Accounting Manager, UT Research Foundation

Reporting to the Budget Director, the Accounting Manager provides professional-level financial analysis, reporting, and advisory support for UTRF's non-profit and for-profit subsidiaries and special projects. The role addresses complex accounting and financial issues requiring in-depth analysis of multiple variables and the application of professional judgment within broadly defined GAAP, UTRF, and UT policies. The position exercises latitude in determining analytical approaches, financial projections, and reporting methodologies, consulting with leadership to interpret overarching policies and ensure financial integrity, compliance, and solvency.

Specific duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Analyze and prepare complex GAAP financial statements for multi-entity, multi-segment non-profit and for-profit organizations, applying professional judgment to address non-routine accounting issues and ensure accurate financial representation.
• Develop and analyze budget projections and financial forecasts, evaluating trends, risks, and variances to support informed decision-making by leadership and subsidiary boards.
• Oversee and analyze payroll, tax, and benefit-related financial activity, reviewing externally prepared tax filings (Forms 1120 and 990) for accuracy, compliance, and alignment with organizational reporting requirements.
• Prepare, analyze, and present complex financial reports, budget projections, and budget-to-actual analyses to the UTRF President, subsidiary Boards, Board Chairs, and subsidiary CEOs, providing professional financial insight to support governance and strategic decision-making.
• Serve as the primary financial liaison for external audits, exercising professional judgment to interpret accounting standards, and ensure clean audit outcomes for each subsidiary and special project.

Bachelor's degree and a minimum 3 years experience in preparing GAAP financial statements.

Additional skills, experiences and qualifications include:

• Proficiency with QuickBooks desktop and Excel
• Requires extensive knowledge of GAAP
• Ability to apply principles to a wide variety of transactions and accounting problems.
• Ability to work independently on complex transactions requiring in -depth analysis while exercising good judgment in the performance of all work assignments while handling confidential and sensitive data.
• Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills to prioritize work to meet stringent deadlines and handle urgent matters while staying on task with other assigned duties.
• Communicate effectively inside and outside of department/organization.
• Ability to use disparate software systems effectively.
• Ability to be positive team player.
• Ability to work in a open office environment.

Preferred

• Experience working in a CPA firm preparing compilations
• 3 years experience as an Accounting Manager
• QuickBooks Desktop expert
• Ability to analyze financial statements effectively

Application process

For full consideration, applications should be accompanied by a letter of interest, a resume, and three professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately.

Benefits

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits and much more. Additionally, Tennessee residents do not pay a state income tax. For more information of the University of Tennessee's benefits, visit

The University of Tennessee System is the state's oldest higher education institution and preeminent public university. The UT System is comprised of campuses at Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski and Martin; the Health Science Center at Memphis; and the statewide Institute of Agriculture and Institute for Public Service. With a presence in each of Tennessee's 95 counties and through the combined force of education, research and outreach, the University serves students, business and industry, schools, governments, organizations and residents statewide.