Associate Director of Student Accounts

Job Description

Job Description

PCN 920

Position Overview

Reporting to the Director of Student Accounts, the Associate Director of Student Accounts will support the mission of Student Financial Services by providing in-depth information and efficient, accurate, and timely services related to student accounts for a diverse and multicultural population of students, faculty, and staff of the College. This includes student billing, accounts receivable, student refunds, cashiering, health Insurance, student taxation, veteran benefits, and third-party billing.

This role collaborates with the Director of Student Accounts to ensure a seamless, efficient, and well-coordinated enrollment services experience. This role is responsible for strengthening service delivery, improving operational workflows, identifying opportunities for automation, and supporting the thoughtful use of technology, including emerging AI-enabled tools, to enhance student services and administrative processes. The position may include occasional evening and weekend availability, in person or remotely, during peak billing and enrollment periods. 

Position Responsibilities:

● Work with front desk staff to ensure the accurate, efficient processing of student payments and other college income through proper cash management and compliance with college policies and procedures.

● Generate and issue annual 1098-T and 1042-S forms in compliance with federal regulations.

● Administer all billing, including third-party (sponsored) billing of student accounts in an accurate and timely manner.

● Monitor student account aging reports, payment plans, payment due, student accounts, and collection with attention to detail and due diligence.

● Coordinate with third-party vendors for all collection placements.

● Coordinate the processing of all student refunds in accordance with federal, state, and school policy.

● Work with the Financial Aid Director on posting and reconciling all financial aid funding.

● Work with outside vendors to provide mandatory health insurance coverage for all non-insured 3/4-time students.

● Supervise the receipt and deposit of all funds received by the College, including

● tuition, fees, room and board, Federal grants and other income.

● Collaborate with other university departments to routinely test and manage system integration for business processes.

● Keep up-to-date on federal rules and regulations that pertain to student finances such as cash management, form 1098-T/1042-S preparation, and collections.

● Work with the VA Certifying Official to ensure accurate reflection of voucher on student accounts, timely notification of book voucher eligibility to the bookstore and billing as needed.

● Update & maintain the tuition and fee waiver tables in the student information system for processing according to the Board of Trustees.

● Remains current in best practices specific to areas of responsibility and ensures compliance with all board policies, state regulations, and federal regulations. Recommends and implements policies and procedures related to all areas of responsibility.

● Provides periodic review and analysis for student accounts as needed to approve student refunds for payment, minimize overdue student balances, Coordinates registration processes in collaboration with the offices of the Registrar, Admissions and Financial Aid. Anticipates communication needs and prepares communications for the web, catalog and schedule of courses.

● Supports and implements new college initiatives that impact student billings, payments or student accounts.

● Identify, investigate and troubleshoot student, payment or other online system problems and coordinate with the campus IT department and/or external vendors for corrective action.

● Provides a centralized area for cash depositing for the campus. Responsible for the safeguarding of cash and check handling campus-wide.

● Adheres to the Family Educational and Privacy Act (FERPA) while managing sensitive confidential information to diagnose and analyze the various facets of each student's financial situation. 

● Support appropriate exploration and use of AI-enabled tools in student services and administrative processing, with an emphasis on efficiency, service quality, data stewardship, and responsible operational application. 

● Utilize advanced Excel skills for reconciliation, financial modeling, audit preparation, regulatory reporting, and data analysis to inform decision-making and institutional planning. 

● Perform other duties as assigned.

Position Qualifications: 

● Bachelor's degree required, with 3 or more years of professional experience in higher education.

● Experience with Jenzabar J1 / SIS systems, CASHnet, and Microsoft Product Suite.

● In-depth knowledge base in student accounts, including knowledge of federal, state, and private rules, regulations, and guidelines governing the administration of general accounting principles for student accounts.

● Knowledge of integrated software systems as well as Windows applications file management, and the ability and willingness to learn new systems.

● High comfort level with technology and integrated system-process thinking. Excellent customer service, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to actively listen and be empathetic, sensitive, and diplomatic when discussing issues with students.

● Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive financial and personal information.

● Ability to make decisions independently

● Ability to understand complex processes and anticipate how changes impact other areas.

● Ability to be adaptable, intuitive, and flexible.

● Attention to detail

● Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends throughout the year as needed.

Application Materials Should Include:

• Resume 

• Cover letter stating motivation and interest in the position, citing experience relevant to the qualifications and including experience with, and commitment to, our Catholic Augustinian mission and our values.

• Contact information for three professional references

Application deadline: 5/30/2026

Work Location

This is an on-campus position as employees are essential in order to provide a fully on-campus, residential college experience for our students and the community.

This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminal background check. 

Statement on Our Mission

Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building an accepting and respectful community. Our mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired by our Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue.

Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect, and can contribute to Merrimack’s Catholic and Augustinian mission. All candidates should describe in their application how they will foster a culture that supports our mission.

 

About Merrimack College

The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England, Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than 4,100 undergraduate, 2,500 graduate students and 50 doctoral students from 48 states and 63 countries. The College features more than 160 career-focused undergraduate, professional and graduate programs, all taught by exceptional faculty who are passionate about their subject and student success. The College has six schools: arts and sciences, engineering and computational sciences, nursing and health sciences, education and social policy, the Girard school of business and the graduate school of counseling and social work. The College’s suburban 220-acre campus is just north of Boston in North Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Master’s Colleges and Universities/Larger Programs (M1) institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest growing educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up in the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Best Colleges, ranking 38th in the Regional Universities North category in 2026. Merrimack is a NCAA Division I athletic institution.

Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.