Penn State mark
All Jobs Financial Operations Group
Accounting Budget Finance Investments Payroll Procurement Tax
Management Professional Supervisory Support

Penn State Job Catalog

Finance Planning Analyst – Senior Professional (PSU2553)

Additional Levels

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.

Job Summary and Representative Duties

The Finance Planning Analyst supports the business unit and Strategic Financial Partner by providing oversight and expert guidance to unit leaders on budget and financial matters; serves as a subject matter expert in one or more budget or fiscal-related areas; advises unit leaders on budget management and financial controls; provides in-depth financial analysis, forecasting, and budget modeling; plays a key role in supporting long-term financial planning efforts and ensuring effective resource allocation aligns with the university's mission, strategic goals, and regulatory requirements.

  • Collaborate in budget and resource data analysis to provide data-driven recommendations and financial insights; gather, compile, and manipulate data; may determine analytical methods to be used
  • Develop, maintain, and refine financial models to support long-range planning and scenario analysis
  • Oversee assigned components of budget activities; participate in the conceptual development of the various budget processes and specifications for projects
  • Review financial reports to understand and explain variances between budget and actuals; analyze trends in revenues, expenditures, enrollments, and funding sources; ensure appropriate spending and billing practices are being followed
  • Monitor financial performance against budget and forecast, identifying areas of concern or opportunity
  • Participate in the development of financial dashboards and reporting tools for internal stakeholders and senior leadership
  • Provide financial analyses for new initiatives, program reviews, and business plans, including ROI and cost-benefit assessments
  • Assist in the preparation of the annual operating budgets, ensuring alignment with unit and institutional priorities
  • Manage workforce planning and labor distribution for assigned business area(s); assist with annual salary increase program execution
  • Support compliance with internal policies, external regulations, and audit requirements; oversee audits as required
  • Partner with other university offices to ensure consistent data sources and accurate financial projections
  • May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Level Matrix

Level:
– Senior Professional
Base Description:
– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.
Level Summary:
– Demonstrates advanced knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field. Works independently on moderately complex work assignments under limited oversight, reviews progress, and evaluates results. Monitors work and projects ensuring timeliness, quality, and efficiency. Identifies and mobilizes resources to achieve outcomes. Trains others and reviews progress with management. Presents ideas, concepts, and instructions in a clear and persuasive manner. Develops new techniques, concepts, and approaches and applies them to moderately complex and 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:
– May validate and pay invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets and funding
Problem Solving:
– Encounters moderately complex problems
– Applies specialized knowledge and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations, and impact of potential solutions
Independence of Action:
– Works independently on moderately complex work assignments, reviews progress, and evaluates results
– May set priorities and organize work within general guidelines established by supervisor
– May review the work of others to verify accuracy 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
– Coaches others in using appropriate strategies for resolving conflict; negotiating reasonable compromises; and proposing and evaluating possible solutions
– Give candid and constructive feedback to others to influence and persuade managers and employees to accept and implement findings and recommendations
Salary Structure
  • Comp Grade – 11
  • Minimum – $68,200.00
  • MidPoint – $85,200.00
  • Maximum – $102,300.00
Critical Skills
  • Accounting information systems
  • Attention To Detail
  • Consulting
  • Data Analysis
  • Document management
  • Financial analysis
  • Forecasting
  • Organizational training
  • Policy analysis
  • Process management
  • Report writing
FLSA Exemption Status
Exempt
Minimum Education
Bachelor's Degree
Minimum Experience
6+ years of relevant experience
Equivalency