Bursar

The Bursar is a high-profile leadership role in the University ensuring students receive excellent customer service and developing relationships with key stakeholders within the university. The Bursar has overall responsibility for student financial accounting, student account receivables, third party accounts, cashiering operations, 1098T reporting, management of collection agency activity and loans. The position requires independent judgement capabilities, high level analytical skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to address issues and resolve problems with internal and external constituents clearly and effectively, (i.e.: executive management, faculty, staff, students, external auditors, and professional colleagues). The position reports to the Treasurer/Controller within the Division of Finance.  The Bursar must be a hands-on leader that will work to develop and support their team as well as peers.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Direct administrative and operational activities of the Office of the Bursar.  Services are offered in-person and on-line, including, but not limited to, student accounts, collections, and compliance efforts.
• Plan, develop, and implement policies and procedures related to student financial matters.
• Foster changes and enhancements in the enterprise student finance system (PeopleSoft) to benefit students, reporting and/or compliance.
• Lead the technical and functional tuition assessment processes within PeopleSoft, working with the Office of Registrar, Financial Aid, Budget, and Information Technology Services to accurately set up the assessment of tuition and fees for each semester billing.
• Manage users of the PeopleSoft student financial system.  Perform detailed and complex troubleshooting for problem resolution within the system for students, staff and external users. Create accounting codes for appropriate distribution of revenue and expense. Design queries to be utilized for analysis and reconciliation purposes.
• Oversee all university accounts receivable billings; including student, non-student, and third-party contracts to ensure all critical billing/invoicing timelines are met.
• Oversee disbursement of student financial aid accounts, tuition refunds, and third-party refunds.
• Supervise the write-off of tuition, fees, housing and related charges.  Apply Student financial registration holds as necessary per university policy.
• Preparation or review of accounting transactions to the General Ledger and account reconciliations.  Performs accounting functions for year-end close transactions, schedules, reconciliations, and other assigned tasks.  Assist in the coordination of the annual audit as well as prepare audit work papers and provide information related to accounts receivable and student records as required.
• Facilitate the preparation of annual 1098T forms.
• Ensure the accurate and timely processing of annual reporting to HRSA and preparation of FISAP.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal and state laws (i.e., Federal Title IV, FERPA, loan and grant programs, etc.).
• Engage with university academic, student service, and auxiliary departments on related issues.
• Serve on committees that impact student financial matters.
• Analyze department budget and approve operating expenditures.
• Recruit, hire, train, motivate and coach performance of assigned staff reporting up to the position to meet established goals and requirements of the office.
• Perform other duties as assigned from time to time in support of the Controller/ Treasurer and/or CFO.
• Organize, prepare and submit requests for proposal for third-party contracts, recommend contractual agreements, and direct implementation of contracted services.
• Perform related duties based on departmental need.
• Normal office situation: remote work as indicated by department.
• Occasional overnight travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five to Seven (5-7) years of university Business Office experience, accounts receivable field in higher education preferred.
• Three (3) years of supervisory experience
• Auditing or compliance experience.
• Must be highly organized, able to multitask, and be a self-starter who can work independently with sensitive, confidential information.
• Demonstrated leadership behaviors that result in making good decisions aligned with the
  university's priorities. Encourage team members to meet and exceed goals and objectives; identifying the strengths and development areas of each team member and inspire them to do their best work in an effective manner.
• Effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.  Communicate with all levels of students, staff and management.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, set priorities, develop work plans and monitor progress towards goals.
• Demonstrated ability to simplify and represent complex concepts.
• Working knowledge of standard collection practices including Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Red Flag Rules, PCI Compliance Laws, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLB Act)
• Experience in a higher education environment
• Expertise in student information systems, preferably PeopleSoft and other related payment systems

Competencies

• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Organized – manages time effectively, keeps tasks appropriately prioritized.
• Proactive – anticipates & plans for problems before they arise.
• Flexible – able to change directions as needed, helps with change management.
• Service excellence – provides timely, accurate information, pleasant to work with
• Strong work ethic – motivated, diligent, stays on tasks to completion.
• Lead, direct and motivate direct reports.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws and standards to unique situations.