Temporary Accounting Specialist, Department of Plant Sciences UTIA

This temporary position processes and reviews financial transactions for the Department of Plant Sciences. On the accounts payable side they process and serve as an IRIS Reviewer for procurement card activity invoices internal transfers petty cash reimbursements and other forms of University payment and establishing new vendors when the accounts receivable side they perform on line receipting deposits credit card processing and sales tax position works with faculty and staff for purchasing serving as the procurement card authority Market Place assistant contract and purchase order position also supports faculty with sponsored validate the projects in Cayuse monitor the spending reconcile the ledgers monthly forecast the spending communicate with sponsored accounting any concerns or position serves as the lead for the equipment purchases verification and surplus. This position supervises term and student workers in the business position will assume responsibility in the absence of the business manager.

• Provides sponsored accounting support to faculty by verifying budgets and justifications for projects in expenses for assigned projects and determines validation. Reconciles ledgers and provides forecasting situations and concerns to accounts include recharge centers departmental operating gifts royalties and sponsored program for monitoring validating and processing sub-award contracts within the grant for reporting for assigned faculty to include summaries of monthly activities and yearly and creates requests for advanced accounts no cost extensions budget revisions and pay funding changes. Assists faculty with final close out of sponsored projects.
• Assists faculty and staff with procedures relating to attaining usage compromises deadlines and termination of procurement cards. Processes procurement cards monthly by accumulating receipts validating charges tabulating in SAP/IRIS and ensuring fiscal compliance. Refers knowledge of procurement card policy and procedures to cardholders and provides support with audits.
• Creates vendors and processes invoices for payment petty cash reimbursements interdepartmental transfers and other forms of University payment to include T-27s and T-29s while ensuring fiscal compliance with each. Processes contracts in the ESM system.
• Creates purchase orders in Market Place for faculty equipment. Creates assets for equipment. Maintains the equipment inventory by verifying annually and processing the proper paperwork to transfer dismantle or send to surplus.
• Receives funds and deposits income from functions and/or events to include bankcard transactions.
• Supervises temporary and student workers in the business office.
• Offers support to the business manager and assumes responsibility in her absence.

Required Qualifications:

• Education:
  • High School diploma
• Experience:
  • Two years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education training and experience
• Knowledge Skills Abilities:
  • Knowledge of and ability to appropriately apply University and UTIA policies and procedures.
  • Ability to compile information receipts documentation in an organized manner.
  • The skills to use computers adding machines scanners and other office machines along with the ability to comprehend various software packages.
  • Ability to communicate effectively and work well with others.
  • Knowledge of MS Excel and fund accounting principles.
  • Knowledge of uniform guidance and sponsored project procedures.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education:
  • Bachelors degree in accounting finance economics math or management field
• Experience:
  • Four to five years of work experience to include supervising personnel.
  • SAP/IRIS experience.
  • Sponsored project experience at an institute of higher learning.
• Knowledge Skills Abilities:
  • Knowledge of SAP/IRIS and skills with reporting to state and federal agencies.
  • Ability to supervise others.

About The College/Department/Division:

The Department of Plant Sciences part of the Herbert College of Agriculture at the University of Tennessee Knoxville addresses agricultural and environmental challenges through teaching research and Extension. We offer programs in plant sciences and landscape design conduct research in crop production genetics plant physiology and sustainable agriculture and support growers and industry partners across Tennessee.