Accounting Specialist, Tennessee RiverLine - UTIA

The accounting specialist position for the Tennessee RiverLine (TNRL) is tasked with managing the daily financial activities of the department. This position works closely with TNRL staff, the TNRL Departmental Business Manager and the Extension Business office staff to ensure correct and timely entry of financial transactions. This position serves as a primary point of contact for financial transactions for internal clients. This is a grant-funded position.

• Receives and organizes payment and deposit forms from email, fax and postal service.
• Reviews incoming request forms for correctness, ensure grant stipulations are met and requested amounts fall within the approved budget.
• Monitors financial related activity and apprises the Business Manager and Executive Director of any unusual request or activity. Enters transactions into the accounting ERP system.
• Reconciles p-card accounts, reviews travel purchases, and enters expense reports.
• Reviews invoices, requisitions, and purchase orders for accuracy of information; researches and works with appropriate persons to resolve discrepancies.
• Processes, audits, and enters invoices, requisitions, purchase orders, travel, payroll, and other financial related transactions into the financial system.
• Prepares, scans and properly documents all incoming payments, deposits, and transfers.
• Processes and monitors contracts in the ESM system.
• Monitors and issues receipts to all sponsors. Creates invoices and manages accounts receivable including notifying customers of outstanding invoices.
• Prepares financial expenditure reports for Business Manager and Executive Director on a monthly basis. Consults with Extension staff, reviews, monitors, and ensures policy compliance for various program budgets.
• Review and monitors account balances on monthly basis and alerts Business Manager and Executive Director if accounts are overspent.
• Provides purchasing support through an informal bid process, entering requisitions, monitoring receipt of purchase, and processing payments.
• Serves as a primary point of contact for financially related questions for TNRL Staff.
• Sorts and organizes incoming mail for the TNRL.
• Communicates with sponsors to ensure any grant restrictions are properly recorded.
• Prepares and distributes notification of sponsorships.
• Occasionally assists at TNRL events and activities.
• Other Duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or GED
• Experience: 1-2 years of accounting/financial experience or Bachelor's degree in lieu of experience
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Knowledge of accounting principles. Knowledge of Excel. Analytical Skills. Organizational Skills. Ability to multitask. Ability to understand and follow University fiscal policy and procedures. Ability to work with interruptions. Ability to self-direct. Customer Service Skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Vocational Training, Associates Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Business/Accounting or related field
• Experience: 3-5 years of accounting/financial experience
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, particularly Microsoft Excel. Knowledge of an ERP system (ORACLE/SAP). Ability to use computers and technology comfortably and efficiently. Ability to research and interpret financial information. Organized approach to completing projects. Ability to deal with multiple projects with both short and long-term deadlines and tolerate very detailed work. Self-motivation.

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN - Hybrid

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR06
• Anticipated hiring range: $33,771-$60,787
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

For full consideration, applicants must electronically submit a letter of interest, resume, and the name, address, email, and phone number of three professional references. References will not be contacted without explicit permission of the candidate. Screening of applicants will begin immediately and will continue until the position has been filled.

When determining minimum qualifications, only information entered into the candidate profile can be considered. Please ensure your candidate profile is completed in its entirety as it relates to qualifying education/work experience.

About The College/Department/Division

The Tennessee RiverLine – The Tennessee RiverLine is a transformative initiative of UT Extension that envisions the Tennessee River as a continuous 1.2-million-acre river park spanning its 652-mile reach. By fostering sustainable tourism, economic development, and equitable access to outdoor recreation, the RiverLine enhances public health, resource stewardship, and community vitality. The Tennessee RiverLine helps carry out the university’s land-grant mission by collaborating with over 50 cities and counties across three states and providing technical assistance in planning, design, recreation management, and stewardship to empower communities and enhance quality of life in the region. For more information, visit tnriverline.org.

UT Extension - UT Extension provides a gateway to the University of Tennessee as the outreach unit of the Institute of Agriculture. It is a statewide educational organization, funded by federal, state and local governments, that brings research-based information about agriculture, family and consumer sciences, and resource development to the people of Tennessee where they live and work.