Accounting Transaction Specialist

Student and Campus Life (SCL) inspires transformation in all Cornell students on their journey of individual, academic, and personal evolution. Our division is comprised of leading student affairs experts who support our campus on pressing student life matters including public service, health, wellness, social justice, residential living, food services, sports, recreation, career services, and student activities and organizations including sorority and fraternity life. We provide support and services to roughly 25,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students on multiple campuses in the U.S. and abroad.

Within the Division of Student and Campus Life (SCL), the SCL-OVP financial and operational support team ensures the effective deployment of Information Technology, Facilities, Accounting, Data-Driven-Decision Capabilities, Risk Management, Management/Financial Reporting, Data and Business Analytics, and Financial Planning support services to departments within the division. Working collaboratively as integrated cross-functional partners, leaders from the SCL-OVP support team strive to enhance day-to-day operational effectiveness, deliver timely business reporting and information to stakeholders, manage key divisional processes and steward financial and capital resources on behalf of the SCL-VP.

   

In a team-focused, fast-paced, demanding, and continuously evolving environment, the Accounting Transaction Specialist serves as a member of the Student and Campus Life Financial Transactions Center’s accounting team supporting specific customer groups. This position coordinates, monitors and provides comprehensive accounting, financial, reporting support, and exceptional customer services for customer units in the areas of accounts receivable, accounts payable and general ledger.  

The Accounting Transaction Specialist will monitor, process and approve financial transactions while working closely with Financial Manager to ensure compliance and consistency with each transaction especially through accurately apply account numbers to transactions and understand impact on financial statements.  This position also interprets and advises on an array of University Policies & Procedures through daily interaction with all levels of university personnel, vendors, students and alumni.  In addition, this position partners with entire Financial Transaction Center team to develop and implement best practices and provides support to other teams during peak work periods as needed or requested. Finally, this Position is regularly required to exercise reasoning, analytical thought, creativity and innovation within scope of tasks.

A successful Accounting Transaction Specialist will:

• Possess excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize effectively multiple, concurrent projects while meeting tight deadlines in a fast-paced, flexible environment.
• Have a detail-oriented mind-set to ensure accurate transaction processing.
• Be flexible and able to respond to competing demands in a highly confidential and time-sensitive work environment.
• Thrive in an environment in which they are self-directed as well as demonstrate reliability and assume responsibility when coordinating with others on a consistent basis.
• Be forward-thinking, and collaborative with the ability to embrace new challenges and thrive in putting strategy into action.
• Have excellent communication skills, both verbally and written, and will communicate with diplomacy and tact, showing a high level of professional judgment.
• Assure data integrity, accuracy, completeness, and timely processing of reimbursements.

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.

Required Qualifications:

• Associate’s Degree in accounting, finance or related field.
• Proven experience of a minimum of 2 years in financial analysis and accounting transactions in the areas of accounts payable, accounts receivable and general ledger or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Attention to detail, excellent organizational and prioritization skills.
• Experienced and highly skilled in MS Excel with working knowledge of other Microsoft tools.
• Sophisticated judgment skills to balance the sometimes-competing objectives of business needs and risk aversion.
• Completion of Cornell’s accounting certification within first yea