CALS- Finance Specialist II- Molecular Biology and Genetics Department
About The Position
The Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics at Cornell University is seeking a Finance Specialist II to provide complex financial support services to its faculty, staff, and students. This role operates independently under the general supervision of the senior director for administration. The department has a significant annual operating budget, with revenues from endowment income, colleges, and sponsored funds. The incumbent must be knowledgeable about the accounting rules and processes of the Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Arts and Sciences, as well as federal accounting standards. The position involves comprehensive financial and administrative management in areas such as procurement, accounting, analysis, reporting, planning, and budgeting. The Finance Specialist II will assist senior management by interpreting and applying university policies and procedures to achieve strategic and operational objectives. This role also collaborates with departmental staff responsible for grant proposals, graduate student programs, and facilities to enhance their understanding of university business operations. The Finance Specialist II directs the workflow of the accounting office (2 FTE), works with the Sr. Director to improve service delivery, systems, and reporting, and establishes strong working relationships with accounting colleagues in related departments. The role ensures all unit operations comply with university policies and internal controls, monitors financial transactions, provides regular reports to PIs on sponsored funds, and offers financial status reports to the Sr. Director and Chair. The position also involves developing programs and processes to improve service and address customer needs, and providing recommendations for systems and operational enhancements. This is a full-time position (100% FTE) that requires fostering a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment through effective communication and collaboration.
Requirements
- Associate’s Degree or coursework in accounting, business administration or related field with 4-6 years of administrative experience in an academic setting OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated experience with multiple computer software programs (Microsoft office suite, Excel).
- Must complete Cornell University Supervisory Development Training within one year of hire into the position.
- Compliant with all Cornell University and job-related training requirements.
- Must be able to work independently and handle multiple tasks simultaneously and under pressure while prioritizing appropriately.
- Must be detail oriented, possess excellent organizational skills, and work well supervising a team environment.
- Requires reasoning, analytical thought, creativity and innovation in solving minor problems day to day.
- Demonstrated skill in understanding cultural differences.
- Proven experience connecting inclusion, belonging and wellbeing practices to business goals.
Nice To Haves
- Aptitude and willingness to keep abreast of changes in the University accounting environment and with federal regulations governing expenditures of federal funds.
- Experience in a large, complex academic environment.
Responsibilities
- Provide comprehensive financial/administrative services and management in the areas of procurement, accounting, analysis and reporting.
- Perform planning, budgeting and analysis in support of the Sr. Director of Administration and the Chair.
- Assist senior management by applying expertise in the interpretation and application of University policies, procedures and practices to meeting strategic and operational objectives.
- Collaborate with departmental staff responsible for grant proposal preparation, graduates student program, and facilities and research support to assist them in developing working knowledge of University business operations.
- Direct workflow for the accounting office (2 FTE).
- Work with the Sr. Director to improve service delivery, systems and reporting.
- Establish close working relationship with accounting colleagues in the split bio departments and the managers of these departments.
- Collaborate regularly and provide advice and feedback on best practices at the unit level.
- Ensure all unit operations are in accordance with University policies and that internal controls are maintained.
- Monitor all unit financial transactions.
- Provide regular reports to PIs on sponsored funds.
- Review transactions.
- Provide financial status reports to Sr. Director and Chair and ad hoc reports.
- Develop programs/processes that improve service and addresses customer needs.
- Provide recommendations for systems and operational enhancements.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health care options
- Generous retirement contributions
- Access to wellness programs
- Employee discounts with local and national retail brands
- Health and personal leave
- Three weeks of vacation
- 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1.
- Two additional floating holidays
- Tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program
- Tuition aid for external education
- 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
