Post-Award Specialist-College of Education, Health, and Human Science- UTK Position Available In Knox, Tennessee

Post-Award Specialist-College of Education, Health, and Human Science- UTK
University of Tennessee Chattanooga Knoxville, TN Full-time Education
Posted on March 31, 2025
Job Description
Position manages accounting functions for the College of Education, Health, & Human Sciences (CEHHS) with regards to Sponsored Projects Accounting to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and efficiency of post-award fiscal administration. Works to minimize risk to university and CEHHS from restricted account activity and to maximize cash flow through accounts receivable management.
Position manages accounting functions for the College of Education, Health, & Human Sciences (CEHHS) with regards to Sponsored Projects Accounting to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and efficiency of post-award fiscal administration. Works to minimize risk to university and CEHHS from restricted account activity and to maximize cash flow through accounts receivable management.
Responsibilities
Sponsored Projects Accounting
Analyzes contracts and agreements for spending restrictions, reporting deadlines, etc.
Reviews and interprets budget justifications to build GL budget for submission to Contracts & FMC.
Prepares Schedules of Final Charges for the FMC Accountant to assist in award closeout process.
Provides guidance to Assoc. Deans and leadership on fiscal allocations and expenditures by interpreting and applying fiscal regulations
and guidelines to ensure that all sponsor-specific, federal, state, and university requirements are met for each sponsored project.
Processes subaward invoices.
Monitors subcontracts by reviewing subaward invoices, tracking expenditures, and working with the sub-award’s financial office to
resolve any discrepancies and / or advise on processes. Requests additional backup documentation to review or audit as needed.
Analyzes financial data and creates ad hoc reports with constructive metrics for Dean, Assoc. Deans, Director of Finance & Admin, Asst.
Director of Finance, and PIs, providing insights on trends and improvement opportunities.
Serves as a liaison between PIs & UTK’s Division of Research Administration to submit post-award
budgets, budget revisions, other award actions, schedules of final charges, etc.
Financial Risk Oversight
Works with associate deans & PIs to analyze charges and ensure they stay within agency approved budget categories.
Collaborates with other colleges and units on joint project fiscal matters, such as budget revisions for joint projects.
Advises other colleges or units with Co-PIs on CEHHS Awards on matters related to the budget, compliance, or reporting. Serves as
lead on Award Action items with FMC on cross-functional projects awarded in CEHHS.
Monitors sponsored accounts and researches over expenditures or other concerns to determine if the expenses are allowable,
allocable, and reasonable, providing guidance to faculty and staff as needed to reduce risks.
Ensures compliance across all CEHHS units on fiscal matters, such as but not limited to ledger reconciliation, outside interest
disclosures, compliance training, and other financial deadlines. Provides guidance to faculty and staff on best practices.
Reconcile ledgers for CEHHS Admin and associated groups as required by UT Policy.
Labor & Effort
Coordinates with all CEHHS departments and centers on labor schedules for all employees.
Manages the email inbox for all CEHHS departments and centers in regards to labor schedule inquiries and adjustments.
Processes labor schedules college-wide.
Ensures fiscal compliance on effort certification for CEHHS Admin and associated groups. Review the pre-review document for accuracy with the budgets and labor data, identify and resolve any discrepancies, and send to PI for final submission.
Accounts Payables
Ensures proper accounts payables entry for standard invoices, contract invoices, procurement cards, miscellaneous reimbursements, etc for CEHHS Admin and associated groups.
Ensures fiscal compliance on accounts payable.
Serves as primary contact for CEHHS Admin vendors and provides customer service to guide them through vendor setup and answers payment questions when applicable.
Accounts Receivables
Ensures proper accounts receivable entry for most of the college and reconciliation.
Monitors and manages CEHHS receivables to maximize cash flow.
Develops and maintains accounts receivables procedures.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration

Experience:

3-5 years or related experience

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Extensive working knowledge of financial and cost accounting standards as well as OMB Uniform Guidance.
Extensive knowledge of university fiscal policies and procedures.
Effective communication skills.
Ability to prioritize and manage a high-volume of complex projects simultaneously to meet deadlines.
Ability to provide excellent customer service with a commitment to quality and integrity.
Ability to think analytically, quantitatively, creatively, and strategically.
Ability to be a team player and work well collaboratively and collectively.
Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Certified Research Administrator (CRA)

Experience:

Post-award fiscal management of grants and contracts at an institution of higher education is preferred. Experience and familiarity with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Knowledge of UT fiscal policy, research policies, and human resource policies.
Knowledge of Cayuse and Oracle / DASH.
Advanced spreadsheet and database management skills.
Working knowledge of accounting principles for higher education is preferred.
Work Location

Location:

Knoxville, TN
Onesite and may transition to hybrid
Compensation and Benefits
UT market range: MR11
Anticipated hiring range: $60,000-$65,000
Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
Find more information on UT Benefits here
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 visa status.
Application Instructions
Applicants should attach a cover letter and resume.
About The College/Department/Division
In the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, we believe in the power of education to unlock doors, the importance of health in building thriving societies, and the impact of understanding human behavior in shaping a better world. Through our rigorous academic programs, research initiatives, and hands-on experiential learning opportunities, we equip our students with the skills, knowledge, and empathy needed to make a meaningful difference in their chosen fields.
Whether you aspire to become a teacher, a healthcare professional, a counselor, or a researcher, we offer a supportive and inclusive environment where you can explore your passions, cultivate your talents, and realize your full potential.
For more information on CEHHS please visit https://cehhs.utk.edu/about/