STUDENT ACCOUNTS SPECIALIST

Institute of American Indian Arts; Santa Fe (NM); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Santa Fe, New Mexico is looking for an Accounting Specialist to assist students with account inquiries and billing. The role involves supervising the billing and collections process, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring exemplary customer service. Candidates must possess strong problem-solving skills and a background in accounting or finance. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a supportive academic environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in customer service and accounting functions.
• Ability to maintain financial records accurately and thoroughly.
• Strong communication skills to assist and guide students.

Responsibilities

• Provide customer service to students regarding account inquiries.
• Supervise billing and collections for delinquent accounts.
• Maintain accurate student account records and adjustments.

Skills

Customer service

Accounting principles

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance or related field

Tools

Excel

Job description

Reporting to the Financial Aid Director, this position provides students with exemplary customer service and assistance regarding charges and/or credits to their student accounts. This position also reports revenues and completes accounting functions according to established policies and procedures and as directed by the Financial Aid Director and Dean of Students, with high interface and collaboration with the Finance & Accounting department.

ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS

• Provide IAIA students with exemplary customer service and assistance regarding charges and credits to their account.
• Keep students informed of their balances owed or refundable.
• Supervise all billing and collections on delinquent accounts with diplomacy and decisiveness.
• Provide in-depth guidance and creatively solve problems related to student account billing, statements, and other financial transactions, including payments.
• Process and maintain assigned Financial Aid Office related assignments (routine and non-routine).
• Respond to all student inquiries related to account billing thoroughly and concisely by working closely with students, staff and parents, as well as responding to questions about student charges, financial aid awards, and status of student accounts.
• Develop and maintain constructive and cooperative working relationships with students, staff, and faculty.
• Assist students with making financial arrangements for satisfactory payments.
• Create outstanding balance reports for Financial Aid Director and the Finance Services Department
• Mail collection letters (if appropriate for response) within designated deadlines/timelines.
• Assist FAO Director and FAO Advisor in contacting students for FAO matters via fax, phone, and email as assigned/required.
• Keep students informed of their balances owed or refundable, which includes but is not limited to the following:
• Maintain orderly records of all student account information and ensure compliance of all records.
• Maintain current data on all student account activity.
• Complete all necessary adjustments to student accounts in a timely manner.
• Complete timely and accurate recording and verification of student charges, Financial Aid awards and other student related expenditures and payments.
• Maintain student account activity current.
• Compile, code, categorize, calculate, tabulate, audit and verify all student account information and data on a regular and/or assigned basis.
• Supervise all student account records, billing and collections of delinquent accounts with diplomacy and decisiveness, which includes but is not limited to the following:
• Investigate and collect information on delinquent accounts and negotiate reasonable repayment solutions while preserving the goodwill and understanding of students and parents to the greatest extent possible.
• Submit accounts to assigned collection agency when necessary.
• Respond to all inquiries regarding past due accounts and follow up as necessary to ensure prompt payment.
• Complete third party payments invoices in a timely and accurate manner.
• Add late fees, restriction holds and notices to students’ accounts as needed.
• Interact with external auditors and participate in audit projects.
• Transmit and download financial aid funds to student accounts.
• Serve as liaison with Financial Services Department.
• Other duties as assigned which are not limited to but may include:
• Supervise student employees (and/or work-study students).
• Process financial paperwork and submit forms in accordance with the IAIA Accounting Policies and Procedures.
• Maintain an Excel database for department and project budgets.
• Process the IRS 1098 for student accounts on an annual basis.
• Serve on assigned IAIA committees, such as Finance Services Committee, Emergency Planning, annual Pow Wow, etc.
• Other routine and non-routine duties as assigned/required by FA Director and Dean of Students via FA Director.