POSITION SPECIFICS

The unit of Third-Party Billing and Payments - International within the Office of the Bursar is seeking a motivated individual to fill the position of Accountant – Intermediate Professional.

The responsibilities of the Accountant include, but are not limited to the following:

• Analyze and review Financial Guarantees submitted by a third-party (International Sponsors) to determine proper classification for setting up the Organization and Third-Party Contract in LionPATH, the University’s student information system, for invoicing. Oversee the creation of the contract and ensure it is set up appropriately in LionPATH so that charges are reflected correctly on the student and corporate accounts. Create and maintain contracts for more complex accounts, which includes managing the Organzation from start to finish.
• Process invoices through LionPATH ensuring invoices are accurate and reconciled with the corporate accounts in LionPATH. Manage past due balances and run queries to capture unpaid balances. Run queries in LionPATH to reconcile the corporate account balances and oversee all necessary corrections. Identify, recommend and make required changes to corporate accounts when payments received do not match the balance due on the corporate account. Process student and corporate refunds in LionPATH, ensuring refund is posted to the accounts correctly and reconcile with the financial system.
• Monitor and manage the Sponsor Email Inbox for communications associated with specific sponsors. Provide timely and accurate communications to the Sponsored Relations Manager and Coordinator regarding student and sponsor financial concerns. Compose email communications related to tuition accounts, invoices and financial guarantee charges to a diverse audience including students, staff, and sponsors. Respond to a wide variety of inquiries from staff, sponsors and students in person and via telephone. Take necessary action to resolve problems or discrepancies in a prompt and thorough manner.
• Work closely with the Sponsored Relations Coordinator to coordinate health insurance billing for Sponsored students’ dependents. Create and maintain files with information on student dependents who need Penn State insurance fees billed to sponsors. Work with the Student Health Insurance Office to update, maintain and verify billing list and add/process charges to contracts as necessary. Prepare payments to Provider, reconcile sponsor payments with student detail bill to ensure correct application of payment/student.Attend and participate in Sponsor Advisory Committee Meetings and Sponsored Relations weekly update meetings. Provide backup to other staff as needed and support a collaborative team environment within the Global Programs Finance Office, including processing documents in SIMBA and SAP Concur
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• Penn State’s new financial systems effective 7/1/2020.

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.

The successful candidate for this position must possess the following characteristics:

• Excellent communication skills to address unique situations and concerns in daily interactions with various Penn State offices, outside agencies, parents, and students.
• Excellent problem-solving skills to plan, organize, delegate, and direct work objectives, priorities, and deadlines.
• A high level of professionalism and the ability to meet specific deadlines and demonstrate the ability to work independently and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.

Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Microsoft Excel. Experience with student and business systems/software is highly desirable.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s Degree 1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCESEmployment 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 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.

The Pennsylvania State University 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.

• Analyze and review Financial Guarantees submitted by a third-party (International Sponsors) to determine proper classification for setting up the Organization and Third-Party Contract in LionPATH, the University’s student information system, for invoicing. Oversee the creation of the contract and ensure it is set up appropriately in LionPATH so that charges are reflected correctly on the student and corporate accounts. Create and maintain contracts for more complex accounts, which includes managing the Organzation from start to finish.
• Process invoices through LionPATH ensuring invoices are accurate and reconciled with the corporate accounts in LionPATH. Manage past due balances and run queries to capture unpaid balances. Run queries in LionPATH to reconcile the corporate account balances and oversee all necessary corrections. Identify, recommend and make required changes to corporate accounts when payments received do not match the balance due on the corporate account. Process student and corporate refunds in LionPATH, ensuring refund is posted to the accounts correctly and reconcile with the financial system.
• Monitor and manage the Sponsor Email Inbox for communications associated with specific sponsors. Provide timely and accurate communications to the Sponsored Relations Manager and Coordinator regarding student and sponsor financial concerns. Compose email communications related to tuition accounts, invoices and financial guarantee charges to a diverse audience including students, staff, and sponsors. Respond to a wide variety of inquiries from staff, sponsors and students in person and via telephone. Take necessary action to resolve problems or discrepancies in a prompt and thorough manner.
• Work closely with the Sponsored Relations Coordinator to coordinate health insurance billing for Sponsored students’ dependents. Create and maintain files with information on student dependents who need Penn State insurance fees billed to sponsors. Work with the Student Health Insurance Office to update, maintain and verify billing list and add/process charges to contracts as necessary. Prepare payments to Provider, reconcile sponsor payments with student detail bill to ensure correct application of payment/student.Attend and participate in Sponsor Advisory Committee Meetings and Sponsored Relations weekly update meetings. Provide backup to other staff as needed and support a collaborative team environment within the Global Programs Finance Office, including processing documents in SIMBA and SAP Concur
• 
  
• Penn State’s new financial systems effective 7/1/2020