Financial Specialist: Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering - UTK

About the job

The Financial Specialist position exists to assist with the planning, management, and coordination of fiscal and human resources operations of the unit/department. This position carries signature authority for fiscal and human resources transactions, as it serves as substitute authority for the Sr. Business Manager.  Consequently, the position can have major impact on capacity for strategic planning, responsible budget management, and compliance with university and governmental agency policies and regulations.  Regular meetings with faculty to assist with management of externally funded projects influence decisions regarding appointments of student employees, research staff, budget modifications, and future proposal development. The position is responsible for working with the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects personnel in ensuring timely account set-ups and closures to maintain accurate accounting processes.

Responsibilities

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/

About Us

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!

Additional Information

• Job Identification: 10320
• Job Category: Financial
• Posting Date: 2026-10-13
• Job Schedule: Full time
• Locations: 1512 Middle Drive, Knoxville, TN, 37996, US