General Job Brief

Under direct supervision of the AP/AR & Payroll Administrator, the Student Accounts Specialist is responsible for the daily activities to properly account for student finances, including creating and maintaining the Student Information System (SIS) for tuition and fees, recording charges and payments, drawing down and recording of Financial Aid funding from G5, tracking of student receivables, and reporting.

This role also requires a comprehensive understanding of and commitment to the unique Christian mission and vision of ACU to Transform Culture with Truth, and the ability to advance that mission and vision through the skills and abilities required for this position.

Typical Duties (The following duties are those typically required to do the job but are not intended to include all duties that comprise the job content. Typical duties are intended to illustrate the diversity and levels of difficulty of the job.)

Student Accounts System Management

• Create payment plans within the SIS, annually
• Maintain and track merchant account portal related to student accounts payments, ongoing
• Collaborate as needed with SIS provider to ensure optimal use of the system tools for Student Accounts
• Ensure adherence to accounting segregation of duties and internal control policies by all users per Finance Department Audit Controls

Accounting and Billing Process

• Review and post charges per student account based on class registration, weekly
• Review and post charges per student account based on housing and meal plans selected, weekly
• Analyze student accounts to determine accuracy and completeness
• Prepare billing statements, as directed
• Review accuracy of student credit card/merchant auto payments and post per student account, daily
• Review and apply cash student payments, Federal Aid, and outside scholarship payments; post per student account, as needed
• Collaborate with Financial Aid to ensure timely draw-down of Federal funds as well as the application and posting of Financial Aid to student accounts, as needed
• Refund overages to student/funder as incurred by application of Financial Aid funding per federal guidelines and HCM requirements, as needed
• Apply refunds, credits, DR and CR adjustments per policy and/or as directed by CFO and/or VPAA
• Review systems and processes for efficiencies; make suggestions for improvements.

Reporting

• Prepare and provide Accounts Receivable Aging Report of active students to Accounting Manager, monthly
• Prepare and provide Accounts Receivable Aging Report of former students to Accounting Manager for assignment to third party collections company, monthly
• Prepare and provide Student Accounts Reports for interested parties, as needed
• Prepare and ensure the timely submission of IRS 1098-T Form; annually

Other Duties and Responsibilities

Collaboration, organization, and efficiency are critical to success in this role. Completing other duties and tasks with utmost integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism, as directed and not necessarily mentioned in this description, will be expected. Provide spiritual support to staff and students, as needed.

Knowledge (Classification is typically expected to possess.)

• Knowledge of the Accounting, Billing, and Accounts Receivable process required
• Knowledge of an SIS in a higher education environment a plus
• Working knowledge of Federal Financial Aid process a plus

Education and Experience (Classification is typically expected to possess.)

• Minimum of an Associate Degree required; or the equivalent of 5 years of experience in Billing/Accounts Receivable.
• Must possess a minimum of 3 years of hands-on, technical billing/accounts receivable experience
• Higher Education experience is highly desired
• Experience using Populi or similar Student Information System (SIS) is highly desired

Ability and Skills (Classification is typically expected to possess or show potential of satisfactory development when placed in the job.)

• High analytical ability to evaluate student accounts for accuracy
• High attention to detail and accuracy; highly organized
• Ability to complete all duties with the utmost integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism
• Ability to effectively communicate with others and to work harmoniously with related personnel
• Ability to organize and prioritize work
• Ability to review operations for efficiencies; make suggestions for improvements
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook) and Google mail
• Commitment to the University's faith statement, mission, and purposes; and an active Christian faith
• Comfort and familiarity with the practice of praying with and for others, including students, faculty, and fellow University staff
• The ability to meaningfully support and encourage students, faculty, and staff from a biblical worldview perspective, using relevant and applicable references from the Old and New Testaments and orthodox Christian writings