Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.
Missing levels within the leveling matrix can be added based on business need.

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Research Accounting

The Research Accountant supports the financial administration and operational management of the University's sponsored research portfolio throughout the post-award lifecycle; manages financial activities for grants and contracts from account setup through closeout, including monitoring expenditures, preparing invoices and financial reports, reconciling accounts, and ensuring accurate financial reporting; supports institutional oversight of sponsored project finances by conducting financial analysis, monitoring compliance with sponsor regulations and university policies, coordinating audit activities, and identifying operational or compliance risks across research accounts; works collaboratively with principal investigators, departmental research administrators, sponsors, and central administrative units; provides guidance on financial management of sponsored awards, resolves complex accounting issues, and promotes best practices in post-award administration.

• Administer sponsored research awards across the full lifecycle, ensuring financial activities align with sponsor terms, institutional policies, and regulatory requirements
• Monitor grant expenditures, review financial transactions, and perform account reconciliations to ensure accuracy, allowability, and proper cost classification
• Prepare and submit sponsor invoices, financial reports, and reimbursement requests; manage accounts receivable and resolve billing or payment issues
• Maintain accurate and complete award data and financial records within enterprise financial systems
• Conduct financial analysis of sponsored project activity to identify trends, variances, and potential risks
• Interpret sponsor guidelines and institutional policies; provide guidance to departments on post-award financial management expectations
• Support internal and external audits, sponsor reviews, and compliance assessments by preparing documentation and responding to inquiries
• Serve as a liaison among research accounting, departmental administrators, sponsors, auditors, and other stakeholders to resolve financial issues
• Recommend and implement improvements to financial processes, reporting tools, internal controls, and administrative procedures to enhance efficiency and compliance
• Contribute to institutional reporting, data quality efforts, and process standardization initiatives
• May provide guidance or oversight of specific processes or workflows to ensure consistency and adherence to established standards
• May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Level:

– Senior Professional

Base Description:

– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates advanced knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field. Works independently on moderately complex work assignments under limited oversight, reviews progress, and evaluates results. Monitors work and projects ensuring timeliness, quality, and efficiency. Identifies and mobilizes resources to achieve outcomes. Trains others and reviews progress with management. Presents ideas, concepts, and instructions in a clear and persuasive manner. Develops new techniques, concepts, and approaches and applies them to moderately complex and strategic and/or operational issues.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Indirect supervisor for other full–time employees
– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers, volunteers, or a full–time employee

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets and funding

Problem Solving:

– Encounters moderately complex problems
– Applies specialized knowledge and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations, and impact of potential solutions

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on moderately complex work assignments, reviews progress, and evaluates results
– May set priorities and organize work within general guidelines established by supervisor
– May review the work of others to verify accuracy and conformance to required procedures and special instructions

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally within working unit and the University
– Communicates with external audiences for scheduling/coordination
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Coaches others in using appropriate strategies for resolving conflict; negotiating reasonable compromises; and proposing and evaluating possible solutions
– Give candid and constructive feedback to others to influence and persuade managers and employees to accept and implement findings and recommendations

• Comp Grade – 11
• Minimum – $68,200.00
• MidPoint – $85,200.00
• Maximum – $102,300.00