Finance Specialist II - Academic Budget & Reporting

Cornell University; Town of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell University's Department of Physics, within the College of Arts and Sciences, seeks a Finance Specialist II to manage financial operations, reporting, and budgeting. The role supports travel, subaward payments, and space inventory coordination, ensuring compliance with university policies.

Requirements include an associate degree or coursework in accounting/finance with 4–6 years of related experience, strong Excel skills, and the ability to handle confidential information with sound

Qualifications

• Associate's degree or coursework in accounting, finance, or related field with 4–6 years of relevant administrative or financial experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience with financial information, budgets, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Proficiency with Excel and ability to learn university financial systems.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and exercise sound judgment.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial management, reporting, budgeting, travel, and operational support for the Department of Physics.
• Monitor and analyze financial activity; prepare budgets and financial reports; ensure compliance with university policies.
• Coordinate travel operations, subaward payments, and the annual department space inventory.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of university and college financial policies and procedures.

Skills

Independent work

Multitasking

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Policy interpretation

Confidential data handling

Education

Associate's degree or coursework in accounting/finance/related field

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance/related field (preferred)

Tools

Excel

Microsoft Office

Kuali (financial system)

Job description

Cornell University's Department of Physics, within the College of Arts and Sciences, seeks a Finance Specialist II to manage financial operations, reporting, and budgeting. The role supports travel, subaward payments, and space inventory coordination, ensuring compliance with university policies.

Requirements include an associate degree or coursework in accounting/finance with 4–6 years of related experience, strong Excel skills, and the ability to handle confidential information with sound