Research Accountant I, Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development-UTK

This position serves as an Accountant Level I in the Division of Research Administration (DRA). This department provides financial administrative service to the research community for post-award functions as part of the Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development. Sponsored project and agency fund expenditures financially reported and collected by this unit totaled $468M in FY2023. Accountants within DRA are responsible for the financial management of millions of dollars per individual portfolio; financial compliance reviews; submitting financial reports; providing financial guidance to Principal Investigators, Business Managers, Budget Directors, and others within UT departments; serving as financial point of contact with outside sponsors; and accounts receivable collections.  This is a very fast-paced, high volume environment in which one must be able to manage multiple deadlines; exercise good judgment and decision making skills; apply knowledge of UT fiscal policy, federal regulations, and sponsors’ terms and conditions; and conform to those requirements to reduce the risk of loss of funds for the University.  The Accountant Level I has substantial accountability, independent decision making capabilities, and handles numerous sponsors. This position performs financial tasks with minimal supervision, has extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment, and draws conclusions on financial and compliance-related issues. Research Accountants provide exceptional service to faculty, staff, administrators, and sponsors regarding the fiscal management of sponsored funds; the mitigation of potential compliance risks and liability; the navigation of research administration tools and systems; and and the overall management of sponsored accounts. This position is part of the career path program within DRA involving increasing levels of responsibilities from Accountant Level I, to Accountant Level II, to Accountant Level III, to Manager. 

 Post-Award Financial Administration

• Provides guidance and oversight to Researchers, Business Managers, Budget Directors, and others within UT departments in the fiscal management of sponsored funds.

• Interprets and applies fiscal regulations and guidelines to ensure all Federal, State, University, and private sponsor requirements are met for effective financial reporting purposes.

• Evaluates allowability and allocability of costs based on federal regulations, sponsor terms, fiscal policies, and other applicable guidelines to report to sponsors.

• Analyzes and effectively resolves problems related to all aspects of financial compliance. 

• Evaluates sponsors' financial terms and conditions; departmental and sponsors' budgets and corresponding justifications; and financial reporting requirements of awards for efficient and compliant account management. 

• Monitors sponsor budgets, cost share, subawards, guidelines, and expenses for allowability and compliance. 

• Manages numerous and competing deadlines to ensure contractual terms and conditions are met and the University is not exposed to financial liability due to missed deadlines.

• Proficiently utilizes an array of secure web-based federal, state, and private sponsor systems for financial reporting, letter of credit draws, and reimbursement requests per sponsor requirements.

• Monitors accounts receivable to maximize the University's cash flow.  Recommends referral of delinquent accounts to UT Legal Counsel.

• Prepares reports quarterly, semi-annually, and annually for federal agencies and sponsors as required.

• Annually reviews fund balances to properly classify revenues for University financial statements.

• Develops, prepares, and maintains the closeout of reports, financial documentation, Schedules of Final Charges, and related work papers that accurately represent financial expenses to sponsors per University fiscal policy and sponsor guidelines. Work papers detail adjustments, reconciliations, justifications, cost share information, program income and all other facets involved in the accurate reporting of a sponsored project. 

Compliance

• Conducts and monitors compliance activities and accurately applies relevant fiscal policies and sponsor requirements to mitigate the risks of financial liability that could result from Federal, State, University, and private audits.

• Analyzes expenditure documentation to determine if allowable, allocable, and consistently applied.

• Interprets and enforces award terms and conditions to ensure financial compliance. 

<