Penn State Job Catalog

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:

– 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
• 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