Accounting Manager: Social Work Research & Public Service

The Social Work Office of Research and Public Service (SWORPS) is seeking an experienced Accounting Manager to lead our Accounting Specialist team and help power the financial engine behind a dynamic portfolio of sponsored programs, state-funded projects, service contracts, and internal operations.

This is more than a supervisory role — it's an opportunity to shape how a growing organization manages money, mentors people, and builds processes that last. As Accounting Manager, you'll provide hands-on leadership, training, and quality control for a team handling procurement, travel, reimbursements, invoices, purchasing cards, vendor setup, and more — while ensuring every transaction meets University and sponsor compliance standards.

Reporting to the Director of Budget, Finance & Operations (BFO), you'll be a key partner in keeping SWORPS' financial operations accurate, timely, and audit-ready, all while championing strong internal controls and continuous process improvement.

We're looking for a collaborative, solutions-driven leader — someone who coaches with purpose, thrives on solving problems, and knows how to turn competing priorities into a well-run operation. If you're ready to bring structure, mentorship, and financial expertise to a mission-driven team, we want to hear from you.

This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued funding of the grant. 

The Accounting Manager will:

• Supervise the Accounting Specialist team — coordinating workloads, training, coaching, performance evaluations, and scheduling.

• Set and maintain team procedures, checklists, and training materials to ensure consistent, high-quality workflows.

• Oversee financial processing for procurement, invoices, vendor setup, purchasing cards, travel, reimbursements, transfers, petty cash, gift cards, and assistance payments.

• Review financial transactions for proper documentation, approvals, coding, sponsor compliance, and University policy.

• Monitor team performance and processing timelines, addressing errors or compliance issues proactively.

• Advise Accounting Specialists and SWORPS staff on financial procedures, procurement, travel, and vendor practices.

• Maintain strong internal controls over sensitive processes such as petty cash, gift cards, and individual assistance funds.

• Support procurement and contract activities, including vendor coordination, budget review, and documentation.

• Drive process improvements and reporting that strengthen accuracy, accountability, and audit readiness.

• Partner with BFO leadership, Research Coordinators, PIs, vendors, and University offices to resolve financial and operational issues.

• Assist with year-end close, audits, sponsor reporting, and other special projects as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a related field; 

  • In lieu of a degree an additional four years of combined education, training and /or experience will be accepted.

• Experience:

  • Minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance, procurement, business administration, sponsored-program support, or related administrative work.

  • Experience with financial transactions, policies and procedures as well as in providing direction and support to staff.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 

  • Knowledge of accounting transactions and functions.

  • Skill in leading accounting or administrative staff

  • Skills in communication and organization

  • Ability to work independently and take ownership of problems and processes.

  • Ability to develop and maintain procedures, training and internal controls.

  • Ability to use Microsoft Office, Excel, financial systems, and related business applications.

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-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience:

  • Three or more years of progressively responsible accounting, finance, procurement, sponsored-program support, business operations, or related administrative experience.

  • Experience with supervising staff.

  • Experience working in higher education specifically University of Tennessee, nonprofit, government or sponsored programs,

  • Experience developing procedures, training materials, reports, reconciliation tools, workflow improvements, or internal controls.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 

  • Knowledge of higher education (especially the University of Tennessee), sponsored programs, research administration, public service, nonprofit, or complex grant-funded financial operations.

  • Skill in Excel, DASH or other ERP systems, reporting tools, or process documentation.

  • Ability to lead process improvement and develop staff training.

Work Location 

• Location:  This position is based in Knoxville, Tennessee
  • Position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement consisting of two days of at home work per week.

Compensation and Benefits 

• UT market range: 09 with an anticipated hiring range or $60,000 to $75,000 depending on experience. 
• You can see UT Market Ranges  here
• UT has a full benefits package including comprehensive heath insurances, strong retirements options including employer matching, generous time off including the week between Christmas and New Years, tuition waivers and hundreds of additional discounts and benefits.     
•  Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions 

Applications will be reviewed as received and interviews can begin as soon as 7 days from posting.

Interested individuals should provide the following:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

About The College/Department/Division 

 Since 1975, the Social Work Office of Research and Public Service (SWORPS) has served as the community outreach arm of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville's College of Social Work — partnering with public, private, and nonprofit organizations across Tennessee and beyond. Our mission is to build partnerships that leverage applied research, technology, and human connection to improve lives, guided by a vision of thriving communities with improved outcomes for all.

Now celebrating 50 years of impact, SWORPS continues to be guided by five core values: Innovation, Access, Understanding, Collaboration, and Integrity. Joining SWORPS means becoming part of a mission-driven team that bridges communities and transforms lives — not just through our work with partner agencies, but through hands-on community engagement across the state.

Our team — proudly known as "SWORPees" — is organized into divisions focused on Applied Research & Evaluation, Field-Based Services, and Technology & Development, all supported by a dedicated business office that keeps our operations running smoothly.

Learn more about SWORPS and some of our programs and resources by visiting our webpage: https://www.sworps.tennessee.edu/