Finance Specialist II - CAS - Department of Physics/LASSP

Cornell University•Ithaca, NY

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Finance Specialist II provides comprehensive financial management, reporting, budgeting, travel, and operational support for the Department of Physics. Working independently under the general supervision of the Director of Administration, this role monitors and analyzes financial activity, prepares budgets and reports, supports sound fiscal management, and interprets and applies University policies and procedures. The position works closely with the Director of Administration, Department Chair, faculty, staff, College of Arts and Sciences colleagues, the Shared Services Center, and other University offices to ensure accurate, timely, compliant, and responsive financial operations. The role has primary responsibility for departmental financial reporting and budget monitoring, including analyzing operating accounts and other departmental funds, forecasting, reconciliation, identifying financial issues, and preparing regular and ad hoc reports for departmental leadership. It is also the department's primary resource for travel operations and subaward payments, and coordinates the annual departmental space inventory, including research space. The department uses a variety of University, College, departmental, and sponsored funding sources, so the Finance Specialist II must maintain a strong working knowledge of applicable financial policies, procedures, systems, and practices and apply sound judgment. This is a full-time, 100% FTE, onsite position. No visa sponsorship or relocation assistance is provided. Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter.

Requirements

Associate’s degree or coursework in accounting, business administration, finance, or a related field and 4–6 years of relevant administrative or financial experience, preferably in an academic setting; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated experience working with financial information, budgets, reconciliations, and reporting.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and ability to learn and effectively use University financial and administrative systems.
Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities simultaneously, and exercise sound judgment.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students, and University colleagues.
Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, and guidelines and communicate them effectively to others.
Ability to appropriately handle confidential and sensitive financial and personnel information.
Compliance with all Cornell University and job-related training requirements.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field.
Experience working in a large, complex academic or research environment.
Experience with financial management in higher education, including sponsored and/or restricted funds.
Working knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Experience with Cornell University financial and administrative systems, including Kuali and Concur.
Experience preparing financial reports, budget projections, forecasts, and financial analyses.
Familiarity with University, federal, and sponsor requirements governing the use of funds.
Experience with space inventory, facilities data, or other institutional space-management processes.

Responsibilities

Monitor and analyze departmental financial activity and support sound fiscal management.
Prepare budgets and financial reports for departmental leadership, including regular and ad hoc reports.
Monitor budgets and analyze operating accounts and other departmental funds.
Prepare forecasts and reconciliations and identify financial issues.
Interpret and apply University and College financial policies, procedures, and practices.
Serve as the department's primary resource for travel operations and subaward payments.
Coordinate the annual departmental space inventory, including research space.
Work with departmental leadership, faculty, staff, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Shared Services Center, and other University offices to ensure financial operations are accurate, timely, compliant, and responsive.
Maintain knowledge of applicable University and College financial policies, procedures, systems, and practices.
Foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment through respectful, collaborative, and inclusive conduct and support for work/life integration.