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Accountant - Office of Physical Plant

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APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

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If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The Office of Budget and Finance is seeking a self-motivated, detail-oriented individual with a commitment to teamwork to join The Office of Physical Plant (OPP) at University Park Accounting Department as an Accountant who will serve as the lead administrator for Commonwealth Campus (CWC) Utility accounts. This position will oversee all aspects of CWC utilities in addition to other financial duties and responsibilities.

The successful candidate's responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Investigate and resolve discrepancies, conduct audits, approve processes, and build and maintain relationships with Commonwealth campus contacts and vendors
Track, monitor, and address issues related to billing errors, security deposits, and refunds
Involvement with OPP purchase order (PO) administration, handling and resolving PO posting issues by working with Central Procurement and lead clean-up efforts of Purchase Orders
Monthly preparation of documentation, including invoices, reviewing proper classification and General Ledger (GL) Account coding of expenditure for accuracy as well as data entry into the University Financial system
Process financial transactions such as Journal Entries (JEs) payments, and various financial reconciliations between University Financial system and OPP internal systems
Serve as back-up approver and authorize university documents for purchases and payments within threshold role

The successful candidate for this position must possess:

Strong knowledge of financial processing and reporting and must understand key accounting procedures.
Advanced knowledge of Excel and data management skills
High level of integrity, accuracy, and self-management
Ability to communicate clearly and accurately both verbally and in writing
Ability to work independently, and within a team environment, manage multiple priorities, and demonstrate a genuine appreciation in working with diverse audiences

Education and Experience:

This position will be filled at the Intermediate Professional level and minimally requires a Bachelor’s Degree and 1 year of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Due to the financial and fiduciary responsibilities of this position, successful completion of a credit history check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

This position offers a flexible work arrangement that combines remote and on-campus work. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

Penn State is embarking on a project to restructure the University’s financial functions to move towards a centralized, service hub-based structure. This position is intended to initially support the unit(s) and functions listed in this posting, however it is expected to evolve over time relative to the overall restructuring. Questions about this project should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging in all its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports both broad and specific 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.

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades is:

$51,000.00 - $74,000.00

Salary Structure - additional information on Penn State's job and salary structure.

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.

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

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action 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.

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University Park, PA

Average salary estimate

$62500 / YEARLY (est.)

min

max

$51000K

$74000K

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What You Should Know About Accountant - Office of Physical Plant, PSU

At Penn State University Park, we’re excited to welcome a new Accountant to the Office of Physical Plant! If you are a self-motivated, detail-oriented individual who thrives in a collaborative environment, this position is perfect for you. As our new Accountant, you will take the reins as the lead administrator for Commonwealth Campus Utility accounts. Your role will revolve around overseeing all aspects of CWC utilities while executing various financial tasks vital to our operations. You will be investigating discrepancies, conducting audits, and fostering strong relationships with vendors and campus contacts. You will also tackle billing errors, track security deposits, and handle refunds with finesse. Your expertise will guide the monthly preparation of documentation including invoices and journal entries, ensuring precise classification and coding. With your strong Excel skills and financial knowledge, you will contribute to the administration of purchase orders by resolving posting issues and leading initiatives to clean up Purchase Orders. The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor’s Degree, ideally with a year of relevant experience. We value integrity, accuracy, and independence, but we also cherish teamwork and communication. Plus, we offer flexible work arrangements, so you can balance your personal and professional life seamlessly. Join us at Penn State, where you can not only grow professionally but also contribute to a culture promoting equity, respect, and belonging, essential to our mission of teaching, research, and service.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Accountant - Office of Physical Plant Role at PSU

What are the responsibilities of the Accountant position at Penn State University Park?

The Accountant position at Penn State University Park involves managing CWC Utility accounts, investigating discrepancies, conducting audits, and tracking billing errors. You will also be responsible for preparing monthly documentation, processing financial transactions, and resolving purchase order issues, all while fostering relationships with vendors and campus contacts.