Student Accounts Counselor

The College of St. Scholastica; Duluth (MN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN seeks a detail‑oriented accounting specialist to manage student account billing, refunds, and payment plans.

You will perform ledger reconciliations, analyze transactions for discrepancies, and prepare audit documentation. This role supports cross‑department collaboration, delivers timely financial reporting, and helps ensure compliance with established policies and GAAP.

Qualifications

• Two years college-level coursework in accounting or related field and three years accounting experience OR equivalent.
• Knowledge of accounting and auditing financial documentation and transactions.
• Ability to perform technical, specialized, and complex financial support work.
• Ability to read, comprehend, and explain policies and procedures.
• Capability to perform independent research and analysis to resolve issues.
• Maintain accurate financial records and prepare accurate and timely reports.
• Ability to organize work, multitask, identify and set priorities, and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Process timely and accurate student account billing functions, including third‑party billing and processing student refunds.
• Manage and support student payment plans.
• Contribute to a positive student experience by providing prompt and professional customer service.
• Complete regular general ledger account reconciliations.
• Review and analyze account transactions for discrepancies and errors.
• Perform necessary research to resolve outstanding and unreconciled transactions.
• Provide, maintain, and review required documentation for audit compliance.
• Monitor electronic banking activity for returned student payments and refunds to ensure timely posting of transactions into the general ledger.
• Prepare and post journal vouchers.
• Work with colleagues across departments to resolve student account billing questions and issues.
• Provide timely and accurate information to support reporting and information requests.
• Ensure compliance with institutional procedures and policies and all regulations.
• Provide functional support for accounts receivable activities as needed.
• Perform financial research and analysis projects as directed and compose reports and recommendations as requested.
• Assist the Finance department with processing activities as needed and provide administrative support as required.
• Assist with financial audits to ensure accurate financial statements and adherence to GAAP; organize and analyze audit schedules and records for accuracy and adherence to accounting standards.
• Contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of the department's service to its customers by offering suggestions and actively participating as a member of work teams.

Skills

Accounting principles

Auditing financial docs

Research & analysis

Policy comprehension

Organization & multitasking

Deadline management

Education

Two years college-level accounting coursework

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting

Tools

Ellucian Banner

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

Job description

The approximate base compensation range is posted, but the actual offer will reflect our total compensation and benefits package. The offer will be determined by a number of factors including the selected candidate’s experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, FTE, number of months worked, as well as internal equity among our team.

Job Summary

• Process timely and accurate student account billing functions, including third-party billing and processing student refunds.
• Manage and support student payment plans.
• Contribute to a positive student experience by providing prompt and professional customer service.
• Complete regular general ledger account reconciliations.
• Review and analyze account transactions for discrepancies and errors.
• Perform necessary research to resolve outstanding and unreconciled transactions.
• Provide, maintain, and review required documentation for audit compliance.
• Monitor electronic banking activity for returned student payments and refunds to ensure timely posting of transactions into the general ledger.
• Prepare and post journal vouchers.
• Work with colleagues across departments to resolve student account billing questions and issues.
• Provide timely and accurate information to support reporting and information requests.
• Ensure compliance with institutional procedures and policies and all regulations.
• Provide functional support for accounts receivable activities as needed.
• Perform financial research and analysis projects as directed and compose reports and recommendations as requested.
• Assist the Finance department with processing activities as needed and provide administrative support as required.
• Assist with financial audits to ensure accurate financial statements and adherence to generally accepted accounting principles; organize and analyze audit schedules and records for accuracy and adherence to accounting standards.
• Contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of the department's service to its customers by offering suggestions and actively participating as a member of work teams.

Required Qualifications

Key Result & Responsibility:

• Two (2) years of college-level coursework in accounting or a related field AND three (3) years of accounting-related experience; OR an equivalent combination of applicable work experience.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of accounting and auditing financial documentation and transactions.
• Ability to perform technical, specialized, and complex financial support work.
• Ability to read, comprehend, and explain policies and procedures.
• Capability to perform independent research and analysis to resolve issues.
• Maintain accurate financial records and prepare accurate and timely reports.
• Ability to organize work, multitask, identify and set priorities, and meet deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.
• Experience in higher education working in student accounts/Bursar’s Office.
• Experience with Ellucian BANNER or a similar student information system.
• Experience working in a customer service environment.
• Ability to utilize tact, discretion, and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Ability to take a leadership role, demonstrate initiative, and solve problems effectively.
• Proficient in solving problems and processing anomaly transactions.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and Google Suite applications.
• Effective communication skills in both oral and written forms.
• Ability to contribute effectively to the accomplishment of team goals, objectives, and activities.
• Experience interacting successfully with diverse individuals from various backgrounds. –

Required Certificates, Licenses, And Registrations

• Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation