Senior Financial Associate, Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science - UTIA

About the role

The Department of Biosystems Engineering & Soil Science (BESS) at the University of Tennessee is seeking a Senior Financial Associate to provide support to the Business Manager in managing the department’s daily fiscal, human resources, and data management responsibilities and operations.

Responsibilities

• Sponsored Projects Accounting & Management:
  • Support Extension and Research Faculty in the management of their sponsored projects.
  • Ensure compliance with department, institution, and sponsored guidelines.
  • Track sponsored projects funding periods.
  • Analyze grant expenditures for accuracy and compliance.
  • Determine and process necessary corrective actions.
  • Compile and prepare financial data and reports.
  • Prepare No Cost Time Extension, Rebudgets, Change of PI, and Advanced Account requests.
  • Maintain financial reports and cost share requirements.
  • Organize proposal/award information.
  • Provide backup documentation for financial transactions.
  • Enter subaward contracts.
  • Monitor subrecipient expenditures.
  • Review and implement retention policies.
  • Forecast salary needs and recommend actions.
  • Represent the Department at budget meetings.
  • Manage departmental program funding.
  • Monitor and track balances of internal funding.
  • Manage student study abroad trips and travel awards.
  • Manage program-specific student clubs and organizations.
  • Support planning and implementation of department-sponsored events.
  • Provide support to new personnel through tailored training.
• Accounting & Finance:
  • Ensure the accuracy and integrity of all financial matters.
  • Conduct monthly reconciliations of accounts.
  • Analyze expenditures for accuracy and compliance.
  • Review and approve expense reports.
  • Manage departmental program funding through gift accounts and course income.
  • Monitor and track balances of internal funding.
  • Ensure tuition and course fees are accurately accounted for.
  • Provide financial support and guidance to planning and implementation of student study abroad trips.
  • Manage billing and receiving for Department Recharge and Fee for Service Centers.
• Procurement & Expense Reporting:
  • Support procurement and travel activities.
  • Verify accuracy of purchase requisitions.
  • Collect and distribute appropriate receipts.
  • Verify allowability of purchases.
  • Aid faculty and staff with purchasing needs.
  • Reconcile and process procurement card and travel card transactions.
• Other Financial and Administrative Duties:
  • Participate in cross-training for various critical function roles.
  • Review retention policies for accurate disposal of sponsored financial information.
  • Develop, monitor, and update training tools.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or GED with 5+ years of relevant work experience, or Associates Degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, Office Administration, or related field with 2+ years of relevant work experience, or Bachelor’s degree in any field with 1+ years of relevant work experience, or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, Office Administration, or related field.
• Experience: 5+ years of relevant work experience with HS Diploma or GED, 2+ years of relevant work experience with an Associates Degree, 1+ year of relevant work experience with any bachelor’s degree.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Basic to moderate understanding of MS Office and related applications, professional integrity, communication and interpersonal skills, organizational skills, writing, grammar, and proofreading skills, problem-solving abilities, and customer service skills.
• Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, Office Administration, or related field, 4+ years of progressively responsible and relevant work experience, knowledge of standard accounting principles, extensive writing, grammar, and proofreading skills, decisiveness, extensive problem-solving skills, knowledge of UT Policies, familiarity with CAYUSE, CONCUR, ARGOS, BANNER, and related systems/software, ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects to meet required timelines, and professional ability to communicate effectively both in-person and in writing.