Student Accounts Rep & Coordinator

Dillard University; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Dillard University is seeking an experienced Bursar/Student Accounts Specialist to support billing, financial aid posting, and collections. You will interact with students and parents to deliver excellent customer service while resolving account inquiries and issues.

The role requires accuracy in posting aid, reconciling accounts, and maintaining records, with supervision of student workers and collaboration across university offices.

Qualifications

• Experience in customer service and accounts receivable collections is desirable.
• Familiarity with financial aid knowledge is a plus.
• Ability to research inquiries and respond accurately.

Responsibilities

• Advise on tuition cost and general student account information.
• Respond to inquiries about student accounts, billing statements, and policies.
• Post financial aid to student accounts and process refunds/payments.
• Analyze accounts, reconcile discrepancies, and maintain records.
• Coordinate with students for delinquent accounts and collections.
• Oversee student workers and maintain data security of files.
• Communicate with university departments, auditors, and external agencies.
• Prepare accounting reports for administrative use.

Skills

Customer service

Accounts receivable

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Education

High School diploma

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Position Overview

The primary focus of this position is geared towards student account assistance, to post student financial aid and to collect funds for the University. Communicate and interact with customers including students and their parents to provide effective customer service. This position is responsible for receiving, researching and appropriately responding to inquiries and/or complaints regarding student accounts, billing statements, Bursar's Office and University policies and procedures, and other related issues. This position must communicate with account holders, other university departments, auditors, banks, outside collection agencies, and management personnel for providing information and technical assistance needed to collect funds and resolve problems relative to this position. Position may oversee student workers with duties assigned by the Bursar.

Essential Duties and Functions

• Advise students and parents on tuition cost, and general student account information.
• Counsel and respond to general inquiries about student account that include but are not limited to student account statements, student invoices, payment plans and loans.
• Analyze accounts and conduct other research as necessary to respond to inquiries and resolve questions and/or complaints; identify problems or errors in accounts; determine appropriate corrective actions within established guidelines and implement or refer for action as appropriate. Maintain database of student accounts.
• Review, reconcile, and post all financial aid awards to student accounts
• Research and resolve student account discrepancies
• Maintain student financial records
• Maintain familiarity with policies and procedures of the department, University and/or programs in order to provide specialized information concerning accounts.
• Maintain interface with University personnel to obtain and/or provide information to verify or support accuracy of financial records, to answer inquiries concerning Bursar's Office accounts or accounting procedures, and to ensure compliance with established University policies and procedures.
• Identify students with un-cleared balances and work with students to resolve outstanding accounts; maintain records and statistics regarding outstanding accounts.
• Maintain student account documentation to assist agencies in the collection of outstanding debts from graduated or withdrawn students; maintain relevant statistics for reporting and analysis.
• Receive, analyze and respond to incoming correspondence regarding student; identify patterns and trends of problems related to accounts, notifying and/or referring to supervisor as appropriate.
• Process various accounting documents including, but not limited to, those related to student account refunds and payment plans, ensuring actions are in accordance with established guidelines; assist in the preparation of special accounting reports for administrative utilization.
• Contact students with delinquent accounts for collection of overdue amounts. Coordinate monthly billing.
• Verify accuracy of accounts.
• Authorize or refer accounts to Collection Agency for collection and legal actions against debtors. Oversee and coordinate activities of student workers in related activities.
• Responsible for custody, control, maintenance, organization, and security of the loan and accounts receivable files.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and/or Experience

High School diploma, one-year certificate from college or technical school; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) from four-year college or university preferred; or at least two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience 1-2 years in either accounting environment. Possess skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Collections and Accounting skills are all deemed necessary for this position. Financial aid knowledge is preferred. Experience in customer service and accounts receivable collections desired.

Supervision

Position will oversee student workers.

Certifications, licenses and registration

None required.

Competencies

• Language and communication Ability to read, analyze, and interpret governmental regulations, professional and business periodicals. Ability to write reports, business correspondences and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from designated groups.
• Mathematics Ability to work with mathematical concepts. Apply to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical solution.
• Reasoning Ability Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in a various formats. Ability to handle multiple assignments. Must be detailed oriented and have the ability to work independently

Work environment

The work environment described here are representative of working conditions an employee may encounters while performing the essential duties and functions. The noise level in the work environments is usually moderate. There are repetitive movements (typing, assembly operations, etc) and prolonged sitting or standing in one position (without choice) in closed environment.