Transaction Specialist

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.

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:

• 3 to 5 years of finance and accounting experience.
• Experience supporting sponsored projects, including…