Capital Assets Analyst

This position is located in Ithaca, New York. The successful candidate will have the option to perform this role remotely at a location of their choosing within the United States.

The New York Convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholdings for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working outside New York State.

Note: No Visa sponsorship is available for this position.

What is the Division of Financial Services and the Capital Assets Department?
Cornell University, unique among peers, is the federal land-grant institution of New York State, a private endowed university, and a member of the Ivy League. The Division of Financial Services (DFS) provides central financial functions in support of the university’s academic mission. The Division of Financial Service’s vision is, "To deliver world-class financial services to the university." 

Capital Assets is responsible for processing capital asset records and maintaining and coordinating updates to and reporting from the capital asset inventory system. More...

Role Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Manager of Cost and Capital Assets, the Capital Assets Analyst will:

• Be responsible for the daily operations of the university’s capital asset function.
• Support financial statement preparation.
• Process capital asset-related entries in the general ledger.
• Maintain the capital asset system module.
• Oversee depreciation calculations.
• Perform detailed data analysis and reconciliations between the capital asset system, the general ledger, and the F&A model to ensure accuracy and compliance. 
• Participate in capital asset system implementations and testing and provides capital asset training and customer service to campus users.
• Manage the physical inventory process and ensure adherence to GAAP and applicable government regulations.
• Prepare required reports, including sponsored property reports.
• Interpret and apply both internal and external compliance requirements, and develop procedures and training materials to support ongoing compliance
• Work closely with internal and external auditors on financial statement audits, Uniform Guidance audits, and other government audits.

As an individual contributor you will model and support a culture of inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing and continually seek to understand how your role, behaviors, and actions impact the success of this culture.    

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

What we require:
A knowledgeable, resourceful and team-oriented individual that has:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field with 3 to 5 years’ experience working with capital assets, fixed asset accounting, or financial operations in a complex organization.

Technical Skills

• Understanding of GAAP, capital asset accounting principles, and depreciation methodologies.
• Experience preparing or supporting financial statements and audit processes.
• Proficiency with general ledger systems and capital asset modules.
• Advanced Excel skills, including the ability to manipulate and analyze large datasets, and use pivot table and lookup functionality.
• Ability to understand how capital asset activity impacts financial statements, cost recovery models, and the F&A rate.

Analytical & Problem‑Solving Skills

• Strong analytical abilities with experience performing reconciliations across multiple systems.
• Ability to identify discrepancies, research issues, and recommend solutions.
• Comfort working with complex data structures and translating findings into clear, actionable insights.

Compliance & Audit Readi