Finance Specialist II - CAS - Department of Physics/LASSP

Cornell University; Ithaca (MI); On-site; USD 67,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell University seeks a Finance Specialist II in the Physics Department to manage financial reporting, budgeting, travel operations, and space inventory.

This full-time, 100% FTE role works with the Director of Administration, faculty, and staff to ensure accurate, compliant financial activity and timely reports. The position supports subawards, monitors funds across university and sponsored accounts, and carries out space management; no visa sponsorship or relocation assistance provided.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or coursework in accounting/finance with 4–6 years of relevant administrative or financial experience, preferably in an academic setting; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with financial information, budgets, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Demonstrated 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, ensuring sound fiscal management.
• Coordinate with the Director of Administration, Department Chair, faculty, staff, and other offices to ensure accurate and compliant departmental financial operations.
• Oversee departmental financial reporting, budget monitoring, forecasting, and ad hoc reporting for leadership.
• Serve as the department’s primary resource for travel operations, subaward payments, and space inventory coordination.

Skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Written and verbal communication

Independent work

Time management

Problem solving

Education

Associate degree or coursework in accounting/finance

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Kuali

Concur

Job description

The College of Arts and Sciences is the largest undergraduate college at Cornell and consists of approximately 4,600 undergraduates, 1,370 graduate students, 685 faculty, 40 academic departments, and 300 staff. The college receives almost 35,000 undergraduate applications per year.
The Department of Physics is renowned for the strength and versatility of its program; the breadth of its training and the reach of its influence is unsurpassed in many areas. Famous for its Nobel Prize-winning work in low-temperature physics and theoretical astrophysics, current research areas include high-energy particle physics, cosmology and astrophysics, accelerator physics, X-ray physics, physics education research, biological physics, soft condensed matter physics, quantum materials, and nanostructure physics. Located in the College of Arts and Sciences, the Physics Department is one of the largest units in the college and consists of 40 tenure-track faculty, approximately 180 PhD students, 70 undergraduate majors, multiple research centers, and many research collaborations at Cornell and around the world.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster 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.

Working independently under the general supervision of the Director of Administration, the Finance Specialist II provides comprehensive financial management, reporting, budgeting, travel, and operational support for the Department of Physics. The position serves as a key departmental resource for monitoring and analyzing financial activity, preparing budgets and financial reports, supporting sound fiscal management, and interpreting and applying University policies and procedures.

The Finance Specialist II works closely with the Director of Administration, Department Chair, faculty, staff, and colleagues in the College of Arts and Sciences, Shared Services Center (SSC), and other University offices to ensure that departmental financial operations are accurate, timely, compliant, and responsive to departmental needs.

The position has primary responsibility for departmental financial reporting and budget monitoring, including analysis of operating accounts and other departmental funds, forecasting, reconciliation, identification of financial issues, and preparation of regular and ad hoc reports for departmental leadership. The position also serves as the department’s primary resource for travel operations, subaward payments, and coordinates the annual departmental space inventory, including research space.

The department’s financial operations encompass a variety of University, College, departmental, and sponsored funding sources. The Finance Specialist II must develop and maintain a strong working knowledge of University and College financial policies, procedures, systems, and practices and apply appropriate judgment in carrying out responsibilities.

This is a full-time position at 100% FTE.

Required Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree or coursework in accounting, business administration, finance, or related field with 4-6 years of relevant administrative or financial experience, preferably in an academic setting; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with financial information, budgets, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Demonstrated 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field.
• Experience working in a large, complex academic or research environment.
• Experience with financial management in higher education, including sponsored and/or restricted funds.
• Working knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Experience with Cornell University financial and administrative systems, including Kuali and Concur.
• Experience preparing financial reports, budget projections, forecasts, and financial analyses.
• Familiarity with University, federal, and sponsor requirements governing the use of funds.
• Experience with space inventory, facilities data, or other institutional space-management processes.

No visa sponsorship or relocation assistance provided.

University Job Title:

Finance Specialist II

Job Family:

Fin/Budget/Planning

Level:

E

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$66,663.00 - $77,473.00

Remote Option Availability:

Onsite

Company:

Endowed

Contact Name:

Melissa Oliver

Contact Email:

[e-mail]

EEO Statement:

Cornellwelcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “… any person … any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeksjob candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. Wehire based on merit, andencourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2026-10-28