Academic Finance Specialist II — Budgets & Reporting

Cornell University Library; Town of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell University is seeking a Finance Specialist II in the Department of Physics/LASSP on the Ithaca campus. The role provides comprehensive financial management, budgeting, reporting, travel, and operational support, serving as a key resource for monitoring financial activity and policy interpretation across the department.

Responsibilities include preparing budgets, financial reports, and ad hoc analyses, while ensuring compliance with university policies and safeguarding confidential

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or coursework in accounting, business administration, finance, or related field with 4–6 years of relevant administrative or financial experience.
• Demonstrated experience 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 in completing assignments.
• 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.
• Compliant with all Cornell University and job-related training requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive financial management, reporting, budgeting, travel, and operational support for the Department of Physics.
• Monitor and analyze financial activity, prepare budgets and financial reports, support sound fiscal management.
• Interpret and apply University policies and procedures; communicate them effectively to others.
• Coordinate with Director of Administration, Department Chair, faculty and staff to ensure accurate, timely financial operations.
• Assist with travel operations, subawards, and annual space inventory processes.

Skills

Analytical skills

Decision making

Written & verbal communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

Associate’s degree in accounting, business administration, finance, or related field

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field

Tools

Kuali

Concur

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Cornell University is seeking a Finance Specialist II in the Department of Physics/LASSP on the Ithaca campus. The role provides comprehensive financial management, budgeting, reporting, travel, and operational support, serving as a key resource for monitoring financial activity and policy interpretation across the department.

Responsibilities include preparing budgets, financial reports, and ad hoc analyses, while ensuring compliance with university policies and safeguarding confidential