Student Account Specialist

Student Account Specialist

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Student Financial Services, the Student Account Specialist provides comprehensive financial counseling and support to prospective, current, graduating, and former students across all three Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) campuses, serving a global student population of more than 30,000 annually.

This role serves as a primary resource for students and families regarding tuition charges, financial aid, scholarships, grants, loans, payment plans, and financial literacy education. The Specialist plays a critical role in supporting student success, retention, and financial well-being by helping individuals navigate complex financial processes and resolving account-related issues with accuracy and professionalism.

In addition, this position functions as an individual contributor responsible for account reconciliation, collections management, and the protection of institutional revenue. A strong working knowledge of federal, state, and institutional regulationsincluding U.S. Department of Education requirements, FERPA, and ERAU Administrative Policies and Proceduresis essential to ensure compliance and consistent application of policy.

The Specialist independently manages exception-based accounts, analyzes receivables and delinquency trends, and supports university retention initiatives through proactive outreach and financial intervention strategies.

Key Job Functions

• Provide timely, accurate, and high-volume financial counseling via email, phone, electronic platforms, and in-person to students, parents, and ERAU staff.

• Resolve complex and high-risk account issues while delivering exceptional customer service and financial guidance.

• Partner with campus departments to provide enrollment support outreach, including payment deadline communication and informational presentations (e.g., UNIV 101 virtual sessions).

• Educate students, families, and staff on tuition, fees, billing policies, payment options, and institutional financial responsibilities.

• Maintain thorough understanding and compliance with university, state, and federal policies related to collections, refunds, withdrawals, and enrollment cancellations.

• Conduct quality assurance reviews of account adjustments and refund determinations.

• Analyze aging and delinquency reports to identify trends, risks, and contributing factors affecting student accounts.

• Process returned payments daily, including tuition, flight, and payment plan transactions.

• Facilitate promissory note and payment plan arrangements, including documentation, student guidance, and follow-up to ensure compliance and reduce outstanding balances.

• Monitor cancellation, hold, and receivables reports to proactively engage students and reduce attrition and bad debt.

• Support retention efforts by identifying at-risk accounts and coordinating resolution strategies.

• Review and analyze daily, weekly, and monthly financial reports related to cancellations, holds, aging accounts, and receivables.

• Monitor credit balances and account activity to ensure accuracy and proper financial tracking.

• Provide reporting insights that support institutional financial planning and liability management.

• Review and audit flight activity reports to ensure compliance with institutional policies.

• Communicate proactively with at-risk students regarding financial flight grounding policies.

• Coordinate flight grounding actions for delinquent accounts in collaboration with Flight Operations and Campus Safety.

• Advise students on financial solutions to resolve outstanding tuition and flight-related balances.

• Process tuition assistance (TA) documentation with accuracy and within established timelines.

• Review, validate, and enter contractual agreements related to tuition benefits each term.

• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to resolve complex student account and third-party billing cases.

• Support Directors and Assistant Directors of Student Financial Services with special projects, initiatives, and process improvements.

• Assist with both on-campus and virtual events, presentations, and student engagement activities.

About Us

For nearly 100 years, Embry-Riddle has been the world's leading aviation and aerospace university, educating more than 30,000 students across residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, as well as through a global network of Worldwide locations and online programs. With more than 165,000 alumni around the world, our impact reaches every corner of the aerospace, aviation, defense and technology industries.

Today, our faculty, researchers and professional staff are advancing innovation across aviation, space, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, autonomous systems and next-generation engineering. Working alongside industry leaders, government agencies and innovators, they are solving real-world challenges and shaping the technologies that will define tomorrow.

Whether you are an educator, researcher, administrator, technologist or industry professional, your work at Embry-Riddle will contribute to something bigger than a job. Join a community driven by discovery, purpose and excellenceand help shape the future of aerospace.

Perks Await You at Embry-Riddle!

• Health Benefits: Experience comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with wellness programs that include preventive care and fitness memberships. Our flexible spending and health savings accounts simplify managing healthcare costs. Join a workplace that prioritizes your healthbecause your journey to wellness should be rewarding! Buckle up for a healthier, happier you!

• Tuition Coverage: Get 100% tuition coverage for yourself for one undergraduate and one graduate degree, and discounted rates for your spouse and dependent children up to age 26.

• Retirement Contributions: ERAU contributes an annual 6% gift of your base salary to your retirement plan and offers a 4% matching contribution, with no vesting period.

• Generous Time Off: Enjoy up to 18 days of paid leave in your first year, including 3 days granted upon hire and 15 days accrued throughout the year. You'll also receive 9+ paid holidays, including the day after Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.

Compensation

The hourly range for this role is up to $20.85. The final offer will be based on the candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience, as well as applicable state regulations, internal equity, and business needs, and may fall outside of the stated range.

Qualifications

Required Education and Qualifications:

• Associate's degree or completion of a post-secondary program of 18+ months after high school.

  Preferred Area of Concentration: Accounting, Finance, Banking, Treasury, or Business

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with strong emphasis on Excel

• Demonstrated self-starter with strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills

• Excellent customer service orientation with strong verbal and written communication skills

• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills

• Ability to work effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders in a team-oriented environment

• Willingness to share knowledge, collaborate, and learn new processes and responsibilities

Required Licenses, Certificates, and/or Security Clearances

• Associate's degree or completion of a relevant post-secondary program (18+ months after high school) or equivalent combination of education and applicable work experience required.

Required Work Experience

• 13 years of relevant work experience required

Preferred Experience

• Experience in accounting, finance, collections, or higher education is strongly preferred

Application process/requirements

To submit your application for this opportunity, please visit the Embry-Riddle Career Site and search for requisition number R311674. Please attach all relevant materials to your application when you apply online. Complete submissions include:

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