Accounting Specialist: Social Work & Public Research

The Accounting Specialist is a key member of the SWORPS business office, supporting the College of Social Work’s applied research mission. This position ensures accurate and timely financial transactions, compliance with university and sponsor requirements, and clear guidance to staff across the department. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong attention to detail, a commitment to accuracy, and a customer-service mindset. SWORPS is a collaborative, service-oriented team, and we are seeking someone who will thrive in a fast-paced, friendly environment where responsiveness, teamwork, and professionalism are essential.

The Accounting Specialist for the Tennessee Families Thrive (TFT) project will be responsible for managing and overseeing financial operations to ensure efficient and compliant processing of funds within this grant-funded initiative. This role supports the financial integrity of the project by maintaining accurate records, implementing procedural standards, and ensuring alignment with organizational policies and funding requirements. The Accounting Specialist will collaborate closely with program staff to facilitate financial processes that advance household stability and economic mobility for families served under the TFT initiative.

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

This position is anticipated to have a start date of August 1^st, 2026. 

The Accounting Specialist II responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Accounting & Reconciliation

• Process and reconcile accounting transactions including AP/AR invoices, reimbursements, deposits, vendor creation, petty cash, and transfer vouchers.
• Reconcile monthly ledgers for departmental, research, and gift accounts, ensuring accuracy and compliance with policy.
• Maintain chart of accounts and project SPN budget and personnel dashboards.
• Maintain accurate documentation and support audit readiness.
• Gather and submit expenditure documents for monthly reconciliation of chart of accounts and sponsored program accounts.

Travel & Procurement

• Serve as the primary travel contact for the unit, providing responsive and professional support to staff.
• Process reimbursements, train new staff on travel procedures, and communicate policy changes.
• Manage purchasing processes including procurement card activity, requisitions and gift card requests
• Reconcile, review and approve monthly procurement cards, travel cards and University issue OneCards.

Policy Guidance/Communication

• Act as a resource for financial best practices, policies, and procedures.
• Communicate policy updates clearly and in a timely manner to staff across SWORPS and the College of Social Work.
• Contribute to a positive, service-oriented environment by supporting colleagues and responding effectively to requests.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Associate degree or 2 years of progressively responsible accounting and administrative experience. 

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 
  • Knowledge of basic accounting principles.
  • Strong customer service orientation – responsive, friendly and effective in working with diverse stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated attention to detail and accuracy in financial transactions.
  • Ability to thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced service organization.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn new financial systems.

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

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration or related field
• Experience: Experience in an academic environment
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Knowledge of UT fiscal policies and procedures

Work Location 

• Location: Knoxville, Position requires in-person reporting but has the possibility for being hybrid and working from home two days a week

Compensation and Benefits 

• UT market range: 06, salary will align with qualifications and experience; anticipated hiring range is on the high side of the market range midpoint.
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• 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 

 The Social Work Office of Research and Public Service (SWORPS) is an applied research center of the University of Tennessee College of Social Work (CSW).  We are a dynamic and close-knit interdisciplinary team of individuals with a shared vision of thriving communities with equitable outcomes for all. We do that by building partnerships that leverage research, technology, and human connection to improve lives in Tennessee and beyond.

Over the past fifty years, SWORPS has worked with local nonprofits such as the United Way of Greater Knoxville, University of Tennessee departments and faculty researchers, state agencies such as the Tennessee Department of Human Services, and federal agencies like the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Our annual portfolio consists of 25-40 sponsored projects spanning a wealth of different content areas, but one common thread -each project contributes one more building block for thriving communities with equitable outcomes for all.

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