Student Account Specialist

Community HigherEd; Tulsa (OK); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Community HigherEd in Tulsa, OK seeks a Student Accounts Specialist to manage current and former student accounts receivable through payment, resolution, or referrals. You will pursue collections, set up payment plans, and coordinate with campus departments to minimize aged receivables while maintaining accuracy and privacy.

Responsibilities include identifying delinquent balances, communicating options to students, negotiating arrangements, coordinating with Financial Aid and Accounting, and

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to manage accounts receivable and collections with professional persistence.
• Ability to maintain accuracy in large volumes of transactions and balances.
• Experience coordinating with Financial Aid, Accounting, and Registrar to resolve student account issues.

Responsibilities

• Identify delinquent balances and prioritize outreach to resolve accounts.
• Contact students to explain balances, obligations, deadlines, payment options, and consequences.
• Negotiate payment arrangements within institutional authority and monitor commitments.
• Conduct account research and skip-tracing; refer to external collections when warranted.
• Maintain complete transaction histories and audit trails for compliance and reviews.
• Prepare weekly and monthly reports; explain trends and actions to leadership.

Skills

Financial accuracy

Persistence

Customer service

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate or bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Community Care College - Tulsa, OK 74145, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: 2 Year Degree, Job Category: Education, Position Summary

The Student Accounts Specialist independently manages current and former student accounts receivable from identification of outstanding balances through payment, resolution, referral, or other appropriate disposition. The position proactively pursues collections, establishes and monitors payment arrangements, maintains accurate records, and works across departments to resolve discrepancies and minimize aged receivables.

Success requires professional persistence, sound judgment, financial accuracy, and a student-focused approach that balances empathy with clear expectations and accountability. The Specialist prioritizes work, follows through without repeated direction, and escalates matters outside established authority while complying with institutional policies and applicable requirements.

Essential Responsibilities - Student Accounts & Collections

• Manage the assigned portfolio; identify delinquent or at-risk balances, prioritize outreach, and follow accounts through resolution or appropriate escalation.
• Contact current and former students through approved channels; explain balances, obligations, deadlines, payment options, consequences, and next steps.
• Negotiate reasonable payment arrangements within institutional authority; monitor commitments and promptly address missed payments or other barriers.
• Conduct approved account research and skip-tracing; prepare referrals to external collection agencies when warranted and monitor placements and recoveries.
• Maintain persistent, respectful, and solution-oriented collection practices while recognizing matters that require leadership approval.

Student Service & Communication

• Respond accurately and promptly to student account questions; listen to individual circumstances and communicate with empathy, confidence, and appropriate firmness.
• Maintain composure during difficult conversations, encourage proactive communication, and avoid promises or exceptions beyond authorized limits.
• Protect confidential student and financial information in all interactions.

Financial Accuracy & Reconciliation

• Verify account balances and transactions before collection or referral; coordinate with Financial Aid on adjustments, withdrawals, returns, cancellations, and eligibility changes.
• Work with Accounting and other departments to resolve discrepancies; receive, process, record, and reconcile payments and assigned accounts under established controls.
• Maintain complete transaction histories and audit trails; identify recurring errors and recommend corrective process improvements.

Portfolio Performance & Reporting

• Independently plan daily activity based on account aging, value, payment status, and risk; maintain timely, documented outreach and follow-up.
• Meet established collection and receivables goals; monitor results, adjust strategies, and complete account reviews and reconciliations on schedule.
• Prepare accurate weekly, monthly, and requested reports; explain trends, variances, risks, and recommended actions to the President.

Compliance & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Follow applicable federal and state requirements, contractual obligations, institutional procedures, privacy rules, debt collection practices, and payment-processing controls.
• Document account activity and communications objectively and promptly for audits, disputes, regulatory reviews, and third-party collections; promptly report compliance or internal-control concerns.
• Partner with Financial Aid, Accounting, Registrar, Campus Leadership, and other departments to resolve student account issues and reduce preventable debt.

Key Performance Expectations

• Collections and recovery results; reduction in aged receivables; active payment-plan performance and missed-payment follow-up.
• Timeliness and effectiveness of outreach, account resolution, and escalation; accuracy of balances, posting, reconciliation, reporting, and documentation.
• Compliance, professional student communication, independent workload management, initiative, and process improvement.

Qualifications: Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent and at least two years of relevant experience in collections, accounts receivable, student accounts, financial services, or a related function required.
• Associate or bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business, or related field preferred.
• Independent delinquent-account portfolio management strongly preferred; higher education, financial aid, payment plans, collection agencies, reconciliation, and financial reporting experience preferred.

Institutional Expectations

Support CHEI's mission, Transforming Lives and Empowering Futures, and demonstrate accountability, initiative, collaboration, responsible stewardship, and a nonprofit mindset.

Participate in required training, at least two professional development activities annually, graduation ceremonies, and appropriate institution-sponsored events.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged desk/computer work; regular telephone, video, email, and in-person communication; ability to move throughout facilities and occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.