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.

Finance

The Financial Specialist supports the unit and Financial Officer in providing oversight of budget and fiscal matters. Specialist responsibilities include advising department(s)/unit(s) on budget management, financial controls, and policy and procedure; providing and/or coordinating training for employees working with unit budgets; establishing, documenting, and implementing processes, procedures, systems, and standards for the efficient operation of the office and across the business areas.

• Responsible for reconciliation and management of ledger and clearing accounts for administrative area; make adjustments as needed and resolve problems
• Compile data for analysis and forecasting purposes; run reports as needed for administrative area
• Provide both formal and informal training across administrative area
• Review and approve human resource actions; assist with position management; oversee wage payroll processing and management, and prepare advances; assure deadlines are met and appropriate forms are used
• Maintain controls for administrative area; manage authorizations; assign roles as needed; approve routine journal vouchers and prepare complex correcting entries
• Maintain documented records supporting financial forecasts used in the rate and budget area
• Provide review and approval of financial documents, transactions, construction contracts, change orders, etc.
• Provide project funding and cost analysis along with guidance to stakeholders as requested
• Assign budget sources for expenditures to ensure visibility of spend on special budgets
• Analyze and verify funding sources to ensure appropriate spending and billing practices
• Prepare forecasts and analysis of trends in general business conditions and other related areas
• Responsible for performing assigned audit functions; assist with annual processes for administrative area, including general salary increase, initial operating budget preparation, inventory and carry-forward analysis
• Review and approve business expenses and ensure compliance with University policies
• Prepare financial summaries and any other specialized reports for presentation

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 – 10
• Minimum – $61,800.00
• MidPoint – $75,700.00
• Maximum – $89,600.00