- 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
We are searching for an experienced and detail-oriented Accountant to join our Financial Reporting and Analysis Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University. ARL Business Services enables and facilitates the research, scholarship, and creative endeavors of ARL by providing efficient and high-quality contracting, purchasing, accounting, and related capabilities to all ARL programs. This position will provide reporting and analysis at ARL and a wide range of support within ARL.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
Manage monthly financial reporting and reconciliation activities, including Net Funded Sponsored Awards (NFSA), cost centers, cost share funding, and “Sister Account” post‑award reporting
Prepare and analyze workforce, utilization, LOE, deficit, backlog, and other core financial reports for senior leadership; maintain supporting documentation and update internal sites as needed
Oversee reporting and reconciliation for ARL service centers, including hours validation and direct support to service center managers
Ensure accurate application of burden rates, and perform grant reconciliations
Prepare and submit monthly CDRL 003 Government Use reports
Support cross-functional finance and accounting activities, including labor, purchasing card, account reconciliations, and strategic planning
Conduct advanced analysis of historical and operational data to develop recommendations that improve process efficiency and enhance financial reporting capabilities
Required skills and experience include:
Financial reconciliation and related processes
Proven success developing and delivering accurate reports that support analysis and senior leadership decision‑making
Microsoft Excel
Demonstrated strength in problem‑solving, analytical thinking, and organizational skills
Success with collaborations in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented cultures
Success expressing ideas verbally and written to drive understanding
Ability to adapt quickly in a fast‑paced environment and work independently with minimal supervision
Preferred skills include:
Government and industrial grants and contracts
Penn State ACES course
Microsoft Word, Power Point, and Outlook
Commercial Enterprise Resource Planning systems, such as SAP or Oracle e-Business Suite
Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required
Your working location can be fully remote, dependent on skillset and location, within Central Pennsylvania. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None
ARL’s purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intel Community (IC).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our web site at www.arl.psu.edu.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL): Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $68,604.00 - $102,900.00.
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.
Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster
PA State Labor Law Poster
Penn State Policies
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience (6+ years relevant experience)
- Financial reconciliation and related processes
- Developing and delivering accurate reports to support senior leadership decision-making
- Microsoft Excel
- Problem-solving, analytical thinking, and organizational skills
- Successful collaboration in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented environments
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to adapt quickly and work independently with minimal supervision
- U.S. citizenship (must be a U.S. citizen to apply)
- Eligibility to obtain government security clearance and pass background checks and drug testing
- Experience with government and industrial grants and contracts
- Penn State ACES course
- Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook
- Experience with commercial ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle e-Business Suite
- Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher
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.
Penn State University Insights
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.
