Senior Student Account Specialist

This Senior Student Account Specialist supports the day-to-day operations of the Business Office. The position is the primary contact for students, parents, employees and the general public. Under general supervision, this position is responsible for handling cash transactions, depositing funds, supporting student account maintenance and performing billing activities to ensure accounts receivable levels in accordance with established university goals and objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collects and processes payments, general cash deposits and disburses refunds, in accordance with university policies, state, and federal regulations.
• Reconciles daily cash transactions, prepares daily deposits, and generates
• Tracks and maintains student accounts to ensure prompt payment of balances and assess late fees as necessary; works directly with students to analyze charges, financial awards and payments associated with delinquent and disputed account balances.
• Reviews student payment plans for accuracy and performs account adjustments as deemed necessary.
• Performs student account maintenance activities to include but not limited to account reviews, account clearances, and application of payments.
• Assists with implementation of cash compliance controls, to include researching and developing process improvements for the overall department.
• Assists in training employees on an on-going basis including supervising and training student workers
• Assists with internal and external auditing projects; collecting on delinquent accounts and placing accounts with outside collection agency.
• Provides excellent, efficient and professional customer service to students, parents, the general public, and third-party customers.
• Provides assistance to department staff in handling difficult or complex problems or in resolving escalated complaints or disputes.
• Performs account receivable functions in generating invoices and collecting payments from third party customers for student charges.
• Assists with maintaining Federal Perkins loan records.
• Performs other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or GED, Associate's Degree preferred in accounting, business or related business field (an equivalent combination of relevant education and professional experience demonstrating the required knowledge, skill, and abilities to perform the functions of the positions proficiently may be considered)
• (2) two or more years of experience in an accounting related environment; or (2) two years of experience in a customer service environment; (an equivalent combination of relevant education and professional experience demonstrating the required knowledge, skill, and abilities to perform the functions of the positions proficiently may be considered)
• Must have valid driver's license, motor vehicle liability insurance and personal injury insurance; or have a self-reliant source of transportation to conduct business on a daily basis
• Must clear and maintain a favorable background investigation and clearance to include a credit check
• Must have the ability to demonstrate intermediate skills in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams). Uses various software applications, such as spreadsheets, organizational charts, virtual platforms (Zoom, Teams) and financial systems (Banner and/or TouchNet or similar program) to assemble, manipulate and/or format data and/or reports, a plus.
• Must be able to work extended hours and weekends when deemed necessary
• Bilingual Preferred (English/Spanish with the ability to understand and to make one's self understood to Spanish speaking individuals)
• Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) or Perkins Loan experience is highly desirable
• Knowledge of financial aid terminology and the student financial aid award process; Knowledge of account receivable, cashiering, collections and billing methodologies and practices
• Must have ability to effectively and professionally communicate with students, parents and third-party customers regarding student accounts; excellent negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills. Strong public relations and customer service skills with an ability to implement diplomacy and discretion at all times; an ability to work effectively with communities across the university.
• Must have a high ethical standards and a strong sense of confidentiality; ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines; thrive in a complex work environment; displays solid problem solving and interpersonal skills; works well independently and as part of a team.
• Must have a high attention to detail and be able to organize workflow, coordinate activities, balance simultaneous projects without loss of efficiency in a multi-tasked environment, and manage multiple priorities to meet deadlines.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Working conditions are in an office environment and university campus setting. Must be able to move across the university campus to conduct day to day business.
• While performing this role, the employee will be regularly required to sit, walk, and stand; talk and hear, both in person and by telephone; and use hands repetitively to operate standard office equipment; and occasionally required to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Frequently communicates with others using approved technological resources; must be able to exchange accurate information through designated systems within a timely manner.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery.

The physical demands 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.

St. Mary's University is a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Equal Opportunity Employer.