Temporary Finance Assistant (Cornell Botanic Gardens); Ithaca, New York

Temporary Finance Assistant

Nonexempt
Cornell Botanic Gardens

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)

Ithaca, New York

Who We Are

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: natural and human systems; food, energy, and environmental resources; and social, physical, and economic well-being.

Cornell Botanic Gardens is a living plant museum comprising over 3,800 acres of University land in three major areas: the Botanical Gardens, Arboretum, and Natural Areas. An administrative unit of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), Cornell Botanic Gardens manages and protects these areas to support teaching and research at Cornell University; to preserve habitats and rare/endangered plants; and for public use for learning and recreation.

What You Will Do

As a Temporary Finance Assistant, you will work under the general direction of the Administrative Manager to provide a wide range of financial, budgeting, and accounting support to the Cornell Botanic Gardens. Responsibilities include:

• Processing financial transactions, including general ledger transfers, salary transfers, fund transfers, internal billing, and distribution of income and expense edocs in accordance with department and university procedures.

• Conducting monthly financial reviews to ensure appropriate funds management and compliance.

• Maintaining department accounts in Kuali Financial System (KFS), including establishing new accounts, editing accounts, and closing accounts.

• Processing invoice payments, travel reimbursements and payments to speakers.

• Reviewing expenditures on grants and contracts, tracking labor distribution charges, and preparing Salary Transfer edocs and other corrections as needed.

• Purchasing supplies for business and administrative operations and submitting purchase order requests, including procurement of vehicle and equipment capital assets.

• Assisting with other business unit projects, including monitoring and maintaining records for all-risk and vehicle insurance, updating the capital asset inventory, and maintaining department financial information for staff, and other duties.

What We Need

We are looking for a talented individual who excels at building and maintaining effective relationships with different stakeholders, has proven finance-related skills and experience, and is enthusiastic about supporting the Cornell Botanic Gardens. Specifically, we need someone who has the following: 

• Associate's Degree and 2+years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Accounting experience and/or formal coursework in accounting applications.

• Must be able to understand and accurately apply account numbers, sub-account, object codes, rules, and policies to transactions and understand the impact on financial statements.

• Demonstrated ability to compile, analyze, and report on complex financial data.

• Excellent customer service skills with demonstrated ability to communicate and work with a broad range of people, such as outside vendors and all levels of Cornell faculty, staff and students, exemplifying Cornell values at all times.

• Attention to detail/accuracy, organizational skills, and multi-step project skills.

• Demonstrated accountability in all work responsibilities, including the ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with utmost discretion and integrity and meet critical deadlines.

• Knowledge of how to balance conflicting priorities, make informed choices, and use sound judgment in completing urgent tasks.

• Operate with independence within a cooperative team framework, applying resourcefulness and efficiency to regular tasks, consulting with the supervisor on questionable situations and prioritization challenges, showing initiative and presenting ideas and solutions whenever possible.

• Expertise in Excel and standard business productivity software.

• 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 that we would view as incredibly helpful in this role, including:

• Familiarity with Cornell University financial systems and applications.