Bursar

Position Title: Bursar

Department: Finance Office

Advertised Pay: Competitive

Campus Location: Washburn University

The screening committee will review all eligible applications submitted by June 14, 2023

Position Summary: The Bursar is responsible for designing, planning, and implementing policies and procedures for the University Business Office to ensure optimal service to students, parents, staff, etc., and must ensure efficient and accurate processing of and accounting for all payments received by the office.

Essential Functions:
The Bursar recruits, hires, trains, schedules, and evaluates the performance and effectiveness of assigned staff to maximize employee performance and facilitate professional growth. Provides feedback and professional development opportunities. As the team leader and motivator will work to maintain a healthy, fair, and inclusive work environment by promoting diversity, exercising teamwork, and collaboration. Actively promotes a professional workplace culture of mutual respect and collegiality for all members of the institution. Works to build positive and cooperative relationships with staff, encouraging them to work toward individual and departmental goals. Establishes lines of open communication with Business Office staff to encourage and foster active involvement in improvements to Business Office processes and practices.

The Bursar is responsible for identifying, designing and planning needed changes to the office’s policies and procedures. Once identified, the Bursar will direct the implementation of planned changes and additions to the department’s policies, procedures and goals. This includes ensuring staff receives adequate training to perform the essential functions of their positions which includes but is not limited to determining eligibility for and/or suitability of granting emergency loans, administration of campus responsibilities for Perkins loans, collections procedures and policies, and distribution of financial aid checks.

The Bursar partners with other University departments and staff to ensure the Business Office’s procedures align with and support university departments' procedures, including the proper recording of receipts. Collaborates with ITS to develop, test and implement new or upgraded existing computer technology.

Assists students and parents in person, via email, US Mail and telephone by explaining procedures, providing information, and addressing and resolving problems, issues or concerns with student accounts while adhering to FERPA requirements.

The Bursar regularly presents to groups of students, their families, and guests at New Student Orientation events to provide information and answer questions about the functions of the Business Office and the processes related to paying for tuition.

Create and maintain Finance and Business Office web pages. Develop and prepare information about requirements, deadlines and procedures relative to student payments to be shared in registration guides, University catalogs, targeted announcements, mailed communications, electronic billing, and emails to promote understanding of processes.

Compile and analyze data and report Business Office activities to the Controller as appropriate to ensure awareness of Business Office activities, effectiveness or concerns.

Process and monitor end-of-day accounting processes, working with the Finance Office to ensure accuracy or solve out-of-balance problems. Process financial aid refunds on a published schedule, working with the Financial Aid Office and the Finance Office to ensure accuracy and the timely distribution of Title IV funds to students. Process non-tuition Athletic scholarship refunds in a manner that will facilitate correct 1098-T data gathering and form preparation. Monitor and reconcile Title IV financial aid awards and available funds; draw down funds as required. Monitor and reconcile State Work Study, housing deposit, and emergency loan accounts. Monitor and reconcile student Accounts Receivable, calculate the allowance for doubtful accounts, and relay information to the Controller.

Complete the financial portions of the annual IPEDS survey and FISAP report to assist other departments in required reporting. Prepare, submit and approve 1098-T data files annually according to federal reporting guidelines. Answer questions about 1098-T form information.

Performs additional job-related duties as assigned or as appropriate.

Required Qualifications (Updated 7/5/23):
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance or a closely related field.
• A minimum of one year of experience in a supervisory accounting position which may overlap with other work experience.
• Advanced knowledge of Excel. Experience in reconciling accounts

Preferred Qualifications (Updated 7/5/23):
• At least two years of work experience in a Bursar or Student Account office.
• Work experience in higher education.
• Experience presenting in front of large groups.

Full time Exempt Mon-Fri, Background Check Required