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:

– Intermediate Professional

Base Description:

– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a 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 serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers or volunteers

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– 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 larger unit goals, priorities, and related 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
– Collaborates closely with team members
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly and accurately both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 8
• Minimum – $51,000.00
• MidPoint – $62,500.00
• Maximum – $74,000.00