Bursar

Fairfield University is a co-educational, comprehensive Jesuit university with a 200-acre campus located along the scenic shoreline community of Fairfield, CT. The University is comprised of approximately 3,500 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate students pursuing degrees within 5 schools: The College of Arts and Sciences, The Charles F. Dolan School of Business, The School of Engineering, The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, and School of Education and Human Development. As an expression of our Jesuit, Catholic mission and identity, Fairfield embraces a liberal humanistic approach to education, encouraging critical thinking, cultivating free and open inquiry, and fostering ethical and religious values.

Job Description:

DIVISION: Finance

DEPARTMENT: Bursar’s Office

JOB SUMMARY:

The Bursar is responsible for the management of all student account billing and collection activities and the integration of the student accounts receivable system with the Finance system; establishing working relationships with departments across the University to ensure accuracy and completeness for tuition and fee assessment; ensuring excellent customer service for students and families; overseeing the banking operations, including deposits to the bank from campus departments and related accounting entries. The Bursar role is also responsible for preparation of reports related to Student Account Receivable for Senior Management and interfacing with private and federal auditors.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s Degree in business required or equivalent related experience; MBA preferred.

EXPERIENCE: 5+ years’ work experience in a financial environment; financial customer service experience preferred.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL NEEDED:

Excellent leadership, employee supervision and development skills; excellent oral and written communication skills; attention to details; basic accounting knowledge. Knowledge of various computer software programs supporting student billing and receivable records such as Banner and Workday a plus.

UNUSUAL WORK CONDITIONS: Exposure to highly confidential information

SUPERVISION OF PERSONNEL: DIRECT

1 Assistant Bursar

2 Bursar Associates, Receivable

1 Bursar Associate, Banking

2 Work Study students (Fall/Spring semesters)

REPORTS TO: Vice President for Finance & Chief Financial Officer

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Manages the student billing accounts within the university which includes:

• maintenance of tuition and fee rules per semester
  
  
• preparation and generation of student billing statements
  
  
• issuing all refunds of students’ fees, as appropriate,
  
  
• collecting and accounting for defaulted checks,
  
  
• developing procedures for financial transactions and making changes as necessary
  
  

2. Responsible for the coordination of various university departments in preparation for the student billing each semester.

3. Works with the Financial Aid Office concerning all student aid programs, timing of disbursements and refunds.

4. Coordinates all correspondence and schedules meetings with students and parents concerning billing and payment inquiries and maintains records regarding all correspondence, meetings, and payment arrangements.

5. Performs due diligence on past-due accounts.

6. Reconciles student accounts receivables with General Ledger.

7. Responsible for coordinating the independent tuition payment plan that is available to undergraduate students and with various collection agencies regarding past due accounts.

8. Manage the systems maintenance and development of all related accounts receivables programs and their update, including integration of the Student system with the Finance system.

9. Coordinates with the Registrar’s Office regarding registration procedures.

10. Oversees the monthly and annual reporting of NDSL/Perkins and Nursing federal loan programs and Assignment of Perkins loans, as applicable.

11. Administers and is responsible for the following Treasury operations of the University:

• Deposit to bank all incoming monies to the university Interfaces with the banks utilized in daily cash management
  
  
• PCI compliance
  
  
• Preparation of weekly and monthly cash flow reports
  
  

12. Prepares reports for Senior Management.

13. Interfaces with private and federal auditors concerning the university’s financial policies and procedures.

14. Manages the professional development of the Bursar’s office.

• promoting an image of efficiency and courtesy throughout the university community consistent with the department’s mission
  
  
• participating in staff meetings
  
  
• communicating effectively with supervisor concerning pertinent departmental or university matters
  
  

15. Promotes safe and secure working conditions. This involves:

• promoting the proper utilization of equipment and materials
  
  
• notifying supervisor immediately of any unsafe working conditions
  
  

16. Performs other related duties as directed or dictated by responsibilities.



*This position is based at Fairfield University’s Fairfield, CT campus.

Disclaimer: The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Duties may be changed and/or be added at any time.

Category:

Finance - Admin

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

Fairfield University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, committed to excellence through diversity, and, in this spirit, particularly welcomes applications from women, persons of color, Veterans, and members of historically underrepresented groups. The University will provide reasonable accommodations to all qualified individuals with a disability.

Load a resume or CV first, then upload supporting documents including a cover letter at the bottom of the third page under the "My Experience" section where it says to upload a Resume/CV. You will be able to upload up to 5 other documents in this section. You will be unable to edit your application, so please have all documents available before applying. Faculty Positions : If you need to upload more than 5 documents, please either combine them to upload or email the additional documents to the applicable contact in the job description. Staff positions : If you need to upload more than 5 documents, please either combine them to upload or email them to hr@fairfield.edu