Accounting Associate - Central Procurement

Penn State University • University Park, PA

33d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Penn State Office of Central Procurement team is searching for Accounting Associates. Central Procurement has a vision to develop and execute sound business and cost-effective Purchasing solutions to enable the teaching, research, and service mission of the University. The Accounting Associate supports the financial operations of the University by performing a variety of accounting tasks with accuracy and attention to detail; is responsible for maintaining and updating financial records, processing invoices, assisting with billing functions, and generating financial reports; verifies, reconciles, and corrects financial data to ensure compliance with University policies and applicable accounting standards; serves as a point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, providing guidance and support on accounting-related inquiries and procedures. This position offers a flexible work arrangement that combines remote and on-campus work. Typically requires 1-2 days in office per week. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

Requirements

• Excellent customer service skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive documents and situations
• Demonstrated ability to multitask and meet deadlines
• Effective decision-making skills
• Excellent organizational skills and problem-solving abilities
• High level of accuracy in work and attention to detail
• General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or High School (HS)
• 2+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted

Responsibilities

• Review accounting records for accuracy, completeness, and proper classification and coding of income and expenditures
• Identify accounting discrepancies; make necessary corrections and update financial databases accordingly
• Analyze and approve journal entries in accordance with established financial policies and procedures
• Coordinate with suppliers, departments, and other stakeholders to resolve billing issues, reconcile statements, and provide payment documentation or clarification
• Compile and organize financial data to support the preparation of reports for both internal use and external reporting requirements
• Monitor compliance with applicable financial recording standards, University policies, and accounting best practices
• Enter, retrieve, and maintain accurate financial information using computerized accounting software systems
• Support the generation of billing documents and coordination of financial mailings, as needed
• Provide general guidance to departments and customers regarding accounting policies and procedures
• May supervise and train assigned staff, and provide input to their performance evaluation

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees