Finance Specialist – Student Life Finance and Administration - UTK

This position oversees the day-to-day accounting activities for assigned Student Life departments, ensuring accurate account management, reconciliations, purchasing, invoice payments, deposits, and assist with financial reporting. The role also provides financial guidance and support to departmental staff while assisting with payroll, travel reimbursements, procurement, office supplies, and other administrative needs to ensure smooth and effective department operations.

• Maintain and reconcile expense, revenue, and restricted accounts for various departments

• Identify, research, review, and resolve accounts payable and receivable discrepancies

• Prepare, process, and track petty cash reimbursements, purchase requisitions, inter- department transfers, invoice payments, and deposits

• Provide guidance on allowable expenditures

• Identify and resolve processing issues

• Verify procurement card statements

• Initiate vendor requests through PaymentWorks

• Add and remove holds on student accounts

• Prepare and track receivable invoices

• Provide assistance and direction to other financial support staff within Division of Student Life departments/areas

• Assist monthly reconciliations (deposits, ledgers, etc.). 

• Assist in the preparation of financial reports for assigned departments and make budget projections/recommendations based on data

• Answer inquiries regarding financial matters

• Serve as back for office supplies ordering for designated departments

• Create, submit, edit, and track travel requests and reimbursements for professional staff as needed

Required Qualifications

• Education: High School diploma or GED
• Experience: 3 years of accounting/bookkeeping or other financial related experience or associates degree and 1 year of accounting/bookkeeping or other financial related experience; Bachelor's degree may substitute for experience requirement.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Knowledge of accounting and computer-based accounting software; Ability to work independently without close supervision; Ability to set own objectives; Ability to be flexible and meet deadlines; Strong organizational, listening, interpersonal, and communication skills; Ability to manage multiple assignments concurrently; Ability to use electronic financial management system

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 or Bachelor’s degree
• Experience: 4 years of accounting/bookkeeping experience or associate degree and 2 years of accounting/bookkeeping experience; Experience in a higher education environment; Experience with medical billing; Knowledge of CPT codes.

Work Location 

• Location: Knoxville, TN
• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits 

• UT market range: MR06
• Anticipated hiring range: $41,000-$45,000 and is commensurate with education and experience 
• 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. A review of all applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. 

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References (with current email address and phone number)

About The College/Department/Division

The Division of Student Life is comprised of an outstanding group of professionals who create student-centered opportunities that contribute to a transformative Volunteer Experience. These opportunities allow students to grow their skills and knowledge outside of the classroom. From health and wellness to service and engagement, we provide opportunities where students exemplify the Volunteer Spirit, inspiring others to learn, lead, and serve.

Our departments provide essential services that support student success and future growth, fostering engagement, leadership, and wellness while enhancing belonging. Together, they create transformative experiences that help students achieve both academic and personal goals.