Edtech.com's Summary

The Pennsylvania State University is hiring a Financial Specialist - Department of the Controller. This role involves managing ledger reconciliation, budget oversight, financial controls, and policy adherence for research accounting within the College of Medicine. The specialist advises departments on budget management, provides training, prepares financial reports, and reviews financial documents to ensure accurate spending and billing practices.

Highlights

Manage reconciliation and adjustment of ledger and clearing accounts.
Advise departments and units on budget management and financial policies.
Provide formal and informal training on unit budgets and financial processes.
Maintain financial controls, manage authorizations, and approve journal vouchers and correcting entries.
Review and approve financial documents, purchases (PSUBuy), contracts, change orders, and related transactions.
Analyze funding sources and ensure compliance with spending and billing practices.
Prepare financial summaries, reports, and maintain records supporting financial forecasts.
Minimum requirement: Bachelor's Degree with 1+ years of relevant experience (or equivalent education and experience).
Position offers a salary range of $51,000 to $74,000 and includes comprehensive benefits and a 75% tuition discount for employees and their families.
Supports Post Award Director and Supervisor in the Department of the Controller at Penn State College of Medicine.

Financial Specialist - Department of the Controller Full Description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Penn State College of Medicine, Dept of the Controller, in Hershey, PA, is seeking an Intermediate Financial Specialist in Research Accounting, who supports various units and the Post Award Director and Supervisor 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. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

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
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.
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 financial summaries and any other specialized reports for presentation
Review and approve PSUBuy purchases
Review and update Other Support documents, prepare RPPRs, and calculate unobligated/unliquidated balances
Assist departments as needed
Other duties as assigned

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONSBachelor's Degree1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience

acceptedRequired Certifications:None

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITS The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $51,000.00 - $74,000.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.

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Original Job Description