Finance Specialist II - Public and Ecosystem Health
About The Position
The College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University seeks a detail‑oriented, collaborative Finance Specialist II to provide strategic financial and sponsored programs support for the Department of Public and Ecosystem Health. In this role, you will partner with faculty, staff, and research teams to ensure strong financial stewardship, effective grants administration, and consistent, transparent financial processes. You will serve as a key resource for interpreting policies, developing reports and forecasts, and strengthening internal controls—all while contributing to a culture of inclusion, respect, and wellbeing. The job responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Manage post‑award financial administration, including effort updates, sub‑awards, cost‑share monitoring, and compliance with sponsor and university policies. Track award activity, monitor expenditures, resolve discrepancies, and coordinate post‑award actions with OSP, SFS, and the College Research Office. Prepare monthly and ad hoc financial reports, annual budgets, variance analyses, and long-range forecasts for faculty and departmental leadership. Develop and maintain financial SOPs, strengthen internal controls, and ensure consistent, transparent financial processes across the department. Train and support faculty and staff on financial best practices, reporting tools, and departmental procedures. Provide backup support for service agreements, consultant contracts, GRA appointments, space inventory, and other departmental financial operations.
Requirements
- Associate degree in finance or related field with at least 2 years of experience in accounting, finance, or business administration or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Excellent written and verbal communication with a customer‑service mindset.
- Ability to build inclusive, collaborative working relationships with faculty, staff, students, and community partners.
- Demonstrated professionalism, sound judgment, and discretion in handling sensitive information.
- Ability to work effectively with college, university, and departmental financial offices.
- Commitment to continuous learning.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in higher education with grant applications, accessing Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) portal, funds management, and policy interpretation
- Experience with a variety of systems used at Cornell: KFS, ID&R Dashboards, Workday, WebFin II, RASS
- Knowledge of web programs such as NSF Fast Lane, proposal Central, Grants.gov and the NIH eRA Commons.
- Demonstrated effectiveness in financial management, budget preparation, and fiscal operations management in higher education or the public sector.
Responsibilities
- Manage post‑award financial administration, including effort updates, sub‑awards, cost‑share monitoring, and compliance with sponsor and university policies.
- Track award activity, monitor expenditures, resolve discrepancies, and coordinate post-award actions with OSP, SFS, and the College Research Office.
- Prepare monthly and ad hoc financial reports, annual budgets, variance analyses, and long-range forecasts for faculty and departmental leadership.
- Develop and maintain financial SOPs, strengthen internal controls, and ensure consistent, transparent financial processes across the department.
- Train and support faculty and staff on financial best practices, reporting tools, and departmental procedures.
- Provide backup support for service agreements, consultant contracts, GRA appointments, space inventory, and other departmental financial operations.
Benefits
- Great benefits!
- Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.
- 3 weeks of paid vacation
- 13 additional holiday days with 2 additional floating holidays to be used at your discretion
- An award-winning employer provided benefits program
- Comprehensive health care options
- Access to wellness programs
- Employee discounts with local and national retail brands
- Generous retirement contributions
- Impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, Tuition Aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Associate degree
