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POSITION SPECIFICS
The Accountant Supervisor is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of Penn State Berkey Creamery's financial operations through the application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), sound accounting practices, and internal controls. This position analyzes, reconciles, and reports financial information while supporting strategic financial planning through budgeting, forecasting, revenue reconciliation, and financial analysis. The accountant prepares financial statements and reports for internal leadership, oversees accounting processes, and supervises financial staff to ensure efficient, compliant, and timely financial operations.
This role requires a strong understanding of enterprise financial software systems, accounting technologies, and reporting tools to manage financial data, improve operational efficiency, and support informed decision-making.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
1. Financial Accounting, Reconciliation, and Reporting
- Analyze financial records, transactions, and supporting documentation to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), University policies, and applicable regulations
- Perform monthly, quarterly, and annual revenue reconciliations to ensure the accuracy and completeness of revenue recognition, cash receipts, auxiliary operations, and other Creamery revenue sources
- Prepare, review, and reconcile general ledger accounts, investigate accounting discrepancies, and coordinate month-end and fiscal year-end close activities, including journal entries, accruals, and required financial reporting
- Prepare and analyze financial statements, management reports, financial analyses, and performance metrics to identify financial trends, operational risks, and opportunities for improved efficiency
2. Budgeting, Forecasting, and Financial Planning
- Develop financial forecasts and assist with annual operating budgets, budget monitoring, variance analysis, and long-term financial planning
- Monitor departmental revenues and expenditures, evaluate financial performance, and recommend strategies to improve fiscal stewardship, cost controls, and operational effectiveness
3. Financial Operations and Systems Management
- Ensure the proper classification and coding of revenues, expenditures, assets, liabilities, and fund activity within the University's enterprise financial management system
- Review, approve, and post invoices and process payments through ACH, wire transfers, checks, and virtual card transactions while collaborating with Treasury to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant financial operations
- Utilize enterprise financial software systems and reporting tools to perform reconciliations, generate financial reports, analyze data, and identify opportunities to improve accounting processes and operational efficiencies
4. Compliance, Internal Controls, and Process Improvement
- Interpret and apply GAAP, University policies, federal and state regulations, IRS guidance, and applicable tax regulations to ensure compliance
- Support internal and external audits by preparing schedules, reconciliations, documentation, and responding to audit inquiries
- Maintain and strengthen internal controls that safeguard assets, promote accurate financial reporting, mitigate financial risk, and ensure compliance with established accounting policies
- Recommend and implement process improvements, accounting best practices, and system enhancements that improve efficiency, accuracy, and regulatory compliance
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Supervise two or more full-time employees or the equivalent combination of part-time or student staff
- Assign, prioritize, and review work to ensure compliance with accounting standards and departmental objectives
- Provide coaching, training, and ongoing performance feedback
- Foster a collaborative, customer-focused, and accountable work environment
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field
- Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible accounting experience
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in higher education, governmental, or nonprofit accounting
- Experience with enterprise financial management systems
- Experience preparing financial statements and supporting annual audits
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Thorough knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and financial reporting standards
- Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and revenue reconciliation
- Proficiency with enterprise financial software systems, accounting applications, spreadsheets, and financial reporting tools
- Strong analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to interpret financial data and communicate findings to both financial and non-financial audiences
- Knowledge of internal controls, risk management, and regulatory compliance
- Experience performing financial reconciliations and complex account analysis
- Excellent organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines with minimal supervision
- Demonstrated leadership, collaboration, and staff development skills
Core Competencies
- Attention to Detail
- Financial Analysis
- Revenue Reconciliation
- Budgeting and Forecasting
- Data Analysis and Data Modeling
- Financial Reporting
- Regulatory Compliance
- Internal Controls
- Enterprise Financial Systems
- Leadership and Staff Supervision
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None
For 160 years, the Penn State Berkey Creamery has been providing high-quality, delicious dairy products to the Penn State community and beyond. The Berkey Creamery store is located at Penn State University Park Campus and is a unit within the College of Agricultural Sciences.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. 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.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 $65,508.00 - $94,980.00.
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.
Penn State 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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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field
- At least three years of progressively responsible accounting experience
- Experience in higher education, governmental, or nonprofit accounting
- Experience with enterprise financial management systems
- Experience preparing financial statements and supporting annual audits
- Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and financial reporting standards
- Knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and revenue reconciliation
- Proficiency with enterprise financial software, accounting applications, spreadsheets, and reporting tools
- Knowledge of internal controls, risk management, and regulatory compliance
- Experience performing financial reconciliations and complex account analysis
- Leadership, collaboration, staff development, and supervisory skills
- Successful completion of standard background and credit history checks
- Authorization to work in the United States without employer visa sponsorship
Penn State University Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Penn State University and has not been reviewed or approved by Penn State University.
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Retirement Support — Employer contributions to SERS and the TIAA Alternate Plan are described as significant, with supplemental retirement options available. Feedback suggests these choices and contributions create strong long‑term value.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Full‑time employees accrue over 24 sick and vacation days annually, with additional university holidays and a winter break. Feedback suggests this depth of leave supports work–life balance.
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Inclusive Benefits Coverage — A 75% tuition discount extends to employees, spouses, and dependent children up to age 26 across resident instruction, World Campus, and Penn College courses. Feedback suggests this broad eligibility meaningfully enhances total rewards, especially for families.
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What We Do
There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our nearly 88,000 students and 17,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom—it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. From access to state-of-the-art resources to interdisciplinary pursuits in collaborative atmospheres, a Penn State degree is more than an education. The experiences and knowledge gained here will form the foundation for the lives our students build. Their contributions to the world begin with a Penn State degree. We Are Penn State.
