and validity of expenditures, accounting/budget/financial reports and balances, ensuring appropriate amounts, classification, documentation, and compliance with various awards.
Prepare, track, and post entries for department tuition waivers in an accurate and timely manner.
Serves as a liaison with college and university personnel to obtain and provide information to verify or support financial records and ensure compliance with established university policies and procedures; prepare correspondence and answer inquiries regarding accounting information as required.
Assist with preparation of year-end budget, closing and cost transfer entries, monitors and reports regarding the status of revenues and balances, and/or carryover of surplus funds or pending transactions to the next fiscal year.
Administrative and Human Resource (20%)
Completes Labor Distribution changes at the direction of faculty to properly record cost on sponsor awards.
Monitors/reviews/approves effort certification processes including 9/12 conversion, salary caps/restrictions
Performs payroll reconciliation (Bi-Weekly & Monthly)
Leads unit functions at the direction of the Business Manager/Sr. Business Manager and serves as substitute as needed.
Supervise, coordinate duties and training of assigned personnel, where applicable
Data analysis and reporting as needed for unit/department activities
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Education: High School diploma or GED
Experience: 5 years of accounting, business administration, and HR 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.
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:
Associate’s degree with 4+ years of accounting and HR or business management experience
Bachelor's degree with 3-4 years of accounting and HR or business management experience
Experience:
Experience in an academic environment
Financial work history at a comprehensive research university
DASH Oracle experience preferred
Knowledge of UT Policies and Procedures
Knowledge of Uniform Guidance and sponsored projects accounting.
Work Location
Location: Knoxville, TN
Onsite
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
Application Instructions
To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments.
Resume
Cover Letter
About The Department
The Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department is part of the Tickle College of Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. More information can be found at https://tickle.utk.edu/mae/
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
- Resume
- Cover Letter
About this role
Supporting the financial operations of a research engineering department at a major university, this role splits its focus between comprehensive fiscal management and administrative duties. The bulk of the work involves analyzing and reconciling accounts, managing grant budgets and expenditures, processing scholarship and tuition waiver entries, and ensuring compliance with university and sponsor policies. You would serve as a financial advisor to faculty, staff, and students, handle cost transfers and year-end closing procedures, and maintain detailed records of Principal Investigator grants and contracts. The position also includes payroll reconciliation, effort certification oversight, and coordination with university personnel to verify financial records.
This position suits someone with at least five years of accounting or business administration experience who works well independently while managing competing priorities and time-sensitive deadlines. Preferred candidates have academic or research university experience, familiarity with sponsored projects accounting and Uniform Guidance, and knowledge of systems like DASH or Oracle. The role requires strong organizational skills, sound communication abilities, and comfort with Microsoft Office and spreadsheet work. You would report to the Business Manager and may supervise assigned personnel as needed.
The position is full-time and based in Knoxville, with a salary range of $60,000 to $65,000. UT Knoxville emphasizes professional development, work-life balance, and employee support as core values.
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Pay for this role
$60,000 to $65,000 per year
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