BURSAR

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Norfolk State University seeks a Bursar Leadership professional to direct the Bursar Office operations, including student billing, cashiering, and revenue management. The role ensures compliance with Virginia and federal requirements, maintains internal controls, and supports audit readiness.

Lead staff, optimize systems (Banner, ERP), and collaborate across Financial Aid, Registrar, and Treasury to improve deposits, reporting, and service delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, Public Administration or related field.
• Minimum 5–7 years progressive experience in higher education bursar operations, student accounts, cashiering, receivables management, revenue operations.
• Minimum 3 years supervisory/management experience.
• Direct grants management experience.
• Experience with fixed asset management including inventory.
• Experience managing financial compliance and audit processes.
• Ability to interpret GAAP, OMB Uniform Guidance, and grant contracts.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead Bursar Office operations, including student billing, cashiering, receivables, refunds, delinquencies, payments, and reconciliations.
• Develop strategic improvements to enhance efficiency, automation, and service delivery.
• Oversee maintenance of student financial accounts and billing cycles.
• Manage internal controls, risk, and compliance with CAPP, DOA, and Treasury standards.
• Collaborate with Financial Aid, Registrar, Controller’s Office, and others on financial processes.
• Ensure timely deposits and accurate revenue reporting.

Skills

Bursar operations

Student financial services

Cash handling controls

Revenue reconciliation

Receivables administration

Higher education accounting

Internal controls

Audit readiness

Fiscal compliance

Treasury management

Payment systems

ERP platforms

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, Public Administration or Related field

Tools

Banner Student Finance

Cardinal

eVA

Treasury systems

PCI compliance software

Job description

This position provides leadership for the University’s Bursarfunctions, ensuring financial stewardship, revenue integrity,compliance with Commonwealth of Virginia regulations, federalrequirements, internal controls, and best practices in highereducation financial administration. The Bursar plays a key role insafeguarding university revenues while supporting operationalexcellence, customer service, and student-centered financialservices.

As a Level 2 Virginia public higher education institution, NorfolkState University requires this position to ensure compliance withapplicable university policies, Commonwealth Accounting Policiesand Procedures (CAPP), Department of Accounts (DOA) regulations,Treasury requirements, audit controls, and applicable financialreporting obligations.

Job Duties:

Bursar Operations Leadership:

• Direct and oversee all Bursar Office operations,including:
• Student billing and tuition assessment
• Cashiering and payment processing
• Student receivables management
• Refund disbursements
• Delinquent account collections
• Payment plans
• Account reconciliation
• Revenue tracking and cash accountability Develop strategicimprovements to enhance efficiency, automation, and servicedelivery.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial processing.

Student Financial Account Administration:

• Oversee maintenance of student financial accounts.
• Ensure accurate tuition, fee, housing, and miscellaneous chargeassessments.
• Lead account reconciliation between student accounts anduniversity general ledger systems.
• Oversee billing cycles, refunds, account adjustments, andwaivers.
• Manage receivables and aging reports.

Cashiering & Revenue Management:

• Oversee cashiering operations for all university paymentcollections.
• Ensure secure handling of:
• Cash
• Checks
• Electronic payments
• Credit card transactions
• Online payment systems
• Maintain strong internal controls related to cash handling anddeposit management.
• Ensure timely deposits in accordance with Treasury anduniversity standards.
• Reconcile daily revenue activity.

Compliance, Internal Controls & Risk Management:

• Establish and maintain strong internal controls for Bursaroperations.
• Ensure compliance with:
• Commonwealth of Virginia CAPP Manual
• Department of Accounts (DOA) regulations
• State Treasury requirements
• PCI-DSS standards
• Federal Title IV regulations
• GASB reporting requirements
• University fiscal policies
• Lead fraud prevention controls and financial riskmitigation.
• Support audit readiness and financial accountability.

Collections & Receivables Oversight:

• Oversee delinquent student account recovery processes.
• Manage internal and external collection activities.
• Ensure compliant receivable write-off and recoveryprocedures.
• Monitor bad debt trends.
• Recommend collection strategies to improve institutional cashflow.

Systems & Financial Technology Oversight:

• Lead optimization of financial systems supporting Bursarfunctions.
• Oversee integration and workflow improvements within:
• Banner Student Finance
• Financial ERP systems
• Payment gateways
• Electronic refund platforms
• Cashiering software
• Improve reporting accuracy, automation, and dataintegrity.

Leadership & Staff Management:

• Supervise and develop Bursar Office personnel.
• Build a culture of accountability, compliance, and customerservice.
• Conduct performance management, coaching, and successionplanning.
• Ensure cross-training and operational continuity.

Strategic Financial Collaboration:

• Collaborate with:
• Financial Aid
• Registrar
• Controller’s Office
• Budget Office
• Procurement
• Treasury
• Student Affairs
• Information Technology
• External auditors

Salary: 90,000-115,000

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in: Accounting, Finance, BusinessAdministration, Higher Education Administration, PublicAdministration or Related field
• Experience
• Minimum 5–7 years progressive experience in: higher educationBursar operations, Student Accounts, Cashiering, Receivablesmanagement, Revenue operations.
• Minimum 3 years supervisory/management experience.
• Direct Grants Management Experience
• Experience with Fixed Asset Management including inventory
• Experience managing financial compliance and auditprocesses.
• Demonstrated ability to manage professional staff and fiscalunit.
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles.
• Ability to interpret GAAP, OMB Uniform Guidance, and Grant andContract Agreements.
• Ability to work independently, possess effective oral andwritten communication skills, and lead, instruct, and supervisestaff.
• Ability to analyze and interpret financial regulations andprepare financial reports and statements as required by the variousreporting agencies.
• Pays attention to detail and is proficient with technology usedin the financial operation.
• Ability to interpret federal, state, and local tax laws andregulations
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree. Experience in Virginia Public HigherEducation.
• Experience at a Level 2 institution or complex publicentity.
• Knowledge of: Banner Student Finance, Cardinal, eVA,Commonwealth financial procedures, Treasury systems, PCI complianceand CPA, CGFM, MBA, or related credential preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Strong knowledge of:

• Bursar operations
• Student financial services
• Cash handling controls
• Revenue reconciliation
• Receivables administration
• Higher education accounting
• Internal controls
• Audit readiness
• Fiscal compliance
• Treasury management
• Payment systems
• ERP platforms

Ability to:

• Lead complex financial operations
• Interpret regulations and financial policy
• Improve systems and workflows
• Analyze financial data
• Manage competing priorities
• Lead teams effectively
• Communicate with executives, students, faculty, and externalstakeholders
• Exercise sound fiscal judgment and confidentiality
• PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS / KEY METRICS
• Success in this role may be measured by:
• Revenue reconciliation accuracy
• Reduction in aged receivables
• Timeliness of deposits
• Audit findings reduction
• Student refund processing efficiency
• Customer service response times
• PCI and compliance adherence
• Billing accuracy
• Process automation improvements
• Staff development outcomes

WORKING CONDITIONS: Office-based environment. Extended computeruse. May require occasional evening or peak registration support.Ability to manage multiple deadlines and regulatorypriorities.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Background investigation required.
• Mustcomply with all university fiscal and confidentiality requirements.
• Must maintain high ethical and fiduciary standards.
• Must beeligible to work in the United States.

Norfolk State University conducts background checks on allcandidates identified as a finalist for employment consideration.The type of background check(s) performed are dependent upon thetype of position for which you have been identified as a finalistand may include criminal history, including sexual offenderregistry checks, reference checks, degree validation, DMV (driving)records, license verification, and credit report reviews. Theresults of background checks are made available to Universityemploying officials. As a finalist, you will be required to sign anAuthorization to Release form. Norfolk State University utilizesForm I-9 and E-verify in the verification of eligibility foret employment. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.without employer sponsorship.

Contact Information:

Name: Office of Human Resources

Phone: [phone]

Email: NO EMAILED DOCUMENTS ACCEPTED

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we areencouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through theCommonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for thisopportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate ofDisability (COD) provided by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselorwithin the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services(DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired(DBVI). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questionsand submit their disability documentation, if applicable, toDARS/DBVI to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need toget a Certificate of Disability, use this link: Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities, or call DARSat 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155.

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated torecruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diversework force.

Equal Opportunity Employer