Job Description

This position performs financial reporting, budget preparations, analysis and projections, audit/reconciliation and grant and contract work for the Center of Learning, Education, & Employment. This position serves as the primary back-up to the Business Financial Manager and must be able to learn and execute primary department budgets, reconciliation, procurement, accounts payable/receivable, general accounting tasks. Tasks vary in terms of complexity and require problem-solving and critical thinking skills to complete assignments. Work involves coordinating, collaborating, and/or training others. Work is performed under general supervision and the individual is expected to prioritize work based on the CLEE department strategic plan that outlines the department's objectives and goals.

The target start date for this position is December 1, 2026, with flexibility based on the right candidate's availability.

Budget and Reconciliation

• Provides financial support for the CLEE Department that includes monitoring and reconciling revenue, disbursements, expenditures, and other financial related activity. Also performs contract management.
• Collaborates with the Financial Business Manager to prepare periodic budgets, financial statements, and year-end closeout.
• Collects payments and verifies billing information.
• Prepares regular and special budget reports
• Summarize budgets and submits recommendations for the approval or disapproval of funds requests
• Analyzes budgetary or accounting data, prepares monthly department budget and accounting reports and reconciles them with program leaders to maintain expenditure controls.
• Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations.
• Responsible for department p-card use and reconciliation. Maintains all p-card receipts and completes the monthly verification report.
• Tracks and maintains data in spreadsheets that detail department metrics for compliance services and billing.
• Creates monthly, quarterly, and annual reports detailing services provided by department to sponsors.
• Enters invoices or fund transfers into DASH and maintains documentation. Assesses, creates, and enters transfer vouchers in DASH.
• Provides budget and/or accounting related recommendations to supervisor and/or CLEE management for decision-making process.
• Performs tasks related to transitions to new or modified budget processes.
• Provides scanned documentation for billing/auditing as requested- often on a monthly basis for some sponsors.

General Accounting Tasks

• Maintains financial records in support of accounting activities.
• Performs financial tasks such as preparing, examining, coding, and processing forms, vouchers, and letters.
• Provides advice and technical assistance to the PIs with cost analysis, fiscal allocation, and services development and updates.
• Advises on financial matters/procedures.
• Recommends and supports the implementation of new or modified financial procedures.
• Ensures accurate account of fixed assets and inventory is maintained.
• Compiles financial records in preparation for audits and external reviews/inquiries
• Makes recommendations to create and change office-level procedures primarily associated with duties and functions.

Procurement

• Reviews invoices, requisitions, and purchase orders for accuracy of information; researches and works with appropriate CLEE contract representative to resolve discrepancies.
• Processes, audits, and enters invoices, requisitions, purchase orders, travel, payroll, and other financial related transactions into the financial system.
• Trains CLEE department staff on University travel policies and processes for travel requests and reconciliation of travel costs.
• Provides purchasing support through an informal bid process, entering requisitions, monitoring receipt of purchases, and processing payments.

Accounts Payable/Account Receivable

• Performs accounts receivable/payable procedures and ensures accurate records of transactions are kept.
• Records revenue, makes deposits, and enters payments.
• Monitors and balances accounts and researches and resolves discrepancies.
• Enters billable information and generates invoices.
• Performs cashiering functions, prepares, and issues receipts.

CLEE Department Administrative and Event Team Support

• Coordinates on-boarding of new employees.
• Delivers training on department internal procedures.
• Provides support for position searches.
• Makes recommendations to create and change office-level procedures.
• Contributes toward creating a positive and respectful workplace defined by personal and professional competence, integrity, and collaboration.
• Follows fiscal policy for processing of all program income including checks, purchase orders, and credit card payments.
• Makes recommendations to Center Management Team on internal processes that ensure adherence to University policy.
• May supervise student employees.

Other Duties as Assigned

Required Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent
• Experience: 4 years of relevant experience (or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience)
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
• Knowledge of standard office functions, accounting recordkeeping, electronic spreadsheets, and computer operation.
• Knowledge of financial policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of the granting process.
• Knowledge of multiple funding sources.
• Math skills.
• Attention to detail skills and ability to be thorough in completing work tasks.
• Ability to self direct work tasks and manage time to accomplish tasks.
• Ability to work in a team and get along with others.
• Ability to communicate effectively in a verbal or written format.
• Ability, knowledge, and skills to create documents that follow business writing standards. and UTK branding requirements.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and files.
• Ability to compare information and recognize discrepancies.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service.
• Ability to communicate effectively both in-person and in writing.
• Strong aptitude for learning new computer programs and/or tasks.
• Ability to analyze information and use logic to address work-related issues and problems.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituents in a diverse community.
• Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports for supervisor, program leaders, assistant director and/or director.
• Ability to use tact and discretion when dealing with a variety of issues.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Interpersonal and communication skills.

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: Associates degree
• Experience: 1 to 2 years of office/financial experience in a university setting.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
• DASH budgeting and personnel management skills
• Advanced Microsoft Office software knowledge and skills particularly with Excel spreadsheets (formulas, pivot tables, graphing)
• Skills to maintain a database
• Programming skills at any level is a plus
• Knowledge of related CLEE procedures and systems.

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN
• Hybrid

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR07
• 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:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

About The College/Department/Division

Founded in 1988, CLEE is a recognized leader in adult learning, education, and workforce development, driving meaningful change in Tennessee and across the U.S. With a team that spans Tennessee and beyond, we collaborate with state and national institutions, early childhood programs, K-12 and post-secondary schools, service agencies, employers, and workforce organizations.

Our team’s passion to create change drives our innovation and excellence in all we do. This commitment fuels our work towards empowering every individual with limitless opportunities to thrive at all stages of life. We prioritize individuals from all backgrounds, with deep expertise in supporting people with disabilities and underserved populations.

Committed to staying at the forefront of emerging research, we partner with a wide variety of organizations, including those across the University of Tennessee system and beyond, to advance best practices in adult learning, education, and employment.

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!