Student Account Advisor (HR Title: Student Account Specialist)

Southern Methodist University; University Park (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, seeks a Student Account Advisor (HR Title: Student Account Specialist) to counsel students and parents on tuition, fees and payment options. The on-campus role requires handling daily postings, past-due accounts, and collaborating with Financial Aid to support enrollment goals.

Bachelor’s degree required; accounting or business preferred. At least one year of experience with student accounts or financial services is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s is required; accounting or business administration preferred.
• Minimum of one year of experience; student financial services experience preferred.
• Strong communication and customer service skills; confidentiality and FERPA knowledge a plus.

Responsibilities

• Counsel students and families on payments and account charges.
• Daily posting of payments and processing of cash or check transactions.
• Collaborate with Financial Aid and campus partners to resolve balances.
• Serve as SME for topics like cost of attendance, pay options, and billing.
• Handle sensitive information with confidentiality per FERPA.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Customer service

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Accounting or Business Administration preferred

Tools

PeopleSoft

Microsoft Office

Virtual collaboration tools

Job description

Job Description - Student Account Advisor (HR Title: Student Account Specialist) (DIV00000245)

Job Description

Description

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Student Accounts Advisor (SAA) develops a thorough knowledge of institutional account topics to counsel students and parents regarding their financial accounts at SMU. The SAA provides professional advising service for undergraduate and/or graduate students. When requested, the SAA evaluates and assesses accounts and payment options using a skilled analysis and research of the account.

The SAA is responsible for the daily processing and posting of payments, and collection of outstanding balances in the current academic year. Collection of this money supports the operation of the University. This position is instrumental in the development of student account strategies including collaboration/cross-training with Financial Aid, public speaking, and contributes to office policy and procedures associated with tasks in which they are involved. The SAA also contributes to enrollment goals, access and inclusion with a student-centered approach.

Essential Functions:

Works with prospective and continuing students, and members of the SMU community in a personalized way for issues related to payments and student account charges. Daily work on assigned caseload of past due accounts through in depth research and communication with students to resolve past due balances. High collaboration with campus partners to resolve account issues.

Serves as a subject matter expert for Student Account topics including: cost of attendance, financial aid general topics, CSI, payment options, collection strategies, financing options, billing, disbursement dates, withdrawal, re-admit, deadlines, Student Financial Services policy and procedures, and the responsibilities of student account balances.

Routinely deals with problems and issues of a highly sensitive financial and personal nature, and therefore must exhibit independent judgment, tact and diplomacy, maintain strict confidentiality and adhere to FERPA and HEA data sharing regulations.

Process incoming documents, and post payments daily by cash or check to process transactions and prepare deposits. Open and close cashiering each day according to policies and procedures. Prepare documents to be scanned to maintain confidential records of payments through imaging.

Assesses a family's ability to pay for education expenses by evaluating historical student account information. Work closely with Financial Aid Advisors and colleges to help students pay their bills. The main goal of this role is to facilitate achieving zero balances for student accounts.

Serve and contribute as a member of departmental committees and taskforces including the Communications Committee, Forms Committee, and etc. Participate in strategically managing workload volume. Assist with other Enrollment Services areas as needed.

Works as a team member with the other SFS Advisors to deliver high quality service to students and their families. Actively participate in staff development, divisional meetings, and support new student orientation. Represent Student Financial Services to other departments and schools. Some weeknight/weekend and holiday work is required. The Advisor will travel to present and/or attend workshops and conferences. Other duties may be assigned.

Some evening and weekend work will be required during peak seasons and for special events.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s is required. A degree in Accounting or Business Administration is preferred.

A minimum of one (1) year of experience is required. Some experience with student financial services is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.

Candidate must demonstrate professionalism in an office setting, with a commitment to providing exceptional customer service and exercising strong business acumen. The ability to provide fun and energetic presentations is s plus.

Candidates with a general knowledge of student accounts and collection processes, guidelines, and procedures is preferred.

A working knowledge of student financial software (e.g. PeopleSoft), Microsoft Office Suite, and virtual collaboration and meeting software is a plus.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time
• Exposure to excessive noise
• Exposure to marked changes in temperature or humidity

Deadline to Apply:

Priority consideration may be granted to applications received by October 30, 2026.

Deadline to apply is November 13, 2026.

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of healthand related benefit s. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMUand, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.