Accounting Specialist, School of Natural Resources: UTIA

The School of Natural Resources invites applications for a full-time Accounting Specialist III. Reporting to the Business Manager, this position supports the School's central operations by providing accounting and financial control while maintaining fiscal and administrative integrity, meeting fiscal objectives to ensure compliance with UT Policies and Procedures, and federal and state regulations, and establishing and sustaining positive working relationships with internal and external constituencies.

Accounting

• Process accounting transactions accurately and timely.
• Process miscellaneous reimbursements and accounts payable invoices.
• Manage vendor creation/updates in PaymentWorks.
• Process travel reimbursement/travel card charges for staff and assigned faculty, along with their associated students and staff.
• Distribute/verify/reconcile all procurement card charges.
• Process accounts payable contracts in Agiloft, and purchase requisitions.
• Manage informal bid process when required by Procurement.
• Manage purchasing of supplies and equipment, including items over $10,000.
• Manage Fleet Management assignments and corrections.
• Process journal transfers.
• Process cash deposits.

Budget Management, assisting the business manager with the following:

• Reconciliation of departmental and sponsored project grant and contract monthly ledgers, including salaries, expenditures, and income.
• Calculate PI returns from the provided quarterly F&A returns for Research and Extension.
• Sponsored project grant and contract budget monitoring to ensure federal and state compliance.
• Perform functions such as budget analysis and projections.
• Audit activity codes assigned to various accounts to ensure all expenses are posted correctly.
• Meet with faculty to review sponsored project budgets and expenditures.
• Prepare various detailed financial reports as needed.
• Management of month-end and fiscal year-end closeout procedures.

Asset/Inventory Management

• Annual verification of departmental equipment inventory.
• Create/manage assets within the department.
• Surplus equipment to warehousing.
• Maintain and order computers.

General Office Duties

• Assist with mail and packages, copier, and main phone line coverage when needed.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: 
• Experience: 
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 
• High school diploma
• 4 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Knowledge of general accounting principles.
• Problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent communication, customer service, and organizational skills.
• Ability to have great attention to small details.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and files.
• Comply with policies and procedures, and understand/prioritize work assignments and deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education: 
• Experience: 
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
• Associate's Degree or vocational training in accounting, finance, or other business-related field
• 5+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge of accounts receivable/payable functions.
• Knowledge of UT financial policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of DASH, Agiloft, Cayuse.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn grant and contract processes.
• Skilled in accounting concepts.
• Ability to work within general guidelines established by supervisor.

Work Location:

• Location: Knoxville, TN
• Onsite

Compensation And Benefits:

• UT market range: MR07
• Anticipated hiring range: $50,000-$64,000 
• 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. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before September 30, 2025.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

About The College/Department/Division:

The School of Natural Resources is located in the Herbert College of Agriculture at the University of Tennessee. We offer two exciting areas of study: the forestry major and the wildlife and fisheries major.  The school also has multiple master’s degree programs and a doctoral program in natural resources. Our curricula focus on a mastery learning approach, emphasizing practical, hands-on experiences. Our faculty, staff, and students conduct research and Extension activities that advance the science and sustainable management of our natural resources.

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!