Accounting Specialist, Oak Ridge Innovation Institute-UTK

Job Description

Reporting to the Senior Business Services Manager for the University of Tennessee - Oak Ridge Innovation Institute (UT-ORII), the Accounting Specialist position is responsible for managing and monitoring departmental accounts, preparing budgets, and ensuring compliance with University of Tennessee policies and procedures. Key responsibilities include reconciling ledgers (including grant and contract accounts), analyzing budgets and expenditures, preparing financial projections, and compiling reports on account statuses. The role also involves administrative tasks such as inventory management, effort certification monitoring, and serving as a point of contact for funding-related inquiries.

This position requires strong knowledge of accounting principles, proficiency in financial systems, and the ability to problem-solve proactively. Additionally, the Accounting Specialist supports compliance efforts by documenting departmental accounting practices and implementing corrective actions when necessary.

Responsibilities

Financial & Compliance :

• Reconcile department ledgers, including grant and contract accounts.
• Ensure documentation meets standards of UT policies and procedures.
• Assist with UTB-Student contract accounts, monitor expenditures to ensure they are in compliance with the agreements, as well as, ensuring that adequate funding is available from the sponsor.
• Assist with determining when communication to the sponsor regarding increased funding is needed and initiate the request.
• Analyze budgets and expenditures regularly to be proactive in finding and resolving issues in a timely manner.
• Communicate with administrative specialist regarding any pay funding changes
• Prepare projections for departmental and contract funding.
• Compile reports on the status of each account.
• Track funding changes and update departmental statistics related to project funding.
• Routinely review transactions in DASH for accuracy
• Process journal entries or non-labor cost transfers as needed
• Prepare Schedules of Final Charges (SFCs) for grant and contract accounts.
• Assist with documenting departmental accounting practices, developing new or updating existing practices and implementing when needed.

Other Administrative Duties :

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of and the skills to utilize the university systems such as Banner, ARGOS, ASTRA, Cayuse, and UT Marketplace.

Work Location

Compensation and Benefits

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before January 5, 2026.

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!