Financial Associate - Nutrition and Public Health Sciences - UTK

The purpose of this position is to assist the Department Head and Business Manager in overseeing the fiscal compliance and data management responsibilities in the department of Nutrition and Public Health Sciences. This includes financial accounting and financial analysis, reporting, and compliance. This position will provide direction and assistance to principal investigators (PIs), faculty, staff and students for fiscal compliance with Uniform Guidance and UT policy.

The position processes guest travel (in-state, out-of-state and international travel), orders supplies, reconciles procurement card statements. It also requires implementation and comprehensive knowledge of, and ability to interpret and analyze college and university policies, federal and state guidelines, rules and regulations relating to accounting, purchasing, travel expense reporting and record maintenance.

Financial

• Serves as subject matter expert for the department, provides guidance and expertise to staff and faculty on financial matters.

-Reconcile monthly financial ledgers for assigned accounts including state appropriated accounts, start-up accounts, seed accounts, endowed and non-endowed gift accounts, income accounts, and research accounts

• Researches and provides solutions to resolve accounting and payroll issues related to distribution accounts.

-Interpret data for preparation, analysis, and submission of reports providing estimates, projections, department's status and spending recommendations to the Business Manager

• Process invoices and procurement card purchases: verify goods or services were received, charges are accurate, and appropriate account/G/L codes are assigned
• Reviews and assesses change requests for accounts; resolves problems; closes accounts as necessary under supervision of the Business manager.
• Order office supplies and research new deals and suppliers.
• Reconcile and process purchases made with procurement cards; compile required documentation and audit receipts; assign to appropriate account and G/L codes.
• Prepare cash/check deposits as necessary.
• Compile and submit contracts for review and approval.
• Purchase supplies as needed; assist faculty, staff and students with purchases and ensure we have necessary documentation.
• Assist business manager and department head with budget planning and forecasting as well as strategic planning for the department.

-Review DASH transactions at department level when necessary

• Assist business manager with payroll reconciliations and fee waiver management, and assist on employee reimbursements.

TRAVEL SUPPORT

-Maintains and manages individual travel budgets for all faculty, staff, and students who are eligible to travel throughout the fiscal year.

• Implementing and interpreting accounting and travel policy and procedures.

• -Creates and submits travel requests and travel expense reports.
• -Advises Department Head on travel funding used, to aid in decision making process for use of additional funds outside of the allotted budget.
• -Coordinates travel for all guest travelers (search candidates, guest speakers, etc.)
• -Processes various travel reports to ensure all reimbursements are processed and received
• -Assist traveler with any problems throughout the process
• -Implements departmental travel procedures, submits requests to the college for travel funding assistance.
• -Leads and maintains Travel Credit Card trainings and requests
• -Assist faculty, staff, and students with policies, procedures, and form completion throughout the travel process.
• -Researches reasonably priced airline tickets and hotels for the department head and the department’s guests (interview candidates, guest speakers, etc.)

INTERNAL/EXTERNAL PROJECT SUPPORT

-Assists Business Manager with reconciling ledgers related to department F&A, start-up, gift and endowment and grants and contracts and maintain status of expenditures on sponsored research projects when appropriate.

• In collaboration with business manager, monitors faculty start up budgets.
• Collect and retain documentation for department events, this could include food and/or supplies and reconcile to ledgers
• Coordinate purchases with other departments as needed
• Initiate and create asset records for equipment inventory and prepare and submit annual space and equipment inventory.
• Create subcontracts, MOU (Memo of Understanding), special payments for independent contractors for sponsored accounting projects as needed.
• Manages gift card inventory; provides reports to Business Manager to ensure award compliance

GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

-Ability to provide excellent customer service and communicate effectively

-Provides general administrative support to Department as necessary.

• Assistance and serve as backup to the Business Manager and other administrative staff to promote a team effort to cover all duties, and situations that may arise in the department.

-Other duties as assigned.

-Acts as front desk receptionist as needed.

Required Qualifications

Education: Associates Degree in Accounting or Related Field

Experience: At least two years of office experience in a position that requires accounting skills.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Knowledge and mastery of standard accounting principles (GAAP)
• Proficiency with common office and database software
• Effective organizational, prioritization, and problem-solving skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, and ability to communicate with multiple audiences
• Ability to work independently and works well collectively and collaboratively with colleagues to achieve common goals.
• Ability to adapt to changes that might occur in the office environment, and be able to work with deadlines
• Ability to expand knowledge in needed areas such as learning new software programs
• Proficient with spreadsheets and ability to compile data and generate reports
• Ability to take initiative
• 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: Bachelors Degree

Experience

2-3 years in University of Tennessee system.

2-3 years working within University of Tennessee with externally funded grants including monitoring accounts for compliance, assisting with budget preparation and reconciliation.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Knowledge of IRIS, Knowledge of DASH Adobe Acrobat Professional, Banner, Argos, Admit, AdAstra, Marketplace
• Knowledge of UT fiscal and human resources policies
• Knowledge of Uniform Guidance
• Knowledge of research administration including financial management and ability to interpret and communicate federal, state and local laws and regulations relevant to research administration operations, policies and procedures.

Work Location

Location: Knoxville, TN

Onsite, Hybrid, or Remote – Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

UT market range: MR06

Anticipated hiring range

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. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted.

Resume

Cover Letter

About The College/Department/Division

The Department of Nutrition and Public Health Sciences supports teaching, research, and outreach initiatives that promote population health and well‑being. The department is committed to operational excellence, fiscal integrity, and collaborative support of faculty, staff, and students.