Financial Associate: Department of Theatre - UTK

The University of Tennessee Department of Theatre and Clarence Brown Theatre seeks an Accounting Specialist to provide financial management spanning the academic unit as well as the public-facing, revenue-generating Clarence Brown Theatre. The Accounting Specialist will play a crucial role in assisting the business manager to ensure that revenue and expenses are properly accounted for so that all required reporting to various agencies is accurate and timely.

The accounting specialist works closely with the business manager on all financial and compliance matters for Theatre. The Department of Theatre is a complex unit with financial management spanning the academic unit as well as the public-facing, revenue-generating Clarence Brown Theatre (CBT). CBT receives revenue from ticket sales, sponsorships, rental income, grants, and memberships. This position plays a crucial role in assisting the business manager to ensure that revenue and expenses are properly accounted for so that all required reporting to various agencies is accurate and timely. The position is responsible for establishing, implementing, and maintaining departmental guidelines and procedures for procurement cards, travel, and travel cards, including group travel, as well as other front-office-related procedures. The accounting specialist serves as the initial financial contact for both the academic department and the Clarence Brown Theatre.

Financial

• Processes and reconciles financial transactions, including internal transfers, invoices, deposits, production budgets, and accurate allocation of costs to the correct funds, departments, activity codes, and G/L accounts.

• Manages procurement and purchasing operations, verifying and distributing monthly charges, handling purchase orders.

• Supports operational and administrative functions.
  

Travel

• Travel arrangements, and submitting expense reports for faculty, staff, and students.

• Verifies correct funding, enters and submits expense reports as travelers’ delegate, and ensures trip costs remain within approved allocations.

• Manages all stages of guest travel, serves as the departmental contact for UT travel policy questions.
  

Administrative

• Serves as a secondary point of contact for the Theatre administrative office.

• Provides backup support to the Administrative Specialist.

• Assists faculty and staff with administrative and financial office needs and serves as backup for payroll and HR transactions when needed.

Required Qualifications

• Education : High School Diploma

• Experience : 2 years accounting/financial experience

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Conceptual knowledge/understanding of basic accounting principles
  • Demonstrated knowledge of a complex accounting system such as Oracle, knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel
  • Demonstrated ability to synthesize, summarize and communicate complex information
  • Demonstrated creative problem-solving ability
  • Demonstrated command of spreadsheet and word processing software
  • Ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, students and other campus offices/departments
  • Ability to prioritize, multi-task and work under pressure with time-sensitive deadlines
  • Ability to work both independently and as a team member

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 : Associate degree

• Experience : 2-3 years relevant experience in higher education

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Knowledge of complex accounting and financial systems.
  • Knowledge of contracts and purchasing agreements.
    

Work Location

• Location: University of Tennessee

• Onsite
  

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR06
• Anticipated hiring range: $44,000 - $48,000

Application Instructions

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

• Resume

• Cover Letter
  

About The Department

The mission of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville Department of Theatre and the Clarence Brown Theatre Company is to educate artist, scholars, and creative citizens through rigorous undergraduate and graduate training fully integrated with the work of a professional theatre residence. Together, we combine academic study, creative research, and hands-on professional practice to prepare students for meaningful lives and careers grounded in artistic excellence, ethical responsibility, and broad access to opportunity.