Job Description

Title: Director, Financial Controls & Operations

Location: Midtown

Org Unit: Financial Reporting and Analysis

Work Days:

Weekly Hours: 35.00

Exemption Status: Exempt

Salary Range: $177,000.00 - $203,900.00

*As required under NYC Human Rights Law Int 1208-2018 - Salary range for this role when Hired for NYC Offices

The Director of Financial Controls & Operations leads the day-to-day evaluation and ongoing optimization of financial-related internal controls across a complex academic medical center. This position ensures the integrity of financial operations and serves as an expert on internal controls, providing strategic guidance and technical expertise to central units and departments. The role is accountable for designing and maintaining a robust internal control framework, driving continuous process improvement, ensuring audit readiness, and collaborating with key stakeholders to support fiscal integrity and operational excellence across the institution.

Job Responsibilities

• Oversee the company’s financial internal control program (under COSO framework), including scoping, risk assessment, control design, testing, and remediation.
• Develop policies, processes, and control documentation across key financial and operational workflows.
• Conduct regular assessments of internal control systems to ensure effectiveness and compliance.
• Monitor and track the implementation of internal control action plans.
• Establish and maintain a training program on internal controls, risks, and other financial compliance topics.
• Support responses to internal and external audit requests.
• Perform complex data analysis using audit software (e.g., ACL, IDEA, Python) to identify trends, outliers, and anomalies in financial and operational data.
• Develop data visualizations and dashboards to present controls effectiveness and analytical results to management.
• Partner cross-functionally to develop and strengthen appropriate entity-level controls, business process controls, incident reporting frameworks, and reporting structures.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to business leaders on internal controls, risk management, and promote a culture of compliance.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or related field

Experience

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in internal controls, compliance, or auditing (external and/or internal).
• Experience in higher education, not-for profit institutions or public sector organizations.
• Big 4 firm experience is a plus.
• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Workday) and data extraction.
• Proven track record of designing, implementing and monitoring scalable internal controls across financial systems.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of financial reporting and internal controls regulations, including GAAP, COSO, and SOX.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, SQL, ACL, Python, Power BI).
• Strong project management skills and the ability to drive accountability in a cross-functional environment.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

Licenses and Certifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), CIA, or other relevant certifications.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “any person, any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.