Senior Financial Analyst

Cornell University • Ithaca, MI

6d • $77,831 - $90,453 • Hybrid

About The Position

This position is located in Ithaca, N.Y., at Cornell University, a large and diverse Ivy League institution. The Division of Budget and Planning supports the university's academic mission through budgeting, financial planning, resource allocation, and analysis. The University Budget Office specifically works with colleges and administrative units to develop, implement, and report on the Ithaca campus operating plan, acting as a steward of institutional resources by forecasting revenue and expenses, providing analytical context for planning assumptions and budget policies, and monitoring resource use. The Facilities and Campus Services (FCS) Finance team is responsible for financial oversight, budgeting, forecasting, analysis, reporting, and compliance, supporting capital planning and strategic use of funds. They act as strategic partners to leadership and operational management, providing financial guidance and ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financials, working collaboratively with other divisions and departments.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and three or more years of relevant experience in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, accounting, or a related financial function or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to provide guidance to others, perform appropriate data analysis, budgeting and forecasting, and general ledger reconciliations.
• Proficiency in computer software applications, with expertise in the Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and related add-ins, to support data analysis, reporting, and operational decision-making.
• Ability to quickly learn, adopt, and leverage emerging technologies to develop and enhance routine and ad hoc reports, analyses, and reporting solutions that support strategic divisional initiatives and informed decision-making.
• Experience working with financial systems, reporting tools, and databases.
• Demonstrated ability to improve, streamline, or automate financial processes and reporting activities.
• Knowledge of financial management principles, budgeting practices, and internal controls.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and project management skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to explain financial information to diverse audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work effectively both independently and collaboratively.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, accuracy, sound judgment, and commitment to maintaining confidentiality.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Nice To Haves

• Training in financial management and cost accounting principles or equivalent desired.
• Knowledge of Cornell policies, on-line accounting systems, OBIEE Answers, and visualization tools such as Tableau and Power BI.

Responsibilities

• Developing and implementing automation of processes and complex financial modeling to improve service delivery to assist in department reporting and metric processing.
• Working closely with the unit directors and managers to prepare monthly forecasting and quarterly / annual financial reporting.
• Acting as the key point of contact for financial information and expertise for units supported, including providing data analysis to inform decision making.
• Ensuring the financial integrity of the financial statements, adhering to University Policy and procedures.
• Responsible for the detailed budget development for units supported and development of complex models including internal overhead cost recovery.
• Providing reports and presentations for ad hoc requests for divisional financial information in support of executive decision making and strategic development and initiatives, including supporting unit audits.
• Interpreting University financial policies and procedures to provide guidance to team members.
• Developing models for unit needs such as long-range forecasting.
• Preparing and analyzing financial reports and trends to support management in achieving operating objectives.
• Developing and maintaining professional working relationships within the Office of Budget & Planning and other Cornell departments, including the Division of Financial Services, and the Shared Service Center (SSC).

Benefits

• educational benefits
• access to a plethora of wellness programs
• employee discounts with local and national retail brands
• health care
• generous paid leave provisions
• 3 weeks of vacation
• 14 university paid holidays (including end of year winter break through New Year’s Day)
• superior employer retirement contributions

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior