Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Accounting

Accounting Support

The Accounting Associate supports the financial operations of the University by performing a variety of accounting tasks with accuracy and attention to detail; is responsible for maintaining and updating financial records, processing invoices, assisting with billing functions, and generating financial reports; verifies, reconciles, and corrects financial data to ensure compliance with University policies and applicable accounting standards; serves as a point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, providing guidance and support on accounting-related inquiries and procedures.

• Review accounting records for accuracy, completeness, and proper classification and coding of income and expenditures
• Identify accounting discrepancies; make necessary corrections and update financial databases accordingly
• Analyze and approve journal entries in accordance with established financial policies and procedures
• Coordinate with suppliers, departments, and other stakeholders to resolve billing issues, reconcile statements, and provide payment documentation or clarification
• Compile and organize financial data to support the preparation of reports for both internal use and external reporting requirements
• Monitor compliance with applicable financial recording standards, University policies, and accounting best practices
• Enter, retrieve, and maintain accurate financial information using computerized accounting software systems
• Support the generation of billing documents and coordination of financial mailings, as needed
• Provide general guidance to departments and customers regarding accounting policies and procedures
• May supervise and train assigned staff, and provide input to their performance evaluation

Level:

– Intermediate Support

Base Description:

– Completes administrative activities and tasks of a technical or functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates ability to perform intermediate tasks in defined skill areas. Demonstrates intermediate knowledge of internal procedures. Works under general supervision, performing assignments that may be varied and sometimes difficult. Supports team decisions and follows through with team responsibilities. Interprets and communicates information clearly and accurately. Demonstrates intermediate problem–solving skills.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– May provide basic direction to lower level support staff

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Handles routine financial transactions
– May validate and pay invoices

Problem Solving:

– Encounters generally routine problems; occasionally faces more complex and/or varied problems
– Typically follows recommended course of action and procedures to resolve problems
– Applies knowledge of institutional policies and procedures in determining course of action

Independence of Action:

– Work is generally monitored by supervisor
– Detailed instructions and procedures are generally provided
– Uses available guidelines to make appropriate adaptations to routine situations and refers other situations to supervisor

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally within working unit and/or the University
– May communicate with external audiences for scheduling/coordination
– Collaborates closely with team members
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly and accurately both verbally and in written materials that may be intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 5
• Minimum – $38,300.00
• MidPoint – $46,900.00
• Maximum – $55,500.00

• Attention To Detail
• Business acumen
• Customer Service
• Data Analysis
• Data entry
• Document management
• Financial analysis
• Office administration

• General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
• High School (HS)