Finance Specialist II - CAS - Department of Physics/LASSP
About The Position
Working independently under the general supervision of the Director of Administration, the Finance Specialist II provides comprehensive financial management, reporting, budgeting, travel, and operational support for the Department of Physics. The position is a key departmental resource for monitoring and analyzing financial activity, preparing budgets and financial reports, supporting sound fiscal management, and interpreting and applying University policies and procedures. The Finance Specialist II works closely with the Director of Administration, Department Chair, faculty, staff, and colleagues in the College of Arts and Sciences, Shared Services Center (SSC), and other University offices to ensure departmental financial operations are accurate, timely, compliant, and responsive to departmental needs. The position is primarily responsible for departmental financial reporting and budget monitoring, including analysis of 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. Departmental financial operations involve a range of University, College, departmental, and sponsored funding sources. The Finance Specialist II develops and maintains a strong working knowledge of University and College financial policies, procedures, systems, and practices, and applies appropriate judgment in carrying out responsibilities. This is a full-time position at 100% FTE.
Requirements
- Associate’s degree or coursework in accounting, business administration, finance, or a related field with 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 colleagues across the University.
- Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, and guidelines and communicate them effectively to others.
- Ability to handle confidential and sensitive financial and personnel information appropriately.
- 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, including operating accounts and other departmental funds.
- Prepare budgets, financial reports, forecasts, and financial analyses for departmental leadership.
- Reconcile financial activity and identify financial issues.
- Provide financial management and operational support for the Department of Physics.
- 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 the Director of Administration, Department Chair, faculty, staff, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Shared Services Center, and other University offices to support accurate, timely, compliant financial operations.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Associate degree
