Assistant Director, Student Accounts

WPU The William Paterson University of New Jersey; Wayne (NJ); On-site; USD 74,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Four-day summer workweek

Tuition support

Internal promotion opportunities

Job summary

William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey, is seeking an Assistant Director of Student Accounts to oversee tuition billing, accounts receivable, refunds, and reconciliations. You will supervise four staff, coordinate daily activities, and collaborate with Financial Aid, Registrar, IT, and Finance to resolve complex student account issues.

This role requires 5+ years in Student Accounts or Bursar operations, strong Excel and ERP experience, and a commitment to internal controls and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in Student Accounts, Bursar operations, accounts receivable, higher education finance, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of two years of supervisory or management experience.
• Demonstrated experience with financial reconciliations, accounts receivable management, billing, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, lookup functions, financial analysis, and reconciliation.
• Experience using enterprise financial systems, student information systems, or other comparable ERP applications.

Responsibilities

• Manages assigned Student Accounts operations, including tuition billing, accounts receivable, payment processing, refunds, collections, financial reconciliations, and related customer service activities.
• Supervises four assigned employees, including establishing work assignments, coordinating schedules and office coverage, monitoring attendance and performance, providing training and cross-training, and ensuring accountability for assigned responsibilities.
• Oversees Banner tuition and fee assessment activities, including reviewing, testing, and maintaining billing rules, tuition structures, detail codes, and related system configurations to ensure accurate assessment of student charges.
• Coordinates student billing processes, including electronic billing statements, payment deadlines, outstanding balance reviews, financial holds, and registration cancellation activities.
• Oversees assigned student refund processing activities, including refund file generation, review, reconciliation, and coordination with Financial Aid and other departments to ensure compliance with applicable federal and institutional requirements.
• Supports the administration and maintenance of TouchNet and related payment processing systems, including payment plans, electronic payments, Marketplace, student deposits, and payment reconciliations.
• Prepares, reviews, and analyzes financial reports, accounts receivable aging, outstanding balances, billing activity, refunds, and other financial information using Banner, Microsoft Excel, and institutional reporting tools.
• Investigates discrepancies and recommends corrective actions.
• Coordinates assigned third-party billing, payment processing, and reconciliation activities to ensure accurate recording of financial transactions and timely resolution of outstanding balances.
• Reviews financial transactions, reconciliations, and operational procedures within assigned areas to support accurate financial reporting, appropriate internal controls, and compliance with University policies and applicable regulations.
• Implements and maintains departmental procedures within assigned areas, identifies opportunities for operational improvements, and recommends enhancements to the Director of Student Accounts.
• Collaborates with Financial Aid, Registrar, Information Technology, Finance, Enrollment Management, and other University departments to resolve complex student account issues and support departmental initiatives.
• Assists the Director of Student Accounts with operational planning, problem resolution, staff development, financial analysis, and departmental projects.
• Represents the Office of Student Accounts on University committees, meetings, and special projects as assigned.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Financial management

Systems & technology

Leadership & supervision

Analytical skills

Regulatory knowledge

Communication & collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Banner

TouchNet

Microsoft Excel

ERP systems

SQL

SAS

Job description

Thank you for your interest in working at William Paterson University. William Paterson University is a purpose-driven, proudly diverse community - designated as both a public Hispanic-Serving Institution and Minority-Serving Institution - committed to creating transformative academic, professional, and personal experiences as a powerhouse of progress. We foster a workplace that values growth, flexibility, and community, and we are recognized as a 2024 and 2025 Forbes’ Best Employers by State, 2025 Great College to Work For, and honored with the NJBIZ Empowering Women Award. Our 1,000 dedicated staff members enjoy competitive benefits, a four-day summer workweek, tuition support, and strong opportunities for internal promotion. Situated on a scenic suburban campus just 20 miles from New York City, WP offers a diverse, inclusive environment where your contributions fuel student success, economic and social mobility, and community engagement. Together, we empower our students through intentional, holistic support within flexible, innovative, and inclusive settings - preparing graduates to thrive professionally and personally, and to lead with a commitment to progress in New Jersey and beyond.

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Director of Student Accounts, the Assistant Director assists in the management and administration of assigned Student Accounts operations, including tuition and fee assessment, billing, accounts receivable, collections, payment processing, refunds, financial reconciliations, and reporting. The Assistant Director directly supervises four assigned employees and is responsible for coordinating daily work activities, monitoring performance, providing training, maintaining operational procedures, and ensuring the timely and accurate completion of assigned responsibilities. The position utilizes Banner, TouchNet, Microsoft Excel, and other institutional systems to support accurate financial processing, regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement. The Assistant Director collaborates with Financial Aid, Registrar, Information Technology, Finance, and other University departments to resolve student account issues and support institutional objectives.

General Job Duties

Manages assigned Student Accounts operations, including tuition billing, accounts receivable, payment processing, refunds, collections, financial reconciliations, and related customer service activities.

Supervises four assigned employees, including establishing work assignments, coordinating schedules and office coverage, monitoring attendance and performance, providing training and cross-training, and ensuring accountability for assigned responsibilities.

Oversees Banner tuition and fee assessment activities, including reviewing, testing, and maintaining billing rules, tuition structures, detail codes, and related system configurations to ensure accurate assessment of student charges.

Coordinates student billing processes, including electronic billing statements, payment deadlines, outstanding balance reviews, financial holds, and registration cancellation activities.

Oversees assigned student refund processing activities, including refund file generation, review, reconciliation, and coordination with Financial Aid and other departments to ensure compliance with applicable federal and institutional requirements.

Supports the administration and maintenance of TouchNet and related payment processing systems, including payment plans, electronic payments, Marketplace, student deposits, and payment reconciliations.

Prepares, reviews, and analyzes financial reports, accounts receivable aging, outstanding balances, billing activity, refunds, and other financial information using Banner, Microsoft Excel, and institutional reporting tools.

Investigates discrepancies and recommends corrective actions.

Coordinates assigned third-party billing, payment processing, and reconciliation activities to ensure accurate recording of financial transactions and timely resolution of outstanding balances.

Reviews financial transactions, reconciliations, and operational procedures within assigned areas to support accurate financial reporting, appropriate internal controls, and compliance with University policies and applicable regulations.

Implements and maintains departmental procedures within assigned areas, identifies opportunities for operational improvements, and recommends enhancements to the Director of Student Accounts.

Collaborates with Financial Aid, Registrar, Information Technology, Finance, Enrollment Management, and other University departments to resolve complex student account issues and support departmental initiatives.

Assists the Director of Student Accounts with operational planning, problem resolution, staff development, financial analysis, and departmental projects.

Represents the Office of Student Accounts on University committees, meetings, and special projects as assigned.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in Student Accounts, Bursar operations, accounts receivable, higher education finance, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of two years of supervisory or management experience.
• Demonstrated experience with financial reconciliations, accounts receivable management, billing, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, lookup functions, financial analysis, and reconciliation.
• Experience using enterprise financial systems, student information systems, or other comparable ERP applications.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, Higher Education Administration, or a related field.
• Experience using Ellucian Banner Student Accounts and TouchNet payment processing systems.
• Experience with SQL, SAS, or other financial reporting and data analysis tools.
• Knowledge of Title IV cash management, FERPA, and other higher education financial regulations.
• Experience with tuition and fee assessment, billing rule configuration, refund processing, and student financial reporting.

Core Competencies and Skills

• Financial Management Accounts receivable management, billing, collections, cash management, reconciliations, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Systems and Technology ERP and student information systems, advanced Microsoft Excel, payment processing technologies, reporting applications, and financial data analysis.
• Leadership and Supervision Staff supervision, performance management, training and cross-training, workload coordination, conflict resolution, and employee development.
• Analytical and Operational Skills Financial analysis, data interpretation, problem solving, process improvement, trend analysis, and operational risk assessment.
• Regulatory Knowledge FERPA, Title IV requirements, financial aid-related transactions, applicable University policies and audit standards.
• Communication and Collaboration Written and verbal communication, customer service, relationship management, cross-departmental coordination, and resolution of complex financial matters.

Other Information

The position may require occasional evening and weekend hours based on departmental needs, University events, and operational requirements.

This description indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position.

It is not intended to be a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to the position.

Salary and Benefits

Salary - NAL - $74,251.80 - 96,511.00

This position may be eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, which includes health and dental insurance and retirement plans.

EEO Statement

William Paterson University is dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race or ethnicity, sex/gender (including pregnancy), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, civil union status, familial status, religion, national origin or citizenship, military service status, or any other category protected by law.

William Paterson University does not discriminate on the basis of any category stated above or as prohibited by applicable law.

Individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

About William Paterson University

For more information, visit University Facts

William Paterson University is the third most diverse public university in New Jersey.

As a longstanding member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), we have been designated by the US Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution.

William Paterson University is also proud to be designated as a NASA MSI (Minority Serving Institution).

The University offers more than 250 undergraduate and graduate academic programs that range from liberal arts and sciences to pre-professional and professional programs; it enrolls over 9,000 students from across the country and from over 40 nations.

The University is situated on a beautiful, 380-acre suburban campus in Wayne, New Jersey, just twenty miles west of New York City.