Senior Financial Associate: Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering - UTK

Job Description

Reporting to the Senior Business Manager, the Senior Financial Associate provides assistance to faculty and staff for fiscal and HR policy compliance along with granting agency guidelines and is responsible for addressing questions and concerns in a timely manner. This position represents the unit in a professional manner, often dealing with individuals and organizations external to the university. Decisions made by this position can impact the department's ability to meet fiscal obligations, to comply with state, university and agency policies and to promote viable relationships with outside constituents.

• Validate accuracy of deposits as prepared by an alternate associate through review of physical cash, receipts and deposit transaction documents.
• Research and provide guidance for internal transfer transactions to properly record allocations and posting corrections with applicable cost transfer form approvals from Sponsored Project Accounting; process as needed for separation of duties.
• Contact faculty for questions and recommend process changes to be reviewed and approved; oversee 9‑month/12‑month calculations, NIH salary caps, NSF payroll restrictions for sponsored projects; provide recommendations to faculty related to sponsor requirements and policy and procedure compliance.
• Provide recommendations related to compliance and guide faculty related to budgetary/funding activities on externally funded projects to properly record costs and activities and make recommendations to the Sr. Business/Asst. Business Manager.
• Monitor sponsored project spending and reconcile ledgers; ensure all supporting documentation is provided; offer initial review of budget projections, account closeout, need for contract modifications, and monitor accounts for overspending.
• Work directly with OSP/FMC personnel for pre‑award/post‑award management.
• Co‑manage budget funding from other internal sources for reimbursement or direct charging SARIF, summer internships, etc.
• Provide data analysis and reporting for financial.

• Education:
  
  High School diploma or GED
• Experience:
  
  4+ years of accounting
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Knowledge of State and Federal contract and grant financial requirements.
  • Working knowledge of UT fiscal policies and procedures.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, Teams, PowerPoint).
  • Ability to multi‑task and prioritize tasks.
  • Autonomous and team‑based work ability.
  • Organizational and time‑management skills.
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Education:
    
    Associate's or Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Human Resource Management or related degree; other license/certificates that relate to accounting, HR or Business.
  • Experience:
    
    Associate's degree in a related field preferred with 2+ years of accounting and HR experience;
    Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred with accounting and HR experience; experience in an academic environment; experience hiring foreign nationals and communicating with non‑native English speakers; human resources specific experience related to recruiting, hiring or employee relations.
  • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
    • Knowledge of State and federal contract and grant financial requirements.
    • Working knowledge of UT fiscal and HR policies and procedures.
    • Knowledge of financial/personnel management applications.

• Location:
  
  Knoxville, TN
• Onsite

• UT market range: MR07
• Anticipated hiring range: $53,000
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here.
• Find more information on UT Benefits here.

To express interest, please submit an application with the attachments listed below on or before March 15, 2026.

• Resume
• Cover Letter

The Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering Department is part of the Tickle College of Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. More information can be found at (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..