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 is responsible for overseeing financial data, conducting financial analyses, and preparing reports; supports financial planning, budgeting, grant management, and regulatory compliance; plays a key part in ensuring the financial health for the organization in support of the University's mission. Positions in this job profile require a strong understanding of accounting principles, financial modeling, and business operations.

• Prepare and manage organizational budgets, including project and grant-specific budgets; prepare and review financial reports and forecasts
• Analyze financial data and develop financial models to support decision-making
• Verify funding sources to ensure appropriate spending and billing practices; analyze and monitor spending against restricted and unrestricted funds to ensure compliance with requirements
• Track and report on grants, contracts, and program expenditures
• Prepare monthly financial statements, budget vs. actual reports, and cash flow forecasts
• Provide project funding and cost analysis along with guidance to stakeholders as requested
• Identify areas for cost savings and process improvements
• Maintain accurate records of financial transactions and ensure proper documentation for audits
• Advise on budget management, financial controls, policy/procedure; coordinate and deliver training to administrative staff
• Collaborate with various departments to gather financial data and provide insights
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of regulatory documents
• Support the annual audit process and liaise with external auditors
• Ensure compliance with university policies, procedures, and financial regulations
• Recommend and implement improvements to financial policies and procedures
• May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Level:

– Principal Professional

Base Description:

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

Level Summary:

– Displays mastery of defined skill areas/applications, principles, theories and practices. Evaluates and enhances existing practices. Recognizes emerging trends in area of expertise. Works independently on complex or strategic assignments. Directs and delegates appropriate tasks to others. Implements strategies to ensure achievement of initiatives. Prepares written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on complex issues and deliver to broad audiences. Identifies and implements innovative solutions to important, highly complex 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:

– Validates and pays invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets and funding
– May plan and forecast budgets

Problem Solving:

– Encounters complex and novel problems
– Applies policies, practices, 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 complex or strategic assignments
– Uses existing practices as guidelines as well as working knowledge to determine specific work methods
– Carries out work activities independently, with supervisor available to resolve problems
– Reviews work of others to verify technical soundness

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates with both internal and external audiences
– Collaborates closely with team members and area leads across the University
– Prepares written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on complex issues and delivers to a broad variety of audiences
– Establishes and maintains networks to facilitate successful communication among units

• Comp Grade – 12
• Minimum – $76,700.00
• MidPoint – $95,900.00
• Maximum – $115,100.00

• Accounting information systems
• Attention To Detail
• Consulting
• Data Analysis
• Document management
• Financial analysis
• Forecasting
• Organizational training
• Policy analysis
• Process management
• Report writing