- 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 Accounting Specialist to join the Accounting Department with the Office of Business Services 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.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
Review, analyze, and reconcile financial and non-financial data
Generate and analyze various monthly, yearly, and ad hoc reports
Support internal and external audit efforts
Participate in business process improvement activities
Investigate and resolve complex business issues
Review various types of transactions and forms to ensure compliance with applicable contractual terms and conditions, ARL and Penn State Policies, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and Federal Regulations
Required skills/experience areas include:
Success producing and interpreting financial reports
Demonstrated ability to work through difficult problems, using proper steps to define and formulate ideas to reach a solution
Working knowledge of cost accounting principles
Intermediate experience with Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
Ability to work both independently and as a project team member
Success in an office environment, where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective
Preferred skills/experience areas include:
Demonstrated ability to analyze complex problems and implement solutions
Demonstrated experience with financial and compliance audits
Working knowledge of Federal Regulations, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS)
Willingness to learn commercial information systems
Sponsored award administration
Your working location can be hybrid on-site/work from home, or fully remote, dependent on skillset and location, within the U.S. 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.
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PA State Labor Law Poster
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience with 6+ years relevant experience
- Success producing and interpreting financial reports
- Demonstrated ability to work through difficult problems using proper steps to define and formulate ideas to reach a solution
- Working knowledge of cost accounting principles
- Intermediate experience with Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
- Ability to work both independently and as a project team member
- Success in an office environment with strong communication and organizational skills
- U.S. citizenship (must be a U.S. citizen to apply)
- Eligible to obtain a government security clearance and participate in required drug testing and monitoring
- Demonstrated ability to analyze complex problems and implement solutions
- Demonstrated experience with financial and compliance audits
- Working knowledge of Federal Regulations, GAAP, and GAAS
- Willingness to learn commercial information systems
- Sponsored award administration
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.
