Accounts Receivable Specialist - Institute for Public Service

The University of Tennessee, Institute for Public Services (IPS) Accounts Receivable Specialist provides accounting support for the Institute which is comprised of IPS Administration, the SMART Initiative and 7 Agencies. This position is primarily responsible for managing the day-to-day Accounts Receivable operations for IPS Administration, the SMART Initiative, and the Center for Local Planning as well as providing support, reporting, analysis, and guidance Institute-wide.  The incumbent will work with both unrestricted and restricted funds, therefore knowledge of sponsored projects accounting is preferable.  

Serves as the Institute’s Cash Management focal point which includes several systems/processes: the Online Receipting Tool, Bank transactions, DASH Receivables, Credit Card receipting, the Institute's Learning Management System receipting, etc. 

• Coordinates with each IPS Agency and collects information as needed to make timely monthly and year-end A/R journal entries.
• Manages for review and signature all receivable business contracts for IPS Admin, SMART Initiative, and the Center for Local Planning, and provides direction, guidance, and support to all IPS Agencies regarding receivable contracts. 
• Manages refunds in DASH timely and accurately on unrestricted and restricted funds for IPS Admin, SMART Initiative, and the Center for Local Planning, and provides direction, guidance, and support to all IPS Agencies on their refunds.
• Serve as the Institute’s Effort Certification Process Lead.
• Manages the Effort Certification process IPS Admin, SMART Initiative and the Center for Local Planning and provides direction, guidance, and support to Institute Business Managers in managing their Agencies Effort Certification process and meeting completion deadlines.
• Represents IPS in the DASH ECC Community of Practice and disseminates information, best practices to all Agencies as well as proposes process improvements and develops/delivers related training.
• Enters Sponsored Projects deposits in the DASH un-applied receivables.
• Monitors the Sponsored Projects A/R Aging report for the whole Institute and coordinates with Agencies Business Managers accordingly for timely and accurate sponsor billing.
• Generates monthly Direct Cost share fund balance reports. 
• Keeps accurate information on all program Income entries in DASH receivables.
• Oversees the Labor Distribution process for the Institute, working closely with Agencies' Business Managers and coordinating efforts within DASH.
• Reconciles Labor Distribution clearing accounts to ensure data integrity and timely processing of corrections and adjustments.
• Works closely with the Institute HR, Director of External Funding, and Financial Analyst & Compliance Officer to troubleshoot errors in labor distribution and labor costing processes.
• Provides direction, guidance, and support to Institute Business Managers in making corrections to labor distributions.
• Develops, maintains, and delivers training on the labor distribution process Institute-wide.
• Manages labor schedules for IPS Admin, SMART, and Center for Local Planning personnel.
• Represents IPS in the DASH Community of Practice for Labor Distribution and oversees Institute wide testing and communication of new functionalities in DASH.
• Serves as the Institute-wide focal point and supports all Agencies with applicable taxes on services provided, required forms and reporting.  This includes assisting in completing Revenue Questionnaires and tax forms timely and accurately, advising on required back up documentation such as certificates of exemption, etc.
• Runs/schedules different monitoring and maintenance reports as needed in the areas of operation, and as requested.
• Periodically monitors and develops reports on Institute-wide Gifts and Endowments current operating funds.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma. 
• Experience: Five years of relevant experience, or a combination of relevant education, training, and experience.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Ability to work under limited supervision, drawing conclusions and making judgement guided by outcomes and standards.  Ability to translate raw data into information and knowledge through the development of reports and trend analysis.  Ability to understand university fiscal policy and provide guidance accordingly. Attention to details, problem solving and financial reconciliations skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration.

• Experience: Working experience with an ERP system.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Proficiency with Microsoft Excel.

Work Location: 

• Location: Knoxville, Tennessee

The Institute for Public Service (IPS) supports a formal Alternative Work Arrangement program currently in place and more information can be provided if candidate progresses through the recruitment process.

 
Benefits  

• Find more information on UT Benefits here
  
   

Application Instructions 

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before July 28. 2026.

• Resume
• List of 3 References