Penn State Job Catalog

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Accounting Support

The Accounting Associate supports the financial operations of the University by performing a variety of accounting tasks with accuracy and attention to detail; is responsible for maintaining and updating financial records, processing invoices, assisting with billing functions, and generating financial reports; verifies, reconciles, and corrects financial data to ensure compliance with University policies and applicable accounting standards; serves as a point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, providing guidance and support on accounting-related inquiries and procedures.

• Review accounting records for accuracy, completeness, and proper classification and coding of income and expenditures
• Identify accounting discrepancies; make necessary corrections and update financial databases accordingly
• Analyze and approve journal entries in accordance with established financial policies and procedures
• Coordinate with suppliers, departments, and other stakeholders to resolve billing issues, reconcile statements, and provide payment documentation or clarification
• Compile and organize financial data to support the preparation of reports for both internal use and external reporting requirements
• Monitor compliance with applicable financial recording standards, University policies, and accounting best practices
• Enter, retrieve, and maintain accurate financial information using computerized accounting software systems
• Support the generation of billing documents and coordination of financial mailings, as needed
• Provide general guidance to departments and customers regarding accounting policies and procedures
• May supervise and train assigned staff, and provide input to their performance evaluation

Level:

– Supervisor

Base Description:

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

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates appropriate knowledge to perform own work; spends majority of time on tasks related to own job responsibilities. Demonstrates baseline planning, organizing, directing, and facilitating skills. Reviews completed work of others to verify accuracy and quality. Follows recommended approaches to assigned work. Supervises assigned staff and coordinates routine work activities. Monitors employee interactions and facilitates a productive working environment. Communicates instructions and policies in a consistent, effective and timely manner. Identifies and addresses concerns appropriately. Makes recommendations for possible solutions.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

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

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices
– May monitor/track budgets for specific area and/or grant(s)

Problem Solving:

– Encounters generally routine problems with progressively more complex and/or varied problems
– Typically follows standard operating procedures to resolve problems
– May apply specialized knowledge and skills to resolve complex and/or varied problems
– Applies proven and tries new approaches when solving problems

Independence of Action:

– Works with minimal supervision on difficult work assignments, conferring with manager on unusual matters
– Follows precedents and procedures
– Organizes work of direct reports and may set priorities within general guidelines established by manager
– Reviews the work of others to verify accuracy, quality, and conformance to required procedures and special instructions

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 and accurately both verbally and in written materials

• Comp Grade – 7
• Minimum – $46,400.00
• MidPoint – $56,800.00
• Maximum – $67,300.00

• Attention To Detail
• Business acumen
• Customer Service
• Data Analysis
• Data entry
• Document management
• Financial analysis
• Office administration