About this role
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!
The College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) invites applications for a highly motivated Financial Associate to support the financial and administrative operations of one of the university’s fastest-growing and most innovative colleges.
Working independently and reporting directly to the Director of Finance, Administration, and Operations (DFAO), the Financial Associate manages day-to-day financial transactions, maintains accurate financial records, coordinates all travel accommodations and expenditures, and provides administrative support to the Office of Finance, Administration, and Operations.
The Financial Associate plays a critical role in ensuring financial accuracy, compliance, and operational efficiency across the college. This position is ideal for a detail-oriented professional who thrives in a high-accountability role, enjoys problem-solving, and values close collaboration with faculty and staff. The successful candidate will demonstrate sound judgment, initiative, discretion, a commitment to confidentiality and responsive service, and the ability to manage competing priorities on a daily basis.
Financial Transactions
- Process accounts payable, accounts receivable, and procurement and travel card transactions and reconciliations independently in DASH, ensuring all charges are compliant with university policies, correct chart account strings are charged, all purchases and expenses are received and tracked through provided spreadsheets, and workflow is completed.
- Process all reimbursements for faculty and staff.
- Responsible for purchasing and catering orders. Ensure needed approvals are obtained from DFAO prior to any purchasing/ordering.
- Track financial and procurement deadlines to ensure timely completion of transactions and compliance with university requirements.
- Review DASH transactions at department level regularly.
- Monitor office supplies and purchase through Marketplace as items are needed with prior DFAO approval.
Travel
- Serve as an expense delegate and travel assistant for all faculty and staff in DASH.
- Prepare travel requests and accommodations (ex. Flight, Hotel, Car Rental, etc.) in compliance with university policies for faculty, staff, and guest travelers.
- Serve as the main point of contact for all travel, planning, coordination, and reimbursements for contingent workers/guest travelers for the college, ensuring timely guest traveler setup, itineraries, and reimbursements.
- Prepare and process all travel expense reports ensuring the correct account strings are charged prior to submission into workflow and that they are submitted timely.
General Administrative Duties
- Provides excellent customer service and communication to students, faculty, staff, and guests in the college.
- Communicates updates for financial, travel, and purchasing policies to promote college-wide compliance.
- Monitors and maintains shared email accounts and responds to emails for CECS Info and CECS FAO within one business day.
- Organizes and maintains FAO office files including shared e-files and files from SharePoint and CECS OneDrive.
- Assists with room reservations (103, 105).
- Answers the CECS Finance and Administration Phone Line.
- Provides backup support to executive administrative assistant with CECS Reserved Parking Spots.
- Provides backup support to executive administrative assistant, financial associate, and HR associate as needed.
- Other administrative duties assigned as needed.
Required Qualifications
- Education: High School Diploma
- Experience: At least 2 years in a position requiring similar bookkeeping, accounting, financial management, and/or administrative skills.
- Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of financial, bookkeeping, and accounting principles, procedures and systems
- Advanced computer skills including ability to quickly learn new software systems
- Ability to work independently with limited supervision
- Excellent knowledge of Excel
- Excellent written and verbal interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituents in a diverse community
- Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports
- Ability to use tact and discretion when dealing with a variety of issues
- Ability to multitask and prioritize
- Ability to protect and maintain confidential information
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 or Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, or Related Field
- Experience: At least 4 years in a position requiring similar bookkeeping, accounting, financial management, and/or administrative skills.
- Skills & Expertise: Preferred knowledge of higher education practices and UT policies and procedures.
Work Location
- Location: Knoxville, TN, UTK Campus
- Onsite
Compensation and Benefits
- UT market range: MR05
- 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