Student Account Specialist

Position Summary:

The Student Account Specialist/Bursar is primarily responsible for managing student accounts and accounts receivable functions, including bursar operations, gift review, account reconciliations, and assisting with the month-end close process.

This position oversees the Seminary's Student Accounts function and is responsible for recording and collection tuition, fees, and other accounts receivable; reviewing gifts and donations; and maintaining and improving procedures related to student billing, posting charges to student account, and account reconciliation. The Student Account Specialist/Bursar also ensures the accuracy and integrity of student account records while providing excellent customer service to students and other stakeholders.

Qualifications required:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting.
• 1-3 years of previous accounts receivable experience.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Effective and professional verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Outlook.

Qualifications preferred:

• Previous non-profit experience, preferably in higher education.
• Previous Jenzabar experience.
• Experience with student billing and posting charges to student accounts

Essential functions and responsibilities:

• Assist the Controller with the timely completion of the monthly financial close, including account reconciliations and preparation of journal entries.
• Maintain accurate financial records and reconcile accounts managed by the Bursar's Office to ensure the accuracy and completeness of billing, receipts, disbursements, and outstanding accounts receivable.
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies and applicable GETS, state, and federal regulations.
• Prepare and issue IRS Form 1098-T tax statements for eligible students.
• Process student billing and post tuition, fees, and other charges to student accounts each academic term.
• Process student refunds, including refunds resulting from credit balances and federal financial aid disbursements.
• Assist with the preparation and coordination of annual audit schedules and supporting documentation.
• Review clearing accounts and equipment maintenance accounts on a quarterly basis to identify expenditures that should be capitalized as fixed assets.
• Prepare and post journal entries as assigned.
• Review and resolve student account holds and outstanding balances, communicating with students by phone and email as needed to facilitate registration.
• Promote and support student enrollment in Direct Deposit and Payment Plan programs.
• Prepare and process weekly bank deposits.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Success factors/job competencies:

• Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent problem analysis and problem resolution at functional levels.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Customer service orientation and collaboration mindset
• Willingness to go above and beyond job scope to get things accomplished
• Strong team player.

Physical demands and work environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to stand, walk, kneel, bend, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, and lift/move up to 25 pounds. The individual will regularly be required to communicate professionally in person, over the phone, and through email; and to sit, type, and stare at a computer monitor for prolonged periods.
• Work environment: Employee occasionally may be exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time but work is primarily performed indoors. The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal.