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.

Accounting

The Accounting Manager provides leadership and oversight of assigned accounting functions, ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of financial operations across the University; is responsible for maintaining strong internal controls, safeguarding University assets, and ensuring adherence to relevant accounting standards, regulations, and institutional policies; plays a key role in strategic planning, process improvement, and policy development to support efficient, timely, and accurate financial operations; conducts complex financial analyses; manages risk; serves as a liaison to internal and external stakeholders, including auditors and regulatory agencies.

• Oversee and manage day-to-day operations in assigned accounting areas to ensure accurate and efficient financial processing and reporting
• Direct the analysis of accounting and financial records; interpret results and provide data-driven recommendations to leadership
• Develop, recommend, and implement strategic action plans based on financial and operational analysis
• Assess operational risk and ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, University policies, and accounting standards
• Lead the preparation and implementation of University-wide accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls; communicate changes effectively across departments to ensure understanding and compliance
• Evaluate the University's financial exposure in preparation for internal or external audits; coordinate audit responses and provide required documentation
• Negotiate and manage indirect cost rates with federal government representatives; analyze cost structures and compliance requirements
• Provide documentation and support for internal and external audits; sign and submit audit-related documents as authorized
• Manage the integrity and maintenance of all accounting records, ensuring proper documentation, reconciliation, and reporting
• Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate accounting staff; foster a culture of accountability, professional development, and continuous learning
• Lead the development and implementation of improved processes and systems to enhance efficiency and service delivery
• Identify, prioritize, and execute continuous improvement initiatives to streamline operations and optimize resource utilization
• Stay abreast of changes in accounting standards, tax laws, financial regulations, and best practices; assess implications and integrate necessary updates into University policies and procedures

Level:

– Principal Manager

Base Description:

– Manages direct reports where primary duty is the management of a working unit.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates awareness of broad issues and management trends. Applies exemplary management principles. Evaluates impact of policy and adjusts accordingly. Ensures appropriate skills are developed and maintained within team/unit. Realigns staff responsibilities to meet desired changes. Provides administrative and policy direction. Develops and articulates broad goals. Fosters collaboration between units. Engages in written and verbal communications that reach a university-wide and/or broad external audience. Develops and implements solutions to highly complex and often controversial problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Oversees teams of other supervisors/managers
– Leads a business unit

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Plans, forecasts, develops, and/or approves budgets
– Typically has final signature authority for business unit

Problem Solving:

– Encounters highly varied and complex problems that may have a significant impact on multiple units and/or the University
– Regularly develops creative and/or novel approaches to resolve the most difficult problems
– Creates an environment that encourages imaginative solutions to problems

Independence of Action:

– Work results are not clearly defined and may be frequently changing
– Sets own goals and determines how to accomplish results with few or no guidelines to follow
– Oversees completed work of others and is accountable for unit results
– Delegates advanced tasks to others and provides guidance to team members

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates with both internal and external audiences
– May represent the University externally
– Collaborates closely with team members and other leaders across the University
– Communicates a compelling vision that inspires and motivates others

• Comp Grade – 15
• Minimum – $109,300.00
• MidPoint – $136,600.00
• Maximum – $164,000.00

• Accounting information systems
• Asset management
• Attention To Detail
• Financial analysis
• Negotiation
• Policy analysis
• Regulatory compliance
• Resource management
• Risk Management
• Stakeholder management
• Strategic Planning