Student Accounts Operations Manager

Niagara-University; Town of Lewiston (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

403b employer contribution

Tuition assistance for employee + 1

Tuition exchange for dependents

Paid holidays (20 days)

Paid time off (PTO)

½ day Fridays in summer

Free campus parking

On-site dining options

Job summary

Niagara University in Lewiston, NY is seeking a Student Accounts Operations Manager to supervise workflow, oversee daily billing, disbursement of financial aid, and refunds, and cover for the Director when needed. The role leads two staff, ensures regulatory compliance, and collaborates with Financial Aid, Registrar, and Controller offices to support students and families with billing options.

Strong Colleague/TouchNet knowledge, solid accounting basics, and a Bachelor's degree with 3+ years in

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• 3+ years experience in student accounts, student financial services, accounts receivable, accounting or related field.
• Minimum 2 years of managerial experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Director in billing and collection of student receivables.
• Lead and supervise two staff members; provide department leadership.
• Counsel students and families on financing options, holds, billing and collections.
• Update billing rules and manage TouchNet/Colleague modules.
• Disburse financial aid to student accounts; process meal plan requests.
• Monitor refunds and issue refunds within mandated timeframes.
• Prepare tax form filings (1098T, 1042S, T2202, T4A, TL11) as needed.
• Collaborate with Financial Aid, Registrar, Controller, and other departments.

Skills

Customer service

Policy interpretation

Basic math

Accounting basics

Communication

Project management

Independent judgment

Colleague experience

TouchNet experience

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Colleague

TouchNet

Job description

OUTSTANDING BENEFITS UNLIKE ANY OTHER. Low-cost health benefits, 403b employer contribution, affordable tuition at Niagara University for you and eligible immediate family members, tuition exchange at other designated universities for eligible dependent children, generous holidays (20 days annually), PTO, and ½ day Fridays throughout the summer. Niagara University is also an approved employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Campus life is vibrant and offers free parking, on-site dining options, and fresh coffee at Tim Hort's and Starbucks, all in a beautiful park-like setting. If you'd like to know more, check out all of the NU Facts.

JOB SUMMARY

Under general supervision, the Student Accounts Operations Manager assists in the supervision of work flow in the Student Accounts Office. Responsibilities include but are not limited to managing the daily billing process; disbursement of financial aid; issuing student refunds; updates to the GL process; monitoring the out of school payment plan module; working with other university departments, students and families to resolve financial aid disbursement and billing concerns. The position assumes the responsibility for the Student Accounts operation in the absence of the Director and supervises two staff members.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Assist the Director in the billing process and collection of student receivables
• Work closely with the Director to provide leadership to the department and supervise two staff members who report directly to the position
• Provide direct leadership for counseling students and families on financing/payment options, holds, billing, collections and compliance
• Routinely updates billing tables, writes and troubleshoots billing rules in the Colleague student information system
• Manage and serve as the primary point person for the Bill/Payment module of the TouchNet billing system
• Disburses financial aid to student accounts
• Processes meal plan requests for student athletes and commuters
• Monitor refund reports to ensure accuracy; issue refunds to students within mandated timeframes
• Monitor outstanding check list and follow up on uncashed refund checks
• Review tuition accounts for pre-collection, collection and write off
• Work with delinquent payers, creating payment plans as needed; manage the out of school payment plan module
• Assist in filing annual 1098T, 1042S, T2202, T4A and TL11 tax forms
• Present to students and parents at new student orientation
• Provide coverage for front line customer service team and cashiering as needed
• Works closely with Financial Aid, the Registrar, the Controller's Office, and other university departments; ensures that functions performed are in compliance with federal and state regulations and University policies and procedures
• Review and apply all policies and procedures outlined in the university Affi

• Maintain confidentiality of information (including but not limited to: student and employee personal information, student grades, etc.), both during and after their employment with the University. Any question regarding the confidentiality of material, should be referred to the supervisor. Any violation shall subject the employee to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

% of Time

35% Run billing process, maintain billing tables, disburse financial aid

30% Review and voucher student refunds; follow up on uncashed refund checks

20% Monitor the out of school payment plan and tuition collection processes

10% Counsel students, parents, faculty and staff on billing policies

5% Supervise staff members that report directly to the position

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong interpersonal customer service skills and written communication skills necessary to interact with students, parents and outside agencies.
• Experience interpreting and explaining complex policies and processes to customers in sometimes stressful situations
• Knowledge of basic math skills, basic accounting to verify tuition and loan payments and collection activities.
• Experience working in Colleague, TouchNet or similar information systems.
• Ability to receive telephone calls, respond to inquiries and communicate with others by telephone, email or other virtual means.
• Knowledge of financial operations with strong independent judgment skills.
• Ability to work on a project from start to finish with little or no help from the supervisor.
• Ability to interpret instructions and reports given by the controller and the functional officer.

QUALIFICATION STANDARDS

• Bachelor's degree is required
• A minimum of 3 years experience in student accounts, student financial services, accounts receivable, accounting or a related field
• A minimum of 2 years of managerial experience is preferred

Knowledge of federal and state regulations; organizational skills and ability to effectively communicate with students and parents in a high-pressure environment