The University of Tennessee Health Science Center · 5 hours ago
Financial Associate: Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development - UTK
Knoxville, TN
Full-time
Onsite
Mid Level
$48K/yr - $50K/yr
3+ years expThe University of Tennessee Health Science Center is seeking a Financial Associate to support financial activities in a complex research administration environment. The role involves managing accounts receivable for sponsored projects, ensuring compliance and accuracy in financial reporting, and providing administrative support to the research community.
Health CareHigher EducationMedical
Responsibilities
Manages the Unapplied Cash Receipts Account and serves as the primary Accounts Receivable specialist for sponsored projects
Responsibilities include reviewing, researching, and applying sponsor payments to ensure accurate posting, timely reconciliation, and compliant financial reporting
Analyzes deposits from invoices, sponsor portals, and automatic payments; prepares and reviews check and electronic deposits; and ensures all cash is fully applied and reconciled by month-end
Independently investigates documentation issues using DASH, Cayuse/Huron, internal systems, and direct sponsor outreach, often coordinating across multiple stakeholders to resolve issues
Monitors aging, collections, and sponsor payment trends; initiates follow-up and escalates unresolved items
Researches and resolves billing and payment discrepancies (misapplied payments, short-pays, overpayments, duplicates, and posting errors)
Reviews invoices and financial records to ensure proper accounting treatment and regulatory compliance
Provides guidance to departments and faculty on billing, allowability, accountability, and payment application
Maintains accurate AR records and prepares reports to support month-end close, audits, and management oversight
Each member of DRA-SAS is expected to be an active participant in meeting team objectives and goals, and improving work outcomes
Under the general supervision of the DRA-SAS administrative team lead, administrative coordinators independently analyze information and interpret situations to determine how to solve a problem or complete an assignment effectively, and share these solutions and best practices with other members of the team
Makes recommendations to the team lead to create and change office-level procedures
Accurate and timely application of cash is essential to the financial integrity of sponsored projects
Provides on-site administrative support for ORIED’s CM-based staff (not limited to DRA staff)
Answers the door and welcomes guests to ORIED’s CM suite
Manages reservations for CM conference rooms and workspaces
Manages parking tag reservations
Interfaces with ORIED business staff and CM building manager on facilities concerns
Manages incoming and outgoing mail and package and service deliveries
Manages the SPA@utk.edu email account for the department to disseminate emails received to various staff and respond to emails accordingly
Serves as backup to other DRA SPA financial support and Administrative assistant staff
Assists with the distribution of sponsored project billings and financial reports
Shares office receptionist/phone duties with DRA Administrative Specialist
Transports checks as received in the office to the Central Cashier's Office
Organizes and schedules meetings for the SPA staff, including monthly meetings, inter-department trainings, special events, etc
Provides regular and adhoc financial reports as directed by the supervisor
Temporarily assumes additional operational and financial administrative duties in the event of a job vacancy on the team, until the position can be filled
Qualification
Required
High School diploma or GED
Three years of prior experience in an office environment
Knowledge of MS Office
Ability to solve problems
Ability to learn new software and processes
Ability to improve processes through critical thinking
Ability to effectively communicate with diverse faculty, staff, and sponsors
Ability to multi-task, organize a high-volume of work, and pay attention to detail
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment; ability to be dependable, punctual, and a team player
Preferred
Bachelor's Degree
Accounting or business experience; prior university experience
Knowledge of UT fiscal, HR, and research policies; knowledge of granting agency requirements
Knowledge of Uniform Guidance and Federal Acquisition Regulations
Knowledge of DASH and Cayuse
Company
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Established in 1911, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center aims to improve human health through education, research, clinical care and public service.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$10.91MKey Investors
National Cancer InstituteHealth Resources and Services Administration
2022-08-26Grant· $3.16M
2022-07-26Grant· $3.9M
2022-03-31Grant· $2.05M
Leadership Team
Rachal McCray
CTO/ Police Dispatcher
Raaj Kurapati
Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer
Recent News
2025-10-02
Genetic Engineering News
2025-09-28
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