Finance Coordinator

Columbia University; New York (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia University in New York, NY, is seeking a Finance Coordinator for Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S). This role manages financial operations, ensures fiscal integrity, and collaborates with university finance offices to maintain audit readiness.

The position supports reporting, cost analysis, and process improvements within a dynamic environment. The incumbent will liaise with the EVPR Associate Director of Finance, oversee accounts payable, procurement, and invoicing, and help

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s may substitute.
• 4–6 years of progressively responsible experience in business, financial, and/or operational/project management.
• Experience with Columbia University financial systems (ARC, FDS, FINSYS, PaymentWorks, CU Marketplace, Concur) strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office required. Proficiency in Qualtrics and Drupal (or comparable web content management systems) a plus.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across EH&S Programs and organizational levels.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills; ability to manage competing priorities independently and with minimal supervision.
• High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism.
• Proven ability to adapt in a fast-paced, evolving environment and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Manage budget planning, financial reporting, and day-to-day financial operations for the department.
• Ensure accurate, timely processing and oversight of Accounts Payable, procurement, vendor management, and reimbursement transactions.
• Review financial activity for compliance with University policies; provide guidance and clarification to staff on procedures and best practices.
• Serve as departmental subject matter expert for Columbia financial systems, including ARC, FDS, FINSYS, PaymentWorks, CU Marketplace, and Concur.
• Produce detailed in-depth financial analyses and campus-level spending reports to inform leadership decision-making and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Partner with program leaders and EVPR Associate Director of Finance to monitor and manage budgets; improve resource allocation and enhance accounting efficiency.
• Escalate complex financial matters appropriately and collaborate with University finance offices to ensure resolution.
• Design and implement process improvements, tracking tools, and internal guides to strengthen operational effectiveness and internal controls.
• Monitor and analyze internal University chargebacks and service-related expenses, ensuring billing accuracy, resolving discrepancies, and facilitating timely corrections to maintain fiscal accountability.
• Provide oversight of transactions processed by internal EH&S administrative team.
• Establish annual revenue invoicing process for entities retaining EH&S services and follow up on payments. (e.g. Barnard, NYSPI, Joint Ventures, etc.)
• Maintain complete, audit-ready financial records and documentation.
• Support senior leadership with special projects requiring discretion and analytical rigor.
• Support front end office with administrative back-up (phones, conference room IT prep, etc.)
• Serve as delegate for Executive leadership, processing expenses via the Concur platform.
• Department credit card (pcard and corporate card) administration and reconciliation.
• Other duties as assigned and related to this position.

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Tools

ARC

FDS

FINSYS

PaymentWorks

CU Marketplace

Concur

Job description

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule: Mon - Fri 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Building: 617 West 168th Street, 2nd Flr
• Salary Range: $79,500 - $91,700

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Associate Director of Human Resources and Staff Development, Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), the Finance Coordinator provides financial management of all EH&S finance processes. This role ensures fiscal integrity, operational efficiency, and compliance with University policies while advancing the mission of EH&S.

The Finance Coordinator serves as the primary liaison to University Finance, represents departmental interests in institutional initiatives, and drives continuous improvement across business processes. The position oversees financial reporting and analysis to evaluate cost efficiency and ensures strong internal controls and audit readiness. Incumbent will work with the EVPR Associate Director of Finance to adhere to set budget parameters.

This role requires sound judgment, discretion in handling confidential matters, cross-functional collaboration, the ability to operate effectively in a dynamic environment, and a thorough understanding of/strict adherence to University finance policies.

SUBJECT TO BUSINESS NEEDS, WE MAY SUPPORT FLEXIBLE AND HYBRID WORK ARRANGEMENTS. OPTIONS WILL BE DISCUSSED DURING THE INTERVIEW PROCESS.

Responsibilities

• Manage budget planning, financial reporting, and day-to-day financial operations for the department.
• Ensure accurate, timely processing and oversight of Accounts Payable, procurement, vendor management, and reimbursement transactions.
• Review financial activity for compliance with University policies; provide guidance and clarification to staff on procedures and best practices.
• Serve as departmental subject matter expert for Columbia financial systems, including ARC, FDS, FINSYS PaymentWorks, CU Marketplace, and Concur.
• Produce detailed in-depth financial analyses and campus-level spending reports to inform leadership decision-making and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Partner with program leaders and EVPR Associate Director of Finance to monitor and manage budgets; improve resource allocation and enhance accounting efficiency.
• Escalate complex financial matters appropriately and collaborate with University finance offices to ensure resolution.
• Design and implement process improvements, tracking tools, and internal guides to strengthen operational effectiveness and internal controls.
• Monitor and analyze internal University chargebacks and service-related expenses, ensuring billing accuracy, resolving discrepancies, and facilitating timely corrections to maintain fiscal accountability.
• Provide oversight of transactions processed by internal EH&S administrative team.
• Establish annual revenue invoicing process for entities retaining EH&S services and follow up on payments. (e.g. Barnard, NYSPI, Joint Ventures, etc.)
• Maintain complete, audit-ready financial records and documentation.
• Support senior leadership with special projects requiring discretion and analytical rigor.
• Support front end office with administrative back-up (phones, conference room IT prep, etc.)
• Serve as delegate for Executive leadership, processing expenses via the Concur platform.
• Department credit card (pcard and corporate card) administration and reconciliation.
• Other duties as assigned and related to this position.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required. A Master’s degree can may substitute in part for years of experience.
• Minimum of four to six (4-6) years of progressively responsible experience in business, financial, and/or operational/project management.
• Demonstrated expertise in financial analysis, compliance, and process improvements.
• Experience with Columbia University financial systems (ARC, FDS, FINSYS, PaymentWorks, CU Marketplace, Concur) strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office required. Proficiency in Qualtrics and Drupal (or comparable web content management systems) a plus.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across EH&S Programs and organizational levels.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills; ability to manage competing priorities independently and with minimal supervision.
• High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism.
• Proven ability to adapt in a fast-paced, evolving environment and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Type preferred qualifications

Other Requirements

• Type other requirements and/or special indicators if CUIMC

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.