Accounting Specialist, Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine - UTIA

The College of Veterinary Medicine invites applicants to apply for the position of Accounting Specialist. The Accounting Specialist position provides comprehensive financial, administrative, and clerical support to the Large Animal Clinical Sciences department and Veterinary Social Work program. This position is responsible for the end-to-end processing of financial transactions, including procurement, payment processing, travel coordination, and account reconciliation, while ensuring compliance with university policies and maintaining the integrity of financial records. Serves as a key resource to faculty, staff, and leadership by facilitating efficient financial operations and supporting departmental business needs.

Procurement, Accounts Payable, and Financial Processing:

• Coordinate and process all departmental purchases, including clinic, research, laboratory, farm, and office supplies. 
• Establish and maintain vendor relationships, including onboarding new vendors and ensuring tax-exempt compliance.
• Review invoices for accuracy and completeness; reconcile invoices with packing slips and purchase documentation.
• Assign appropriate departmental and general ledger accounts for all transactions.
• Process invoices and contract payments in DASH in accordance with university policies.
• Reconcile four departmental procurement cards and one travel card, ensuring proper documentation and charge accuracy.
• Process incoming shipments, manage returns, and coordinate vendor credits or RMAs.
• Process interdepartmental transfer vouchers.

Cash Handling and Account Tracking:

• Process petty cash transactions for faculty and staff.
• Maintain and update departmental research account spreadsheets.
• Ensure accurate and organized fiscal year record-keeping for all financial accounts.

Travel Administration:

• Initiate and process domestic and international travel requests.
• Prepare and submit Concur expense reports and reimbursements.
• Manage departmental travel card usage and ensure compliance with travel policies.
• Assist travelers with documentation and submission requirements.
• Maintain tracking spreadsheets for departmental travel activity.

Employee Support and Departmental Programs:

• Coordinate ordering and tracking of clinic clothing and employee allowances.
• Manage vendor relationships for embroidered apparel and branded materials.
• Track and administer clothing allowance eligibility for non-exempt staff.
• Process taxable fringe benefit forms for applicable employees.
• Assist with departmental marketing and promotional item orders.

Shipping and Logistics Support:

• Maintain departmental FedEx account and process related invoices.
• Assign appropriate accounts for shipping charges.
• Assist with shipment preparation and label creation as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience: At least two (2) years of relevant experience in accounting, finance, or administrative support.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Knowledge of accounting principles, financial processes, and office procedures. Knowledge of DASH or similar financial management systems. Skill in organizing, prioritizing, and managing multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment. Skill in effective written and verbal communication with diverse stakeholders. Skill in using Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, Outlook). Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Ability to analyze information, solve problems, and ensure accuracy in financial transactions. Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.

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: Experience working in higher education or a complex organizational environment. Experience with DASH, Concur, or similar financial and expense systems. Experience managing procurement cards and/or travel processing.

Work Location:

Knoxville, Tennessee      

On-Site

Compensation and Benefits: 

• UT market range: 06
• Anticipated hiring range: $40K-$50K
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions 

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

About The College

The UT College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM), located in Knoxville, was established by an act of the Tennessee Legislature in 1974 and is part of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture.

UTCVM is one of 33 veterinary colleges in the United States and provides opportunities for Tennessee students while serving pet owners and the livestock industry as well as protecting public health, enhancing medical knowledge and generating economic benefits to the state and nation.