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CU
Cornell University
CALS- Finance Specialist II- Molecular Biology and Genetics Department
Career Insights for Financial Operations Specialist
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What they do
A Financial Operations Specialist specializes in foreseeing or carrying out financial transactions or other routine operations that are influenced by compliance needs. Requires some knowledge of accounting, billing, customer service and contracts. Helps businesses and their customers resolve financial billing and reconciliation issues.
$76,885 / year median in New York
+4% projected growth
Job Description
Finance Specialist II The Opportunity As a university founded to be a place where "…any person can find instruction in any study," inclusion and belonging are at the core of our values and mission. We strive to be a welcoming, caring, healthy community where students, faculty, and staff with different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn, innovate, and work in an environment of respect, and feel empowered to engage in any community conversation. As a member of the Cornell University community, it is important to recognize our shared responsibility to each other to cultivate a culture of inclusion for all. Cornell Core values As a people manager and university leader you will model and support a culture of inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing by fostering an environment where everyone has the ability to thrive and navigate work and life's challenges because they feel like they belong and have the tools and support they need. While position responsibilities vary greatly, the Skills for Success and Leadership Skills for Success are foundational to what is expected of every employee and leader working at Cornell. These skills are essential for individual and organizational success. Staff Skills for Success ; Leadership Skills for Success About the College The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University's second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world's complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world. The Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics shares a leading role in research and teaching in modern biology at Cornell University. Faculty members are responsible for teaching over 70 courses. The research and teaching interests of the faculty include fundamental, as well as medically relevant problems in molecular biology, genetics, genomics, population genetics, cell biology, biochemistry, development, and macromolecular structure. The faculty also play key roles in life science and genomics research on the Ithaca campus and increasingly at Weill Medical (NYC). The department has over 30 faculty, 3 lecturers, and 2 research scientists, 35 other academics, over 30 non-academic staff; 20 visitors, temps and interns; and approximately 200 graduate students (spread across three fields). The annual operating budget is approximately $25-million, of which $13-million is grant and contract related. The department is located primarily in the Biotechnology building and Weill Hall which houses both individual laboratories and core facilities. What We Need Working independently under the general supervision of the senior director for administration, provide a wide variety of complex financial support services to the faculty, staff, and students of the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics. Operating revenues are derived from endowment income of $ 1.5 million; approximately $6 million from the Colleges of Arts and Sciences and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; and sponsored funds of approximately $16 million ($12 million in directs) annually. The department is large and complex and the incumbent must be fully conversant with the accounting rules and processes of the Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Arts and Sciences, as well as the Office of Management and Budget and the federal accounting standards of A-21. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: provide comprehensive financial/administrative services and management in the areas of procurement, accounting, analysis and reporting; planning, budgeting and analysis in support of the Sr. Director of Administration and the Chair. Assists senior management by applying his/her expertise in the interpretation and application of University policies, procedures and practices to meeting strategic and operational objectives. Collaborates with departmental staff responsible for grant proposal preparation and graduates student program as well as facilities and research support to assist them in developing working knowledge of University business operations so that all will utilize appropriate judgment in accomplishing their administrative duties. Directs workflow for the accounting office (2FTE). With the Sr. Director, works to improve service delivery, systems and reporting. Establishes close working relationship with accounting colleagues in the split bio departments and the managers of these departments. Collaborates regularly and provides advice and feedback on best practices at the unit level. Insures all unit operations in accordance with University policies and that internal controls are maintained. Monitors all unit financial transactions; provides regular reports to PIs on sponsored funds; reviews transactions, provides financial status reports to Sr. Director and Chair and ad hoc reports. Develops programs/processes that improve service and addresses customer needs. Provides recommendations for systems and operational enhancements. This is a full-time position at 100% FTE . 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 training for