University Overview
The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.
Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.
The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.
Posted Job Title
Business Manager, Wharton Finance & Administration
Job Profile Title
Business Manager B
Job Description Summary
Reporting to the Associate Director of Business Units for Wharton Finance & Administration, this position is responsible for managing all aspects of compensation, accounts receivable, travel expense reimbursement processes for Wharton Executive Education. This includes understanding and applying applicable accounting standards and policies; analysis, reporting and research; as well as managing the processing from start to finish.
This position will oversee several critical functions within Workday for Wharton Executive Education. Responsibilities include handling monthly and weekly payroll processing, completing new hire and termination paperwork, and reviewing, reallocating, and analyzing payroll reports. Additionally, this role is responsible for evaluating current compensation and reimbursement processes and proactively identifying opportunities to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.
This position will collaborate closely with Executive Education Staff and Human Resources to properly identify and facilitate payment for Individual Service Providers and ensure compliance with Worker Classification Standards.
In this role, the incumbent will also serve as the backup Business Administrator, responsible for overseeing payment application and refund processing for Wharton business units, researching and resolving internal and external client inquiries, and reconciling bank statements and accounts receivable reports.
Due to the entrepreneurial nature of Wharton Executive Education's business units, this position requires strong financial acumen, strategic operational oversight, and the ability to effectively collaborate with both internal and external stakeholders.
Job Description
Job Responsibilities
Serve as a key resource for compensation and reimbursement related to teaching and consultative services for Wharton Executive Education. Continuously evaluate and enhance existing processes to improve efficiency, accuracy, and effectiveness. Proactively identify and implement process improvements in supported business areas. Provide comprehensive support for the WEE travel reimbursement process, including obtaining and verifying supporting documentation, and preparing and processing reimbursement requests
Manage complex arrangements between Wharton and employees/vendors to ensure compliance with Worker Classification standards and university policies. Collaborate closely with WEE Directors and Human Resources to accurately identify service providers and facilitate proper payment procedures. Oversee and resolve the varied and often unique situations that arise in the areas of compensation, travel reimbursement, and cash receipts across Business Units.
Leverage strong interpersonal, written, and analytical skills to analyze variances between actual and planned/forecasted expenses related to Business Unit teaching costs and travel reimbursement. Generate and analyze monthly financial reports to ensure accuracy and support data-drive decision making. Develop and maintain historical flux analyses to identify key trends, ensure data integrity, and support more accurate forecasting and future planning.
Responsible for the monthly and annual closing processes for teaching expenses, travel expenses, and staff compensation, including the review and approval of journal entries and account reconciliations. Ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial data in alignment with GAAP and University G/L standards. Perform monthly reconciliations of accruals to support compliant and timely financial reporting
Serve as a backup for managing the payment application process for Wharton Business Units, including refund processing. Analyze, monitor, and communicate Accounts Receivable status. Conduct in-depth research and analysis of internal and external client inquiries. Reconcile and ensure alignment between bank records, WEE financial systems, and the University's GL.
Serve as a backup for procurement-related activities, including purchase orders (PO), non-PO transactions, and procurement card processes. Support the preparation of the 990 report and assist in training Business Unit staff on financial responsibilities and procedures.
Serve as a liaison with Penn Central, representing Wharton on matters related to compensation, travel & entertainment (T&E), and procurement workflows. Strategize and evaluate processes to identify efficiencies and implement streamlined solutions. Effectively communicate key information to senior management and promote the sharing of best practices and institutional knowledge across Wharton Business Units.
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned
Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree with 3-5 years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
Ability to multi-task and pivot as necessary.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential, including professional email writing skills and the ability to diplomatically but assertively enforce policies and guidelines, including with those at higher levels.
Preferred candidate will have experience in working Penn financial systems, including Workday, Concur, BEN Financials, and Business Objects.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
Wharton School
Pay Range
$76,000.00 - $83,000.00 Annual Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job's level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.
Equal Opportunity Statement
The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics) , citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law .
Special Requirements Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
University Benefits
Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family's health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family-whatever your personal needs may be.
Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, you won't have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on at Penn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you're right in the middle of the excitement-and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.
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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay
The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community and help create an educational and working environment that best supports the University's commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship. The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.
