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 Accounting Manager provides leadership and operational oversight for the financial administration of the University's sponsored research portfolio; oversees post-award financial operations including billing, accounts receivable, financial reporting, grant setup, and award closeout activities; ensures compliance with federal regulations, sponsor requirements, and University policies by developing procedures, strengthening internal controls, and monitoring financial and labor-related activities associated with sponsored projects; leads efforts to analyze financial data, identify risks, and implement improvements that enhance institutional oversight of research finances; works collaboratively with research administrators, principal investigators, central administrative offices, and sponsors to provide guidance on complex financial issues; supports audit and regulatory activities, promotes consistent practices across the University's research enterprise.

• Lead and oversee research accounting operations across the sponsored award lifecycle, including billing, accounts receivable, reimbursements, grant setup, master data management, and award closeout
• Ensure accurate and timely invoicing, financial reporting, and collection of sponsored receivables in compliance with sponsor requirements, institutional policies, and applicable regulations
• Interpret sponsor terms and university policies; provide guidance on the financial administration of grants and contracts to internal stakeholders
• Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and internal controls to support compliant and efficient post-award financial management
• Monitor sponsored project financial activity, including expenditures, receivables, and labor-related costs to identify risks and support financial integrity
• Oversee labor-related activities such as payroll distributions, effort reporting and certification, cost transfers, and sponsor-imposed salary limitations
• Analyze financial data to assess portfolio health, identify trends and risks, and produce reports, dashboards, and metrics for institutional leadership
• Coordinate internal and external audits, sponsor reviews, and compliance inquiries; oversee preparation of documentation and support implementation of corrective actions
• Serve as a key liaison among research administrators, central offices, sponsors, auditors, and university leadership to resolve complex financial issues
• Lead initiatives to enhance research finance systems, reporting tools, workflows, and internal controls to improve efficiency, transparency, and compliance
• Develop and deliver training, guidance, and outreach to strengthen financial practices across the research administration community
• Lead and develop research accounting staff, including assigning work, managing performance, providing coaching, and supporting professional growth

Level:

– Senior Manager

Base Description:

– Manages direct reports where primary duty is the management of a working unit.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates advanced skills in critical functions related to unit's success. Demonstrates advanced knowledge of emerging technologies and processes. Monitors completed work of others to ensure effectiveness and adherence to requirements. Sets clear expectations and holds team accountable. Establishes a shared team/unit vision. Demonstrates ability to evaluate and enhance team/unit practices that promote a strong commitment to inclusionary practices. Coaches others using appropriate strategies. Demonstrates diplomacy. Demonstrates ability to serve as liaison between senior-level management and staff. Resolves complex, controversial, or unprecedented issues and problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Oversees large team or teams of individual contributors and/or supervisors/managers
– Leads a department or functional area

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Monitors and tracks large budgets
– Plans, forecasts, and/or develops budgets
– May approve budgets for specific area
– Typically has final signature authority for specific area

Problem Solving:

– Encounters highly varied and complex problems that impacts the team and possibly the unit
– Develops creative and/or novel approaches to resolve problems that are difficult in nature
– Independently resolves complex and/or unprecedented issues and problems

Independence of Action:

– Work results are not clearly defined
– Generally sets own goals and determines how to accomplish results with few or no guidelines to follow
– Monitors completed work of others to ensure soundness of approach, effectiveness of meeting requirements, the feasibility of recommendations and adherences to requirements
– Delegates more advanced tasks to others

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates with both internal and external audiences
– Collaborates closely with team members and various areas across the University
– Fosters collaboration between units and engages others' coordinated efforts to reach desired outcomes with broad scope

• Comp Grade – 14
• Minimum – $97,100.00
• MidPoint – $121,400.00
• Maximum – $145,700.00