Financial Specialist - VolCard and Vending - UTK

This position provides comprehensive financial and operational support by leading advanced reconciliations across multiple institutional ledgers, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and strong internal controls. The role monitors financial performance through variance analysis, manages daily transaction balancing across systems, and resolves complex discrepancies to maintain data integrity. Responsibilities include developing and enhancing financial reporting tools, overseeing cash management and deposit processes, and supporting transparency and audit readiness. Additionally, the position serves as backup to the VolCard Supervisor, assists staff, and handles credential-related functions, while contributing to budgeting, forecasting, and year-end close activities in alignment with organizational and strategic financial objectives.

Financial Reconciliation and Account Oversight

Independently perform advanced financial reconciliations across multiple institutional ledgers within the DASH system, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and compliance with GAAP and internal control standards. Serve as a key point of accountability for financial oversight by conducting detailed variance analysis and monitoring ledger-to-budget performance for Campus Vending revenue and expense accounts, VolCard Office returned checks, and doubtful accounts, identifying trends, assessing financial risk, and recommending corrective actions to support informed decision-making.

Daily Transaction Reconciliation and Discrepancy Resolution

Perform daily reconciliation and balancing of Meal Plan and Stored Value Card (SVC) transactions between Campus Gold and the Meal Plan Manager system, investigating variances and implementing timely resolutions to ensure data integrity across platforms. Conduct in-depth research and analysis to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve complex financial discrepancies.

Financial Reporting and Cash Management

Design, develop, and continuously improve financial tracking and reporting tools, including complex spreadsheet models for VolCard accounts, to enhance transparency, audit readiness, and decision-making capabilities. Oversee and execute daily cash management functions, including the accurate entry of deposits into ORT (Online Receipting Tool), ensuring strict adherence to established internal controls, documentation standards, and policy-driven deadlines.

Operational Support, Credential Processing, and Customer Service

Acts as the designated backup to the VolCard Supervisor. In the Supervisor’s absence, this position supports front-line staff and student employees as needed, ensures the accuracy of data, and provides resource materials to management upon request. Responsibilities also include performing credential-related functions such as processing DASH documentation, managing billing, producing credentials, and completing reconciliation activities. Participates in a secondary rotation supporting VolCard front-line operations, including responding to phone inquiries and providing direct customer service.

Budget Development and Year-End Financial Reporting

Play a critical role in the annual budgeting cycle by providing data related to annual expenses on various accounts and preparing supporting documentation that informs budget development and resource allocation decisions. Identify and question expenditures that are out of the ordinary. Maintain accountability to the Budget and Finance Office and Controller’s Office by managing year-end financial close activities related to assigned accounts, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting.

Required Qualifications

Education/Experience:

3 years of progressively responsible financial/accounting experience

OR an associate's degree with 1 year of experience.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

This position is required to have advanced Microsoft Office Suite knowledge, specifically in Excel, Outlook, and Teams.

Needs the ability to evaluate data in Excel by creating formulas and analyzing formulas that are already in place.

Must have the ability to learn DASH Reporting and Entry, and the ability to make sound decisions on the needs of staff, faculty, and students.

Has the ability to identify and resolve accounts payable and receivable discrepancies.

Needs knowledge of current and previous phone operating systems.

Ability to maintain focus in open-concept office with frequent interruptions.

Preferred Qualifications

Education/Experience:

Prefer a bachelor's degree in business/accounting with experience in a campus environment.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Extensive knowledge of Excel. Preferred knowledge of Banner, LDAP, Campus Gold, ID Production, and DASH. Preferred knowledge of reconciling ledgers. Campus Environment knowledge. This position will need strong Accounting Skills.

Work Location

Location: Knoxville, TN

Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

UT market range: MR07

Anticipated hiring range: $50,000 - $53,000

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 7/20/2026

Resume

Cover Letter

About The College/Department/Division The VolCard serves as the passport to campus. A campus identification and access credential for students, staff, and faculty, the VolCard is accessible via mobile devices. The VolCard grants entry to housing facilities, dining services, academic buildings, and campus events such as graduation. It includes a declining balance account that can be used at vending machines, on-campus meal locations and POD stores, off-campus merchants including grocery stores, and at VolShop locations. The VolCard Office oversees the issuance and management of the credential, ensuring smooth and reliable service. Additionally, the office is responsible for managing vending services across campus.