Senior Financial Analyst

Cornell University • Ithaca, NY

11d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position is located in Ithaca, N.Y., Cornell University is a bold, innovative, inclusive, and dynamic teaching and research university where staff, faculty, and students alike are challenged to make an enduring contribution to the betterment of humanity. Cornell University is one of the largest and most diverse institutions in the Ivy League. We are a community of 22,000 students and more than 10,000 faculty and staff members representing more than 80 countries and hundreds of disciplines—global cultures, backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and ideas. The Division of Budget and Planning supports Cornell University’s academic mission and long‑term sustainability through institutional budgeting, financial and strategic planning, resource allocation, and analysis. The Division is responsible for developing planning assumptions; preparing and consolidating operating and capital budgets across the Ithaca campus, Cornell Tech, and Weill Cornell Medicine; supporting space and capital planning; and overseeing institutional research, accreditation, and external reporting. Within the Division, the University Budget Office works closely with colleges and administrative units to develop, implement, and report on the Ithaca campus operating plan. The office serves as a steward of institutional resources by forecasting revenue and expenses; providing analytical context for planning assumptions and budget policies; coordinating allocation and policy issues with senior leadership; monitoring resource use; modeling the impact of program and policy changes; and providing specialized budget services to meet New York State (NYS) and SUNY requirements. The Budget Office also maintains budget schedules, systems, and tools, and provides training to support the annual budget development process. Additional information about the Division of Budget and Planning and the University Budget Office is available at Division of Budget and Planning website. The Facilities and Campus Services (FCS) Finance team is responsible for financial oversight, budgeting, forecasting, analysis, reporting, and compliance. The team supports capital planning, projects, and strategic use of funds. Strategic partners to the organization’s leadership and operational line management in the development of new programs and services. Provide financial guidance for multiple sources of funds as well as accounting issues. Ensure the accuracy, and integrity of the financials. We work collaboratively within the Office of Budget and Planning as well as with the Division of Financial Services and partners across campus.

Requirements

• A cover letter and resume are required for consideration for this position. When applying to the position through our system, please attach your resume/cover letter in either Microsoft Work or PDF format.
• 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. This includes providing data analysis to inform decision making.
• The financial integrity of the financial statements ensuring adherence 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.
• Develop 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. This includes, but is not limited to, the Division of Financial Services, and the Shared Service Center (SSC).
• Fostering 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.

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