Financial Operations Specialist - Digital Learning - UTK
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
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Job summary
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is seeking a Financial Operations Specialist for Digital Learning to manage financial transactions, accounting records, and travel administration. The role emphasizes accuracy, policy compliance, and proactive process improvements within the Finance & Administration team.
The position requires relevant education and experience, with knowledge of accounts payable, procurement, travel, and contract administration, and proficiency in Excel and enterprise
Qualifications
- Associate’s degree with an equivalent combination of education and 2-3 years of progressively responsible experience.
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, public administration, or a related field.
- Experience interpreting and applying policies, procedures, and internal controls while exercising sound professional judgment.
- Experience managing multiple priorities in a customer-focused environment requiring accuracy, responsiveness, and attention to detail.
- Experience collaborating across departments to resolve issues, improve processes, and deliver high-quality operational support.
- Experience using enterprise financial systems and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
Responsibilities
- Process invoices, journal entries, purchase orders, cash deposits, and related financial transactions.
- Maintain the integrity of vendor, asset, and financial records by ensuring transactions are complete, appropriately documented, and accurately coded.
- Reconcile financial records, identify discrepancies, investigate root causes, and recommend appropriate corrective action.
- Monitor financial workflows and proactively follow up on outstanding approvals, documentation, or actions necessary to prevent delays.
- Recognize process inefficiencies and recommend practical improvements that strengthen internal controls and improve customer service.
- Serve as a trusted operational resource for Finance & Administration by anticipating needs rather than simply responding to requests.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Knoxville, TN, United States
The Finance & Operations Coordinator serves as an operational partner within Digital Learning's Finance & Administration team. The position is responsible for the successful execution of accounts payable, travel, procurement, contracts, compliance, and related financial operations. Working collaboratively with colleagues across the Finance & Administration team and the university, the position exercises sound judgment, proactively advances work, and ensures financial processes are completed accurately, timely, and in accordance with university policy. The individual that gravitates toward this role will continuously strengthen Finance & Administration operations by identifying recurring issues, translating experience into improved processes and enhancing resources that enable others to be successful.
Serves as the operational owner for Digital Learning's financial transaction processes, ensuring financial activities are executed accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with university policy. Exercises sound professional judgment to identify issues, resolve routine matters independently, and proactively advance work to completion.
- Process invoices, journal entries, purchase orders, cash deposits, and related financial transactions accurately and in compliance with university policy.
- Maintain the integrity of vendor, asset, and financial records by ensuring transactions are complete, appropriately documented, and accurately coded.
- Reconcile financial records, identify discrepancies, investigate root causes, and recommend appropriate corrective action.
- Monitor financial workflows and proactively follow up on outstanding approvals, documentation, or actions necessary to prevent delays.
- Recognize process inefficiencies and recommend practical improvements that strengthen internal controls and improve customer service.
- Serve as a trusted operational resource for Finance & Administration by anticipating needs rather than simply responding to requests.
Serves as Digital Learning's subject matter expert for university travel policies and procedures, partnering with travelers and campus stakeholders to facilitate compliant, efficient travel while minimizing institutional risk.
- Guide employees through travel planning, policy interpretation, and reimbursement requirements.
- Review travel requests and expense reports for policy compliance, accuracy, and completeness.
- Identify potential compliance concerns before expenses are incurred and work collaboratively to resolve them.
- Maintain current knowledge of university travel policies and communicate updates to departmental staff.
- Identify trends in travel errors, exceptions, or workflow challenges and recommend improvements that reduce risk and improve the traveler experience.
Builds productive working relationships with university partners, vendors, faculty, staff, and colleagues through responsive communication, professional judgment, and collaborative problem solving.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for vendors and internal customers regarding financial operations.
- Communicate proactively regarding outstanding approvals, payment status, contracts, and workflow issues.
- Resolve routine issues independently while recognizing when leadership engagement is appropriate.
- Represent Digital Learning professionally in interactions with university departments and external partners.
- Deliver exceptional customer service while balancing responsiveness with institutional policy and compliance requirements.
- Maintain documentation that meets audit and university requirements.
- Monitor financial workflows to ensure transactions remain compliant throughout the process.
- Identify potential compliance risks and take appropriate action before issues escalates.
- Support audits by maintaining organized, complete, and readily accessible documentation.
- Recommend improvements that strengthen internal controls and operational effectiveness.
- Continuously evaluate processes for opportunities to improve efficiency, customer service, compliance, and operational effectiveness.
- Participate in implementation of new systems, technologies, and university initiatives.
- Demonstrate curiosity and coachability by applying lessons learned to future work and contributing ideas that strengthen Finance & Administration operations.
Associate’s degree with an equivalent combination of education and 2-3 years of progressively responsible experience.
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, public administration, or a related field
- Experience interpreting and applying policies, procedures, and internal controls while exercising sound professional judgment.
- Experience managing multiple priorities in a customer-focused environment requiring accuracy, responsiveness, and attention to detail.
- Experience collaborating across departments to resolve issues, improve processes, and deliver high-quality operational support.
- Experience using enterprise financial systems and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
- Knowledge of generally accepted business and financial practices, including accounts payable, procurement, travel, contract administration, and financial recordkeeping.
- Knowledge of university policies, procedures, and financial systems, or the ability to quickly develop subject matter expertise.
- Knowledge of internal controls and the importance of maintaining accurate financial records and supporting documentation.
- Knowledge of customer service principles and professional communication practices.
- Professional Judgment
- Evaluates information, policies, and circumstances to make sound decisions within established authority.
- Distinguishes between issues that can be resolved independently and those requiring consultation or escalation.
- Considers downstream operational impacts when making decisions.
- Accurately processes a high volume of financial transactions while maintaining strong attention to detail.
- Identifies discrepancies, investigates issues, and recommends appropriate solutions.
- Balances accuracy, timeliness, and customer service in a dynamic environment.
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.
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, public administration, or a related field
- Experience in higher education, government, or another complex, policy-driven organization.
- Experience with accounts payable, procurement, travel administration, contract administration, or financial operations.
- Experience serving as a subject matter expert for operational processes.
- Experience identifying opportunities for process improvement and implementing operational enhancements.
- Experience developing or refining written procedures, reference materials, or training resources.
- Experience with Oracle's DASH or similar enterprise financial systems.
- Builds productive working relationships with colleagues, vendors, and university partners.
- Communicates clearly and professionally with individuals possessing varying levels of financial knowledge.
- Approaches customer service with professionalism while maintaining policy compliance.
- Recognizes recurring issues and translates experience into process improvements.
- Identifies opportunities to improve operational efficiency, compliance, and the customer experience.
- Adapts readily to changing priorities, technology, and university processes.
- Location: Knoxville, TN
- On-site, with the potential for a hybrid work arrangement following the successful completion of training and or probationary period
- UT market range: MR 06, non-exempt
- Anticipated hiring range: $25-$29 per hour, depending on experience
- Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
- Find more information on UT Benefits here
Digital Learning at UT, is a unit charged with advancing UT’s commitment to discovery, creativity, learning, and engagement, specifically for online learners. Using advanced and innovative technologies, Digital Learning at UT will provide scalable solutions that enhance the online learning experience and reduce barriers to student access and success, providing a tremendous impact to online learners across the state and the nation. At Digital Learning, we want to be bold and impactful, transforming the future of online education through innovative thinking and collaborative problem-solving. Join our dynamic and inclusive Digital Learning team where we take pride in teamwork, excellence, and a shared commitment to shaping the future through education and innovation.
About Us The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service. UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service. UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone. The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine. Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!
- Job Identification
- 9594
- Job Category
- Financial
- Posting Date
- 08/18/2026, 10:18 PM
- Job Schedule
- Full time
- Locations
- 617 W Main Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, US
The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.
Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA (disability), ADEA (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the (EEO). Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the EEO office.
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