All employees are accountable for supporting the organization’s values of truth, respect, excellence, teamwork, and integrity, in addition to supporting inclusive and sustainable practices in carrying out everyday responsibilities.
Under the direction of the Finance Manager, this position provides financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and analysis support for units within the Facilities Management (FM) department. The position serves as a financial resource and business partner for Building Care, Grounds, the R5 Waste & Recycling Program, FM Administration, and Operations, Logistics & Support Services. These operations have multiple funding sources and complex cost recovery methodologies.
The Finance Specialist II works closely with unit directors and managers to develop budgets, prepare monthly forecasts, and deliver quarterly and annual financial reporting. The position serves as the primary financial point of contact for assigned units, providing expertise, guidance, and insight to support effective financial management and operational decision-making.
Responsibilities include ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial information and adherence to University policies and procedures; developing detailed operating budgets; preparing billing rates and internal cost recovery models; and monitoring financial performance through variance analysis, trend analysis, and management reporting. The position also prepares monthly headcount reports and provides financial information to support workforce planning and operational decisions.
The Finance Specialist II collaborates with Finance team members to develop presentations, reports, and analyses that support executive decision-making and strategic planning. The position supports audits, interprets University financial policies and procedures, and provides guidance to departments on financial processes and best practices.
The position develops financial models and tools to support long-range forecasting, scenario planning, reporting improvements, and operational metrics. The position identifies opportunities to streamline financial processes, improve reporting capabilities, and increase automation to enhance service delivery.
The Finance Specialist II develops and maintains effective working relationships with partners across Cornell University, including the Division of Financial Services, the Division of Planning and Budget, and the Shared Services Center (SSC), as well as other departments and stakeholders.
Ours is a values–based organization where all employees are accountable for supporting the organization’s values of truth, respect, excellence, teamwork, and integrity. Employees are required to attend staff development trainings and participate in the performance evaluation process.
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.
This is an Endowed position with a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically work on-site two days per week and remotely three days per week. This is subject to change based on University and departmental needs.
We are a value–based organization where all employees are accountable for supporting the organization’s values of truth, respect, excellence, teamwork, and integrity. Facilities and Campus Services employees are required to attend staff development trainings and participate in the performance evaluation process.
We require these qualifications:
Minimum of an associate’s degree with 2 years relevant work experience or bachelor’s degree or combination of education and work experience.
Ability to develop complex financial models, perform appropriate data analysis, budget and forecasting, and general ledger reconciliations.
Strong interpersonal, communication skills, organization skills, and the ability to work in a team environment are required.
Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members
You will be a top candidate with our preferred qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business or related field strongly preferred in addition to three or more years of in-depth analytical, forecasting and budget experience.
Computer software proficiency and expertise, especially in the use of MS Office Suite with a strong emphasis on Excel and Power BI.
Knowledge of Cornell policies, on-line accounting systems (Kuali) and OBIEE Answers experience.
Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.
Rewards & Benefits:
Cornell provides great benefits that include educational benefits, access to a plethora of wellness programs, employee discounts with local and national retail brands, health care options to choose from, generous paid leave provisions: 3 weeks of vacation leave, health and personal leave, 13 holidays (including end of year winter break through New Year’s Day), 2 floating holidays, and superior retirement contributions.
Cornell has also been nationally recognized as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives. For more information click here.
Application Procedure:
Interested parties should submit a resume and cover letter describing qualifications on-line at https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs under staff positions section.
When applying through our system, please remember to attach resume and cover letter in either Microsoft Word or PDF format. In the Experience section of your application, use the ‘Drop Files Here’ box to manually drag document(s) into your application. For a more detailed description and instructions on how to apply online please click here.
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:
Hybrid
Company:
Endowed
Contact Name:
Tonya Eiklor
Contact Email:
[email protected]
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.
Current Employees:
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Online Submission Guidelines:
Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter. You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.
Employment Assistance:
For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [email protected].
If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at [email protected].
Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing [email protected].
Notice to Applicants:
Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.
EEO Statement:
Cornell welcomes 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 seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage 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.
2026-05-22Skills Required
- Associate's degree with 2 years relevant work experience or bachelor's degree or combination of education and work experience
- Ability to develop complex financial models, perform data analysis, budgeting and forecasting, and general ledger reconciliations
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills and ability to work in a team environment
- Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business or related field and 3+ years analytical, forecasting and budget experience
- Proficiency in MS Office Suite with strong emphasis on Excel and Power BI
- Knowledge of Cornell policies, online accounting systems (Kuali) and OBIEE Answers
Cornell University Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Cornell University and has not been reviewed or approved by Cornell University.
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Healthcare Strength — Health plans are considered comprehensive with strong employer cost-sharing, including dental, vision, mental health, fertility, and access to no-cost counseling. This breadth and depth of coverage are repeatedly highlighted as a standout element of total rewards.
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Retirement Support — Employer retirement contributions are portrayed as generous across appointment types, with immediate-vesting options and access to financial consultations. This sustained institutional support reinforces long-term financial security for employees.
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Parental & Family Support — Family-focused programs such as childcare grants, adoption assistance, onsite childcare, lactation support, and children’s tuition scholarships provide tangible help for dependents. These offerings meaningfully augment overall compensation for employees with family needs.
Cornell University Insights
What We Do
Cornell is a privately endowed research university and a partner of the State University of New York. As the federal land-grant institution in New York State, we have a responsibility—unique within the Ivy League—to make contributions in all fields of knowledge in a manner that prioritizes public engagement to help improve the quality of life in our state, the nation, the world.
