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Penn State Job Catalog

Financial Specialist – Professional (PSU2193)

Additional Levels

Job Summary

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.

Representative Duties

  • 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 Matrix

Level:
Professional
Base Description:
– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.
Level Summary:
– Demonstrates baseline working knowledge of routine work tasks. Follows the standard principles and practices. Acts under direct and frequent supervision using established procedures with detailed instructions. Participates as a team member and actively contributes to completion of team goals. Clearly communicates information.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
– None
Fiscal Responsibilities:
– Typically none
Problem Solving:
– Encounters routine problems
– Follows recommended course of action and procedures to resolve problems
Independence of Action:
– Work is closely monitored by supervisor
– Detailed instructions and procedures are provided
– Applies standard operating procedures with limited guidelines for deviation
Communication and Collaboration:
– Typically communicates internally within working unit
– Collaborates closely with team members
– Clearly communicates information, ideas, or instructions verbally and in writing
Salary Structure
  • Comp Grade – 7
  • Minimum – $46,400.00
  • MidPoint – $56,800.00
  • Maximum – $67,300.00
FLSA Exemption Status
Non-Exempt
Minimum Education
Associate's Degree
Minimum Experience
No prior relevant work experience required
Equivalency
Or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Additional Job Requirements