Transaction Specialist

Cornell University; Ithaca (MI); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement contributions

Wellbeing programs

Employee discounts

Job summary

Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, is seeking a Transaction Specialist to manage financial transactions across CLASSE and related facilities. The role emphasizes accuracy, policy compliance, and collaboration with the finance team.

The candidate should have 2–4 years of accounting/finance experience, strong Excel/Office skills, and the ability to handle confidential information. A hybrid work arrangement is available, with a focus on supporting diverse research operations.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree with 2–4 years’ accounting/finance experience.
• Excellent customer service, communication, organizational and analytical skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative in a demanding environment.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with tact and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Process, review, and reconcile financial transactions with accuracy and compliance.
• Independently research and resolve complex transactions and issues.
• Support financial stewardship of multi-million-dollar facilities by maintaining records.
• Serve as a resource on transaction processes, funding sources, systems.
• Collaborate with finance staff and stakeholders to resolve issues and support operations.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Excel

Word

Outlook

Interpersonal skills

Independent work

Confidentiality

Education

Associate’s degree

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Kuali

OBIEE Answers

OSP Portal

Longview

Job description

This position is located on the Cornell University Campus in Ithaca, New York. You will be expected to work in Ithaca, although you may be permitted to perform a portion of your work remotely.

Note: No Visa sponsorship is available for this position.

The Opportunity:

The Division of Budget and Planning supports Cornell’s academic mission through budgeting, financial planning, resource allocation, and institutional analysis. Within the division, the Research & Innovation (RI) team partners with research facilities, laboratories, institutes, and centers to provide financial leadership, budget oversight, reporting, and compliance support. The team supports both complex sponsored research awards and specialized research facilities, helping ensure the financial stewardship and operational success of Cornell’s research enterprise.

Reporting to the Service Facility Finance Manager, the Transaction Specialist supports the financial operations of the Cornell Laboratory for Accelerator-Based Sciences and Education (CLASSE) and other research facilities, laboratories, institutes, and research centers across Cornell. Working closely with the CLASSE Business Office and colleagues throughout the Research & Innovation Finance team, the position helps ensure the accurate and efficient management of financial transactions across a diverse portfolio of funding sources, including service facility revenue, sponsored projects, gifts, and institutional allocations.

In this role you will:

• Process, review, and reconcile a variety of financial transactions while ensuring accuracy, compliance, and adherence to university policies and procedures.
• Independently research and resolve complex or non-routine financial transactions, discrepancies, and processing issues.
• Support the financial stewardship of multi-million-dollar research facilities and core operations by maintaining accurate financial records and documentation.
• Serve as a resource on financial transaction processes, funding sources, systems, and institutional requirements.
• Collaborate with finance staff, business office partners, and departmental stakeholders to obtain information, resolve issues, and support efficient financial operations.

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.

Additional information about the Division of Budget and Planning and the University Budget Office is available at Division of Budget and Planning website.

Required Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree with minimum 2 years and less than 4 years’ experience in accounting, finance or business administration or equivalent combination of education and work experience
• Excellent customer service, communication, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of constituents, including faculty, staff, students, and partners across the university.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, take initiative, and proactively address issues in a demanding environment.
• Ability to work quickly and effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment where processes and procedures frequently evolve.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with tact, diplomacy, advocacy, and professionalism.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 3 to 5 years of finance and accounting experience.
• Experience supporting sponsored projects, including proposal administration, fund management, and post-award financial activities.
• Knowledge of sponsored fund management, university accounting practices, and applicable policies and procedures.
• Experience with Cornell policies and extensive experience using university administrative systems, including Kuali, OBIEE Answers, OSP Portal, Longview, and other financial and budget applications.

Benefits and Perks:

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability. Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions, we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell.
• Cornell’s impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children’s Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

University Job Title:

Accounts Rep IV

Job Family:

Fin/Budget/Planning

Level:

D

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Pay Range:

$26.08 - $30.31

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

Company:

Endowed

Contact Name:

Sarah Oliveira

Contact Email:

[e-mail]

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
• Unique applicable skills
• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

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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.