Financial Reporting Specialist

The Opportunity

This position provides comprehensive financial, administrative, and post-award research support within the Ashley School of Global Development and the Environment. It oversees financial operations, ensures compliance with university and sponsor regulations, and manages transactions across multiple funding sources. The role also serves as a key advisor to faculty and staff, resolving complex financial issues and supporting sound fiscal stewardship.

About the Ashley School of Global Development and the Environment

The the Ashley School of Global Development and the Environment advances research, teaching, and outreach to tackle some of the world's most pressing challenges. It fosters innovation and discovery to create resilient, sustainable, and equitable solutions. Its work benefits New York State while contributing to global progress.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide financial, administrative, and post-award research support for departmental, university, and sponsored funds.
• Monitor accounts and review financial transactions for accuracy, compliance, and proper allocation.
• Oversee salary distributions, labor allocations, fringe benefits, and indirect cost charges.
• Ensure compliance with university policies, sponsor guidelines, and external regulations.
• Interpret financial policies and advise faculty, staff, and administrators on fiscal matters.
• Resolve complex accounting and financial issues across multiple funding sources.
• Establish and manage sponsored research accounts for assigned faculty and Principal Investigators.
• Monitor grant expenditures and ensure alignment with approved budgets and sponsor requirements.
• Coordinate subcontracts and prepare cost-sharing reports.
• Support grant award closeout activities in collaboration with Sponsored Financial Services and central offices.
• Maintain accurate financial records and documentation in accordance with institutional policies.
• Assist with capital asset inventory and tracking.
• Develop and improve departmental financial procedures and internal controls.
• Provide backup support within the finance cluster as needed.
• Participate in ongoing professional development related to financial systems, policies, and sponsored research regulations.

What We Need

A resume and cover letter are required for further consideration.

• Associate's degree with 2-4 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Accounting experience and/or formal coursework in accounting principles and applications.
• Strong understanding of financial transactions, including account numbers, object codes, and their impact on financial statements.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to compile, interpret, and report complex financial data.
• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks, manage competing deadlines, and maintain confidentiality.
• Sound judgment in handling urgent, sensitive, or confidential matters.
• Strong customer service skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with standard office software applications.
• Ability to adapt to changing processes, procedures, and priorities in a dynamic work environment.
• Demonstrated accountability, professionalism, and reliability.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively as part of a team.
• Capacity to make informed decisions and seek guidance appropriately in complex or unusual situations.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have, but it's ok if you don't.

• Bachelor's degree preferred
• 2-4 years of focused experience in a financial office environment
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, KFS, Workday, and OBIEE dashboards
• Familiarity with Cornell University or other higher education institutions
• Sense of humor a plus!

This is a full-time (39 hours per week) Contract College position based in Ithaca, New York. The role requires an on-campus presence four days per week, with the flexibility to work remotely one day per week, subject to business needs and college policy. Standard working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with additional flexibility as needed.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 1 day per week and on-campus 4 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.
  
• 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.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

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