Finance Specialist II

Cornell University•City of Ithaca, NY

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Cornell Research & Innovation’s Finance & Budget team has an immediate opening for a Finance Specialist. This position will provide comprehensive financial support for strategic programs and initiatives, including the Future of American Agriculture Initiative. Well-qualified candidates will have experience with sponsored research administration and possess demonstrated strengths in financial analysis and reporting. As Finance Specialist, you will provide advanced financial management and analytical support for high-level, cross-functional projects. You will serve as a financial liaison for strategic projects and initiatives of the Provost and Vice Provost for Research and play a critical role in developing and implementing financial management strategies, ensuring compliance, and preparing and submitting complex financial reports. Additionally, you will serve as a financial reporting resource for Research & Innovation units requiring advanced financial support and will collaborate in developing and streamlining processes. You will coordinate regularly with key financial units across Cornell, including Sponsored Financial Services, the Office of Sponsored Programs, the University Audit Office, and Division of Financial Services. As part of the Cornell community, you will help foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others. This is a fixed-term position with an appointment period of three years. The position may be renewable based on available funding and satisfactory performance. About Us Cornell Research & Innovation, led by the Vice Provost for Research and the Vice President for Innovation and External Engagement Strategy, enables and advances the University’s research priorities as well as research activities of Cornell colleges, schools, and research centers, institutes, and laboratories. The Office of the Vice Provost for Research houses the Research & Innovation Finance & Budget Team, which includes a Post Award Finance Group and a Service Facility Finance Group. R&I Finance provides leadership in budgeting, financial reporting, and post‑award financial management for Research & Innovation. The team delivers comprehensive financial support to research‑enabling administrative units—including the Office of Sponsored Programs, the Office of Research Integrity and Assurance, Pre‑Award Research Operations, Research Development, Innovation, and R&I operating units—as well as to faculty and researchers, with a particular focus on complex or multidisciplinary research centers. RI Finance, in collaboration with central partners, oversees research expenditure reporting and advances institution‑wide financial initiatives across Research & Innovation. What We Need Send us a cover letter and resume outlining your interest in this position and explaining how your experience and qualifications match the position requirements. Your letter is an important component of your application. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in business, finance, accounting or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience
2-4 years of experience with sponsored research administration, including post-award financial monitoring, budget adjustments, and monitoring expenditures
Strong financial analysis and reporting skills, including demonstrated experience utilizing spreadsheets, databases, and system applications (Kuali dashboards, RASS, Workday)
Strong customer service orientation and demonstrated effectiveness in verbal and written communications
Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members
Strong organizational skills, accuracy, problem-solving, and attention to detail
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced team environment

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree
Advanced proficiency in Excel
Experience with Cornell policies and use of Cornell financial systems (Longview Budget System, KFS, OBIEE/PI Dashboards and Answers)
Experience interpreting solicitations for research proposals, preparing proposal budgets, and supporting proposal submission processes
Cornell Research Administration Certificate or Accounting Certificate
Experience supporting agricultural development projects and initiatives or cooperative extension programs
Experience managing complex research portfolios

Responsibilities

Providing end-to-end post-award financial management for the Future of American Agriculture Initiative awards, including budget oversight, monitoring, and forecasting
Preparing, analyzing, and submitting financial reports
Monitoring allowable costs, spending thresholds, and period-of-performance requirements for compliance with policy and audit standards
Providing strategic financial management services for units
Conducting data analysis to prepare reports and projections
Interpreting and applying university and sponsor financial policies, procedures, and regulations and serving as a primary financial resource for principal investigators, faculty directors, and program managers
Monitoring internal controls and reviewing financial dashboards to identify and remedy unusual or non-compliance transactions

Benefits

Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.
Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands.
Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 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. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions, we also offer two additional floating holidays.
Cornell's 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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