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.

Finance

The Financial Specialist supports the unit and Financial Officer in providing oversight of budget and fiscal matters. Specialist responsibilities include advising department(s)/unit(s) on budget management, financial controls, and policy and procedure; providing and/or coordinating training for employees working with unit budgets; establishing, documenting, and implementing processes, procedures, systems, and standards for the efficient operation of the office and across the business areas.

• Responsible for reconciliation and management of ledger and clearing accounts for administrative area; make adjustments as needed and resolve problems
• Compile data for analysis and forecasting purposes; run reports as needed for administrative area
• Provide both formal and informal training across administrative area
• Review and approve human resource actions; assist with position management; oversee wage payroll processing and management, and prepare advances; assure deadlines are met and appropriate forms are used
• Maintain controls for administrative area; manage authorizations; assign roles as needed; approve routine journal vouchers and prepare complex correcting entries
• Maintain documented records supporting financial forecasts used in the rate and budget area
• Provide review and approval of financial documents, transactions, construction contracts, change orders, etc.
• Provide project funding and cost analysis along with guidance to stakeholders as requested
• Assign budget sources for expenditures to ensure visibility of spend on special budgets
• Analyze and verify funding sources to ensure appropriate spending and billing practices
• Prepare forecasts and analysis of trends in general business conditions and other related areas
• Responsible for performing assigned audit functions; assist with annual processes for administrative area, including general salary increase, initial operating budget preparation, inventory and carry-forward analysis
• Review and approve business expenses and ensure compliance with University policies
• Prepare financial summaries and any other specialized reports for presentation

Level:

– Senior Supervisor

Base Description:

– Supervises direct reports, but primarily completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge to perform own work; spends majority of time on tasks related to own job responsibilities. May demonstrate subject matter expertise. Demonstrates intermediate to advanced planning, organizing, directing, and facilitating skills. Demonstrates the ability to coach assigned employees. Assigns and reviews completed work to verify accuracy, quality, and adherence to professional standards. Trains, coaches, mentors, and motivates staff. Anticipates potential problems, issues, and opportunities; researches and recommends solutions within defined policies. May develop creative recommendations for solving problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Typically oversees at least 2 full–time direct reports or equivalent team of part–time and/or student workers (for Professional track, performs work at the Senior Professional level or higher)

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets for specific area and/or grant(s)
– May assist in planning and forecasting budgets

Problem Solving:

– Encounters moderately complex problems
– Applies general precedents and practices and specialized knowledge and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations and impact of potential solutions
– Anticipates potential problems and recommends possible solutions within general guidelines

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on moderately complex work assignments, reviews progress, and evaluates results
– Organizes work of direct reports and sets team priorities
– Reviews the work of others to verify accuracy, quality, and adherence to professional standards

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
– Collaborates closely with team members; may interact with other staff outside of area
– Utilizes a communication style that is appropriate for a given situation
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution

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