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.

Financial Shared Services

The Financial Shared Services Associate serves as a central point of contact for processing and coordinating financial transactions on behalf of assigned University units; supports the Accounts Payable and Travel Expense or Purchase Request functions; ensures timely, accurate, and compliant execution of financial processes. Financial Shared Services Associates are aligned to specific units across the University to ensure personalized and consistent support.

• Serve as a central hub member for either the Accounts Payable and Travel Expense team or the Purchase Request team
• Receive and process unit requests for non-purchase order (PO) invoice payments, travel expense reports, purchase card reconciliation transactions, and/or purchase orders
• Review all financial transactions for compliance with University policies, procedures, documentation standards, and regulatory guidelines
• Reconcile discrepancies and investigate transactional anomalies or errors
• Execute financial approvals on designated transactions
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date transaction records in financial systems
• Assist with internal and external audits by providing transaction documentation and reports
• Maintain alignment and communication with specific unit teams to ensure accurate and responsive support
• Provide excellent customer service to internal stakeholders through clear communication and timely issue resolution; assist in monitoring internal and external customer satisfaction
• Provide training to new staff members
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and automation in transaction workflows
• Maintain confidentiality and integrity of financial data at all times
• May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Level:

– Intermediate Support

Base Description:

– Completes administrative activities and tasks of a technical or functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates ability to perform intermediate tasks in defined skill areas. Demonstrates intermediate knowledge of internal procedures. Works under general supervision, performing assignments that may be varied and sometimes difficult. Supports team decisions and follows through with team responsibilities. Interprets and communicates information clearly and accurately. Demonstrates intermediate problem–solving skills.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– May provide basic direction to lower level support staff

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Handles routine financial transactions
– May validate and pay invoices

Problem Solving:

– Encounters generally routine problems; occasionally faces more complex and/or varied problems
– Typically follows recommended course of action and procedures to resolve problems
– Applies knowledge of institutional policies and procedures in determining course of action

Independence of Action:

– Work is generally monitored by supervisor
– Detailed instructions and procedures are generally provided
– Uses available guidelines to make appropriate adaptations to routine situations and refers other situations to supervisor

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally within working unit and/or the University
– May communicate with external audiences for scheduling/coordination
– Collaborates closely with team members
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly and accurately both verbally and in written materials that may be intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 5
• Minimum – $38,300.00
• MidPoint – $46,900.00
• Maximum – $55,500.00

• Attention To Detail
• Auditing
• Continuous improvement
• Data integrity
• Document management
• ERP Software
• Financial analysis
• Financial reporting
• Prepare Financial Statements
• Regulatory compliance
• Risk Management
• Stakeholder management
• Travel & Expense Reports

• General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
• High School (HS)