Post Award Associate

Post Award Associate
Finance Specialist II
Office of the Vice President for Research & Innovation (OVPRI)

Who We Are

Research and Innovation (RI), led by the Vice President for Research and Innovation (VPRI), enables, and advances the University’s research priorities as well as research activities of Cornell facilities, laboratories, institutes, and research centers (FLICS).

The Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) houses the RI Finance & Budget team and within is the Post Award Finance group. RI Finance’s primary purpose is to serve in a leadership role for budget and reporting for RI, prepare the Annual Research Expenditure Report (ARE), and various Office of University Controller (OUC) initiatives. The Post Award Finance group’s primary purpose is to provide comprehensive financial support and serve as a financial lead and subject matter expert. Serving as a financial resource for large, complex multi-disciplinary sponsored awards, as well as supporting other select requests for campus units that would otherwise not have such support. By design, support is available to manage related administrative and financial matters associated with a faculty member’s research portfolio, so that the faculty member may focus on the technical and academic content.

What You Will Do

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically 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.

The Accounts Representative is a key member of the Post Award Finance group, working closely with the team lead and the broader research administration community. This role is responsible for providing high-level, confidential services in the preparation of post-award financial reporting and analysis. Additionally, the Accounts Representative offers general guidance for post-award financial needs of the research centers.

Key Responsibilities include: Acting as a liaison between the project management team and the Office of Sponsored Programs, assisting in the development and implementation of financial management strategies, ensuring compliance with policies and procedures related to successful proposal submissions, preparing and submitting complex financial reports that meet the needs of Principal Investigators (PIs) and unit requirements, as well as sponsor guidelines, overseeing sub-contract activities, supporting unit financial management and reporting requirements in coordination with the program managers and principal investigators (PI) within the centers.

This position will collaborate with the RI Finance team to support RI-wide activities, including, but not limited to, working independently, with guidance from the Supervisor, as necessary, regarding General Accounting support, financial planning, budgeting, reporting, analytical responsibilities related to Office of University Controller (OUC) initiatives, contribute to Internal Controls implementation/maintenance, Annual Certifications, year-over-year variance reporting/analysis, Kuali Financial System (KFS) org and account maintenance, complex reconciliations, ad hoc reporting requests, and special financial projects as they arise. Additionally, this role will provide ad hoc analytical information to the Supervisor, particularly as it relates to their units. This position is crucial in developing and streamlining RI Finance processes, maintaining organized documentation, and ensuring updates are accurately recorded.

What We Need
We ask you to submit a cover letter and resume outlining your interest in this position and explaining how your experience and qualifications match the position requirements.
When reviewing your materials and evaluating your candidacy, we will look for evidence of the following:

• Associates degree in business, finance, accounting or other related field or equivalent combination of education and experience; 1 to 2 years of experience with sponsored research administration, including post-award financial reporting, budget adjustments, monitoring expenditures, collaborating with faculty and administrative staff or equivalent combination of education and experience.

•  Experience with financial analysis, sponsored awards, reporting, budgeting, and accounting fundamentals.

• Highly developed accounting analytical and reporting skills, which includes demonstrated experience utilizing spreadsheets and databases (Excel), as well as complex data applications and delivery systems (Kuali dashboards, RASS, applications, and queries, Workday, etc.).

• Ability to utilize Microsoft Office tools. Demonstrated skillset includes providing strong customer service and communication abilities.

• Accuracy, attention to detail, analytical, time management, problem-solving, flexibility and organizational skills.

• Work independently as well as collaboratively in a fast-paced, customer-oriented, team environment.

• Organize, plan and prioritize multiple competing work activities under pressure.

• Maintain confidential information stored on the shared drive and/or communicated directly with discretion.

• Positive team attitude and professionalism. 

• Embrace change and challenges.

•  Functional with sponsored (e.g. pre/post award) financial information.

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.

• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members. 

What We Prefer

Additionally, we would like to see evidence of:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance accounting or another related field.

• Advanced excel proficiency (e.g. pivot tables, VLookups, etc.). 

• Functional utilizing University systems, including Longview Budget System, KFS, OBIEE/PI Dashboards, and Answers. 

• Experience with interpreting solicitations for research proposals and budget preparation, proposal submission systems or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Cornell Research Administration Certificate. 

• Accounting Certification Program. 

• Knowledge of Cornell policies, procedures, and programs. 

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is located in Ithaca, New York. The position will allow for the flexibility to work remotely 2-3 days per week. The New York Convenience of Employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholdings for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working temporarily outside New York State.

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.

• 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: https://hr.cornell.edu/benefits-pay.

• Our leave provisions include 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 to January 1.

• 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. Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/your-total-rewards.

Important Notes about Applying

• Please submit both a cover letter and a resume to be considered for this position.
• The search committee will review applications as received and conduct interviews on a rolling basis.
• There is no visa sponsorship available for this position.

Familiarize yourself with Cornell's COVID-19 workplace guidance as well as the university's COVID-19 services and information.

University Job Title:

Finance Specialist II

Job Family:

Fin/Budget/Planning

Level:

E

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$65,447.00 - $76,060.00

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

Company:

Endowed

Contact Name:

Kristie Devine

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:

If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell.

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 University's Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX 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:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, 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. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law. 

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

2024-12-13