Director of Student Accounts

Director Of Student Accounts

The Director of Student Accounts is responsible for supporting the success of Arkansas State University - Newport, as well as the college's short and long-term financial well-being, through the effective management of student accounts and college accounts receivable, as well as through payment collection, administration, and reconciliations. The Director fosters a highly collaborative, enthusiastic, innovative, accessible, engaged, and service-oriented culture for internal and external stakeholders. As a custodian of college funds, the Director of Student Accounts provides leadership and direction for tuition and fee structures, refund processing, billing, receivables, and payments. The Director of Student Accounts is also responsible for the development and implementation of policies and procedures related to student finances and other areas of responsibility. Finally, the Director is responsible for implementing and maintaining a dynamic and responsive advising and analysis program for students and stakeholders, ensuring compliance, working collaboratively with various college departments, and developing solutions to elevated requests and concerns.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Direct, supervise, and mentor employees to develop and maintain a high-performance culture that values accountability, leadership, sound planning, service, and excellent execution. Set and evaluates goals for team member performance and actively develop team members.
• Lead and participate in strategic planning, departmental goal setting and evaluation, and continuous process and service improvement.
• Present a consistent voice for the department and foster mutual respect and understanding amongst internal and external stakeholders in a manner that improves support services.
• Oversee the student accounts receivable program, including, but not limited to, billing, payment plans, account receivable reconciliations, payment administration, collection procedures, write-offs, bad debt, resolving discrepancies, and communication.
• Coordinate the accurate preparation and completion of state and federal tax forms and reports including, but not limited to form 1098T. Ensure timely submittal of payments and reports to the IRS and other government entities.
• Oversee the preparation, evaluation, and processing of student account refunds in accordance with Title IV regulations, federal and state law, and college policy.
• Oversee third-party billings for payment by government entities, employers, and other outside organizations.
• Maintain and update billing tables in the college's financial system to assure all revenue and expenses are reflected appropriately in the general ledger.
• Utilize discretion in the enforcement and application of college policies, including, but not limited to, holds, collections placements, late fees, and policy exceptions
• Analyze student accounts for accuracy, resolve discrepancies in a timely manner and ensure the proper posting of all charges and payments.
• Oversee and maintain merchant and payment services, including, but not limited to, online and credit card payment systems. Ensure our processing methods are modern and meet the changing needs of those we serve.
• Serve as the principal liaison to partners and vendors associated with students accounts and merchant services, including, but not limited to, payment processing companies and collections agencies. In addition, this position is the principal audit liaison for student financial services and ensures the timely and accurate completion of audit requests.
• Collaborate with enrollment management, financial aid, registrar's office, housing, student affairs, academic affairs, finance, and other internal departments to ensure student account accuracy and the proper flow of information.
• Using excellent judgment, create systems, structures, and processes to prioritize requests, activities, and workflows in a customer-friendly manner.
• Facilitate the use of data to inform decision-making and planning.
• Perform special studies, research, and analysis of financial, student account, AR & budget matters and provides recommendations for courses of action.
• Partner with the finance team to ensure the timely completion of monthly and year-end close processes.
• Collaborate with the finance team to manage the college's accounts receivable program, including, but not limited to, billing, processing payments, customer service, and collections.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, local, and institutional laws, policies, and procedures.
• Communicate effectively to students, parents, faculty, staff, partners, and other stakeholders via all communication methods.
• Participate in various college events and committees as assigned.
• Coordinate, in collaboration with financial aid and the finance team, the accurate posting of internal and external financial aid to student accounts to include, but not limited to, reporting, updating billing statements, and refund processing.
• Reconcile all bank deposits. These include ACH/EFC deposits, daily cashier deposits for three campuses (each with a separate bank), credit card deposits for both the bookstore and food service, deposits received from online payments both through payment plans and ACH payments.
• Prepare and submit the college's monthly sales tax report to the state.
• Prepare, verify, and submit a yearly list of unclaimed property to the state.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education And Experience Minimum requirements include a Bachelor's Degree. At least 3 years of experience in accounting, business operations, banking or related financial business. Experience with Microsoft office suite and higher education software.

Qualifications Working knowledge of college and university business practices. Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills. Able to lead effectively. Experience in the resolution of complaints and disputes. Preferred qualifications: experience in higher education accounting, collections, AR, and student/customer financial services. Able to independently set priorities to meet the needs of the organization and achieve needed results.