Bookkeeping Internship Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN (NOW HIRING)

The College of Veterinary Medicine invites applicants to apply for the position of Senior Accounts Receivable Specialist. This position serves as a senior financial operations lead for the Veterinary Medical Center (VMC), overseeing complex accounting, billing, and accounts receivable functions that support more than 35,000 patient visits annually and contribute to over $19 million in revenue. This position exercises substantial independent judgment in managing client accounts, ensuring regulatory and policy compliance, resolving high-risk financial issues, and supporting strategic financial decision-making for the VMC. The role provides advanced analytical support, leads process improvements, coordinates cross-departmental financial workflows, and serves as a key resource to clinicians, department heads, and external agencies.
Responsibilities
Accounts Receivable Leadership & Compliance Management
- Directs comprehensive accounts receivable operations for all Referral Veterinary Services, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely resolution of complex financial matters.
- Conducts advanced analysis of patient accounts, identifies systemic issues, and implements corrective actions to strengthen financial controls.
- Oversees monthly billing cycles, aging reports, delinquency management, and account status maintenance within the hospital system.
- Develops AR performance dashboards, trend analyses, and monthly reports for the Finance Director
- Coordinates with collection agencies, reconciles statements, and resolves discrepancies requiring high-level financial judgment
Client Financial Services & Complex Account Resolution
- Serves as the primary financial liaison for clients, clinicians, and external agencies, providing expert guidance on billing inquiries, treatment plan estimates, and account resolution strategies.
- Handles escalated, sensitive, or high-risk financial cases requiring advanced communication and negotiation skills.
- Drafts professional correspondence, negotiates payment arrangements, and ensures compliance with institutional and legal requirements.
- Collaborates with insurance carriers, Humane Societies, law enforcement, state agencies (e.g., TWRA), referring veterinarians, and debt-reduction agencies to resolve complex account matters.
- Maintains detailed documentation of all communications and collection efforts to support audit readiness and legal compliance.
Financial Operations & Cash Management Oversight
- Oversees daily financial operations for clinical services, ensuring accuracy, security, and compliance in all cash-handling processes.
- Manages cash drawer controls, verifies daily cash logs, and maintains after-hours receipt documentation.
- Prepares bank deposits and performs DASH cash entry functions in the absence of the supervisor.
- Investigates cash discrepancies, identifies root causes, and recommends process improvements to strengthen internal controls.
- Maintains inventory of financial processing supplies and coordinates with technical support to resolve credit-card terminal issues.
- Ensures accurate client demographic data and initiates corrections to maintain data integrity.
Training, Workflow Coordination & Cross-Departmental Collaboration
- Provides leadership in training and workflow coordination for student employees and new staff, developing training materials, evaluating performance, and ensuring consistent adherence to accounting procedures.
- Participates in hiring processes and provides recommendations regarding candidate selection.
- Collaborates with departmental bookkeepers, UTIA personnel, Central Cashier's Office, Internal Audit, Treasurer's Office, and other UT departments to streamline processes and resolve complex financial issues.
- Works closely with Computer Services to recommend, test, and implement system enhancements that improve billing accuracy and operational efficiency.
- Supports orientation for interns, residents, and live-in students regarding financial processes and expectations.
Financial Analysis, Reporting & Strategic Support
- Conducts advanced financial and statistical analyses to support departmental planning, budgeting, and operational decision-making.
- Prepares detailed accounting reports, year-end write-off recommendations, and reconciliation summaries for leadership review.
- Assists with year-end closing activities and contributes to the development of the departmental budget through revenue forecasting and AR performance evaluation.
- Provides full functional coverage for Client Clinical Services and Referral Services accounting operations during staff absences
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:

• Education: High school diploma or GED
• Experience: Minimum 3 years of accounting experience
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Knowledge of accounting principles and financial controls.
  • Strong computer skills, including advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word.
  • Skill in mathematical calculations and use of financial tools.
  • Excellent customer service, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
  • Ability to analyze complex financial data, identify discrepancies, and implement corrective actions.
  • Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and maintain high attention to detail.

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 in accounting or business-related field
• Experience: Experience in billing and collections environment or veterinary office/other medical setting preferred. DASH knowledge is preferred.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Knowledge of billing, collections, and medical or veterinary financial operations.

Work Location:
Knoxville, Tennessee
On-Site
Compensation and Benefits:

• UT market range: 07
• Anticipated hiring range: $48K-$55K
• 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
• List of 3 Professional References

About The College
The UT College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM), located in Knoxville, was established by an act of the Tennessee Legislature in 1974 and is part of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture.
UTCVM is one of 33 veterinary colleges in the United States and provides opportunities for Tennessee students while serving pet owners and the livestock industry as well as protecting public health, enhancing medical knowledge and generating economic benefits to the state and nation.
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!