Senior Financial Reporting Specialist

Senior Financial Reporting Specialist

The Opportunity

The Ashley School of Global Development is seeking a Senior Financial Reporting Specialist to join our finance team. This position plays a key role in supporting faculty and advancing the school's research mission by providing expert financial and post-award research administration.

The successful candidate will partner with faculty, staff, and university offices to manage sponsored research awards, ensure compliance with sponsor and university policies, and provide financial guidance throughout the lifecycle of research projects. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys problem-solving, building strong working relationships, and supporting a dynamic academic environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide financial and research administration support to faculty and the Finance Manager.
• Manage post-award sponsored research administration, including account setup and closeout.
• Monitor grant expenditures, salary planning, effort distribution, cost sharing, and subcontract administration.
• Ensure compliance with sponsor requirements and university policies.
• Serve as a liaison with the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) and Sponsored Fund Services (SFS).
• Provide guidance and support to Financial Reporting Specialists within the Ashley School.
• Collaborate with the University Shared Service Center (SSC) to improve financial processes and deliver exceptional faculty support.
• Partner with the Graduate Field Assistant (GFA) to monitor graduate student funding and appointments.
• Work with the Chair's Assistant, HR Coordinator, and Onboarding Coordinator to confirm funding sources for faculty, staff, and temporary appointments.
• Participate in finance team meetings to identify opportunities for process improvements and implement best practices.
• Engage in ongoing professional development to maintain expertise in research administration and financial management.

This is a full-time (39 hours/week) Contract College position based in Ithaca, NY. This position follows a 4:1 campus-to-come hybrid work arrangement. This hybrid work arrangement is subject to change at any time. Typical work hours are 8:00am-4:30pm Monday through Friday, with some flexibility to adjust as needed.   

About the Ashley School of Global Development

Leveraging research, teaching and extension to address many of the world’s biggest challenges and creating a dynamic ecosystem for discovery and innovation that contributes to resilient, sustainable and equitable futures in New York State and around the world.

What We Need

We are seeking a collaborative team member with experience in grant management, accounting, and salary planning. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, organized, and able to work effectively with colleagues to support financial and administrative operations. Additionally, you will have: 

• 2 years college coursework, or Associate’s Degree or other formal four-years and less than 6 years’ experience in finance, business administration, organizational development, or related field.  2 years, but less than 3 years of experience or equivalent combination. 
• Experience with computer applications Microsoft Excel, Word, Access, FileMaker
• Attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills are critical.  Able to work quickly and effectively under pressure. 
• Ability to use judgment in accomplishing tasks that are urgent or of a sensitive nature while successfully balancing conflicting priorities, while consistently maintaining confidentiality. 
• Aptitude to work in an environment where change in processes/procedures is the norm.  Excellent customer service skills and demonstrated ability to communicate both orally and in writing with a broad range of internal and external customers is essential. 
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.  Demonstrated history of reliability.  Experience that demonstrates sound judgment and creativity. 
• Experience working independently while supporting the efforts and successfully collaborate with an overall team
• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• Ability to serve as an advocate for individuals of all ethnicities, genders, ages, and backgrounds.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members. 

If you possess these experiences and skills this may be the role for you! There are a few other qualifications we would view as incredibly helpful in this role, to