Financial Associate Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Under leadership of the department's Director, this role serves as a vital member of the HCB Technical Innovative Solutions (TIS) administrative team, functioning as the primary financial and operations manager for the department. This role provides management for all business and financial operations with minimal supervision, including ledger reconciliation, and reporting; college-wide IT equipment procurement, space inventory, and asset management inventory; and general administrative support for the TIS team. The position applies research, critical thinking, and analysis to resolve problems across a broad variety of financial and administrative duties and makes recommendations to leadership to create and change department procedures or address financial issues. This position also serves as a liaison to OIT, Procurement Services, Contracts Office, and the HCB Financial Information Office.

Required Qualifications

Education: 

• High school diploma or GED 

Experience: 

• Minimum of 4 years of relevant, progressively responsible experience with general bookkeeping, accounting, financial administration, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 

• Knowledge of financial, bookkeeping, and general accounting principles
• Knowledge of financial policies and procedures, including multiple funding sources
• Strong attention to detail
• Advanced computer skills including ability to quickly learn new software systems
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision
• Excellent knowledge of Excel, Word, and other Microsoft-based products
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with individuals both internal and external to the university
• Excellent customer service skills
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituents internal and external to the university
• Strong problem-solving and organizational skills

• Strong math 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: 

• Vocational or technical training in bookkeeping / accounting

• Associate's degree in accounting, Business, or related field

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Business, Finance, Math, or related field

Experience: 

• Minimum of 4 years of relevant, progressively responsible experience with general bookkeeping, accounting, or financial administration, including some experience in a higher education and/or IT department environment.
• Experience with procurement, accounting, inventory control, and DASH system is a plus.
• Experience in higher education environment

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 

• Intermediate to advanced Excel skills
• Knowledge of higher education fund accounting and organizational structure
• DASH experience

Work Location

Location: Knoxville, TN

• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT market range: MR07
• 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: Technical Innovative Solutions (TIS) provides technology support and innovation solutions for faculty and staff across the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business. TIS manages audio/visual systems, computer solutions, cloud solutions, and procurement services. We are committed to delivering reliable, forward-thinking solutions that support classroom technology, research and administrative excellence.

IT PROCUREMENT, INVENTORY & FINANCIAL TRANSACTION PROCESSING

Manages all aspects of procurement for college-wide IT equipment, including processing received orders, gathering and advising on department equipment requests, submitting orders, coordinating with vendors, ensuring delivery, and tracking expenses

Determines whether procurement requests meet criteria for requisition or contract; applies knowledge of multiple funding sources to make correct determinations on funding source(s) to be used

Provides coordination and support for procurement processes in partnership with Vol-tech; assists faculty and staff with procurement process questions and ensures timely communication regarding procurement purchases

Manages and executes annual Computer Upgrade Program process for the college, ensuring accuracy and timeliness of orders, adherence to budget, and compliance with all related policies

Orders, Tracks, and submits reimbursement to OIT for annual Tech Fee

Monitors and reconciles all departmental ledgers, creating and updating department procedures as necessary and ensuring compliance with fiscal policy

Manages and maintains IT equipment inventory for all departments within the college

Manages and maintains space inventory for TIS

Manages licenses and financial contracts for the department

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING

Provides expert guidance and detailed budget status to department leadership

Applies intermediate to advanced Excel and/or analysis skills to enhance reports including pivot tables, formulas, and custom metrics

Maintains financial records in support of department accounting activities; compiles financial data

Produces both regular and on-demand reports on space, financial matters, P-card claims, and inventory for all departments within the college

Serves as liaison to OIT, Procurement Services, Contracts Office, and HCB Financial Information Office

Makes recommendations to Director to create and change department financial procedures or to address financial issues

Coordinates and tracks all IT (asset and non-asset) and general surplus requests for the college

Resolves inventory discrepancies

GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

Provides backup customer service, including greeting visitors, answering phones/helpline, creating TDX support tickets, and responding to general email inquiries in absence of other department staff

Generates ad hoc reports as needed by the department Director

Process monthly and biweekly payroll for all exempt, non-exempt, contract, and student employees in TIS

Recommends and oversees implementation of new or modified department procedures; coordinates and works collaboratively with other departments and support units in HCB for effective department operations

Manages Director's calendar; schedules events, TIS retreats, and training sessions for the college

Responsible for creating monthly TIS newsletter and supports departmental recruitment process

Supports on-boarding process and trains new employees on department processes

RECORDS MANAGEMENT

Organizes and accurately maintains office files, supporting primary use of electronic files

Keeps current on policies regarding record retention/storage/destruction to ensure department complies with Federal, State, UTK and HCB guidelines

Initiates and coordinates process for any records that need to go to Records Retention or that need to be shredded/destroyed; retrieves historical records information as needed

CONTINUING EDUCATION/TRAINING/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Must participate in all HCB training and professional development, including but not limited to regular trainings/seminars by FIO and TIS

Complete all required UTK training modules via K@TE and other delivery platforms

Attend classes related to accounting practices; augment accounting knowledge by completing courses in LinkedIn Learning and attending HCB Financial Information Office training workshops

Learn AI tools (Copilot and UT's AI Hub) and incorporate into daily processes to streamline workflows

Proactively seek and actively participate in professional development/educational/training opportunities with approval from Director. Resources may include LinkedIn Learning, K@TE, UTK Learning and Organizational Development, or external professional organizations