Associate Director-Sponsored Award Accounting

University of Tennessee; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 68,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Tennessee seeks an Associate Director of Sponsored Award Accounting to lead sponsored award accounting operations and supervise the accountant ladder, with defined approval authority over transactions affecting sponsored funds.

The role approves non-salary transfers, salary transfers with Payroll, reconciles sponsored receivables monthly, and ensures timely, compliant reporting to sponsors. Requires strong knowledge of Uniform Guidance and internal controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or a related field (transcript required).
• Master's degree preferred; transcripts required.
• CPA license preferred.

Responsibilities

• Directs sponsored award accounting operations and supervises the accountant ladder.
• Approves non-salary transfers and ensures documentation, timeliness, allowability, and explanation adequacy.
• Approves salary/wage transfers with Payroll coordination.
• Oversees monthly reconciliation of sponsored receivables and resolves unreconciled balances.
• Reviews financial reports and invoices before sponsor certification.

Skills

Uniform Guidance

Cost principles

Internal controls

Staff supervision

Auditor communication

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Market Range: 14

Hiring Salary: $6,123.04 - $8,572.25/Monthly

The Associate Director Sponsored Award Accounting directs sponsored award accounting operations, supervises the Sponsored Award Accountant ladder, and holds defined approval authority over transactions affecting sponsored funds.

Approves non-salary cost transfers affecting sponsored and cost share funds, confirming documentation, timeliness, allowability, and adequacy of explanation.

Approves salary and wage cost transfers affecting sponsored funds in coordination with Payroll.

Allocates award portfolio based on complexity and workload, adjusting assignments as award volume and mix change.

Approves financial reports and invoices prepared by accountants prior to certification to the sponsor, above the delegated accountant threshold.

Oversees monthly reconciliation of sponsored receivables and resolution of outstanding or unreconciled balances.

Oversees accurate establishment of sponsored awards based on approved award documentation.

Serves as the escalation point for complex sponsor and departmental financial issues beyond the accountant level.

Coordinates with Research Administration when award terms require clarification rather than independently interpreting executed agreements.

Provides sponsored programs receivable balances and supporting reconciling schedules for annual financial statement preparation in coordination with the Controller.

Monitors invoice aging, unbilled balances, and collection status and directs appropriate follow-up and intervention.

Conducts quality reviews of financial reports and award closeouts and uses finding to strengthen staff training and performance.

Maintains effective backup coverage to ensure continuity of award administration.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. (Master's Degree preferred.) (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)

EXPERIENCE

Five (5) years of related responsible grants and contracts accounting experience; OR Master's Degree and three (3) years of related responsible grants and contracts accounting experience; OR a combination of related education and work experience to equal nine (9) years. (Certified Public Accountant license preferred.)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Expert knowledge of Uniform Guidance, cost principles, and allowability determination.

Knowledge of institutional accounting policy, indirect cost recovery, and cost share requirements.

Knowledge of internal control principles including segregation of duties and approval authority.

Skill in supervising professional accounting staff.

Ability to make and document approval decisions under regulatory and time pressure.

Ability to explain institutional practice to auditors and sponsors.

WORK SCHEDULE

This position may occasionally be required to work weekends and evenings.