Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-61916, 333-61672, 333-17011, 333-16635, 033-60607, 333-119887 and 333-119590) of Community Bank System, Inc. of our report dated March 13, 2009 relating to the financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10-K.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Buffalo, New York

March 13, 2009

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