Accountant (Financial Professional I - MR10)

UTC Accounting Services

University of Tennessee, Chattanooga

The Financial Professional 1 serves as an Accountant that works within sponsored project accounting. The Accountant will work on sponsored projects from initial setup to completion of closeout process. This position works with most departments on campus to ensure grant accounts are set up properly, monitored, invoiced, complete account analysis, process budget revisions, and closed out. The position will process indirect allocations for the departments and colleges and is familiar with UT Fiscal Policy and Federal OMB Grant Regulations in order to offer assistance and compliance monitoring. The position also processes deposits and assists others in the department when needed; communicates effectively with campus and off-campus communities; and assists with new process relating to Letter of Credit draws for federally funded grants.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Process grant invoices and distribute appropriately for payment per funder guidance via email, mail or funder payment system; process Letter of Credit draws for federally funded grants through use of funder required systems; collaborate with Principal Investigators and departmental administrative assistants on accounting issues to ensure compliance on grant accounts; filter calls pertaining to grants; complete budget and expense analysis to develop budget revisions for department and work with ORSP on any prior approval requirements; submit budget revisions to Director for review and approval and enter them into IRIS; and maintain budget revision documentation electronically in both IRIS and electronic grant files.
• Initiate closeout paperwork and notification to department for grant and contract accounts; work with Principal Investigator and Departmental Administrative Assistant on proper closeout of accounts including account analysis, assistance with completing Statement of Final Charges forms, and direct department on processing of all transactions required to close out sponsored project account timely.
• Review new contract and grant account documentation from Cayuse and set up electronic file in SharePoint/OneDrive; review contracts and grants account requests to determine type of invoicing, fund attributes and g/l coding for project budget; coordinate with Office of Research and Sponsored Programs for any missing or incorrect information pertaining to new account requests; prepare account sheets and budgets for new grants and contracts and setup electronic files to be reviewed by Assistant Director and/or Director; and notify required departments and staff of new R account.
• Ensure maintenance of accurate and complete grant and contract paper and electronic files; and set up other restricted accounts in IRIS such as N Accounts and occasional university gift accounts.
• Cash Management: Deposit grant payments into Unapplied Cash Account in IRIS and note accurate sponsored project account and invoice for posting to the WBS element; work with UTK and UTC Bursar office on ACH payments to make sure properly received and recorded; could also be responsible for posting and clearing deposits with separation of duties ensured; track outstanding invoices via Accounts Receivable Aging Report and contact customers regarding payment; and work with Assistant Director and Director to resolve any major account receivable issues.
• Grant and Contract General Support: Help Assistant Director with monthly effort certification report, review and assist campus with effort certification questions, payroll and other general financial questions pertaining to grants and contracts; train department on entry of sponsored project cost transfers; assist with audit requests and aiding departments in making corrective actions; year-end duties of reviewing reports for record retention and storage, creating record of stored files, and moving files to storage; calculate quarterly F&A's (indirects) for all grant accounts; update spreadsheets and make indirect budget revisions for approval; process F&A's budget revisions in IRIS; and notify all parties involved with grant accounts of the budget revision.

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Knowledge of basic accounting principles, budget management skills, and well-developed computer skills
• Ability to communicate effectively, manage time well, multi-task, is well-organized, and detail oriented
• Intermediately skilled in Excel, and other Microsoft Office programs such as Outlook, Word, and Adobe
• Skilled at navigating and data entry in accounting software

In addition to the online application and resume, please include a cover letter. Review of applications will begin February 22, 2022 and continue until the position is filled. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration.

Minimum Qualifications: Typically requires a Bachelor's degree Business or Accounting and 3 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Preferred Qualifications: General accounting or bookkeeping with 4 years or more of experience; preferred work in sponsored project accounting specifically; knowledge of University fiscal policies, especially in relation to Sponsored Projects; familiarity with OMB Uniform Guidance regulations and UT Fiscal Policy; preferred skilled in SAP (IRIS) accounting software and Cayuse proposal and award system.

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status.