Student Financial Operations Specialist (HR Title: Student Financial Specialist)

Southern Methodist University; University Park (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

SMU in University Park, Texas, is seeking an on-campus Student Financial Operations Specialist. This role focuses on refunding student accounts, ensuring compliance with federal and university policies, and coordinating with third-party vendors to manage transfers.

The position requires strong communication, detail orientation, and willingness to work extended hours during peak periods. Candidates should have a high school diploma (associate degree preferred) and some financial experience.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate degree preferred.
• Accounting/Finance related degree desired.
• 2+ years of work experience in finance or related field; higher education preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee refunding of student accounts: create/manage refunding worklists, analyze accounts, ensure Title IV compliance.
• Assist with general account maintenance: process refunds, stop-payments, wire transfers, escheatment, AR, chargebacks.
• Resolve student account inquiries: respond to inquiries; primary contact for refunding, deposits, wires, withdrawals.
• Support student financial operations: participate in team initiatives, staff development, admissions orientation, daily deposits.
• Work extended hours during peak periods, including some evenings and Saturdays.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Customer service

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Learning new software

Financial knowledge

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate's degree preferred

Accounting/Business/Finance related degree desired

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Job Description - Student Financial Operations Specialist (HR Title: Student Financial Specialist) (OFF00000194)

Job Description

Description

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Student Financial Operations Specialist, under the direction of the Associate Director of Student Financial Operations, is primarily responsible for overseeing and managing the refunding process to ensure compliance with federal, state, and University policies. This includes overseeing various refund worklists, managing file transfers for third-party services, and planning refunding assignments for other team members involved in the refunding process.

The Specialist will analyze student accounts, research account discrepancies, reconcile items as needed, and provide excellent customer service.

Essential Functions:

Oversee refunding of student accounts: Create and manage refunding worklists , review and analyze student accounts for refunding per federal and University policies and Title IV compliance regulations, review and process student accounts for debit/credit transfers, manage file transfers to third-party vendors, and oversee refunding assignments for other team members.

Assist with general account maintenance: Perform operational functions necessary for student financial operations as it relates to refunding, including processing void/stale-dated refunds, stop-payment requests, posting of wire transfers, the escheatment process, assisting with accounts receivable , and processing credit card chargebacks/disputes.

Resolve student account inquiries: Respond to inquiries from students, parents, faculty, and staff. Serve as a primary point of contact for issues involving refunding, deposits, wire transfers, and withdrawals.

Support student financial operations: Actively participate in various team initiatives, including staff development activities, supporting admissions orientation programs, and processing daily deposits.

Position requires working extended hours during peak periods, including occasional evenings and Saturdays, as needed.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Associate’s degree is preferred. A degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field desired.

A minimum of two (2) years of work experience is required, preferably in financial field.

Experience in higher education is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills. A strong customer service orientation is essential.

Candidate must demonstrate strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills. A strong focus on attention to detail is essential.

Candidate must have the ability to analyze and evaluate a student account and track payments. Knowledge of compliance with federal regulations is a plus.

Candidate must possess a strong working knowledge of Word, Excel, and Outlook. T he ability to learn new software quickly is preferred.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply:

November 13, 2026

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by November 6, 2026.

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of healthand related benefit s. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMUand, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.