"Accountant III"

Accountant III of Student Loans and Collections

Student Accounts

The Office of Student Accounts is looking to recruit a leader to supervise the day-to-day, month-end, and year-end financial activities and operation of the Student Loans and Collections unit within the office. These activities include ensuring timely and accurate completion of duties related to campus-based Perkins and Berner loan administration, financial loan transactions, reporting, and reconciliations, student and general accounts receivable collections administration, financial transactions, reporting, and reconciliation. The Accountant III must stay up to date with changes in federal and state regulations as they relate to disclosure, truth in lending, etc. to make certain the University stays in compliance.

WHAT MAKES THE Student Accounts Department A GREAT PLACE?

• Generous benefits, including health, dental, vision, tuition assistance, retirement, etc.
• A knowledge-sharing organization that works collaboratively with a variety of partners.
• Professional development opportunity and mentorship
• A rapidly growing center within an academic setting

Examples of duties include:

• Manage and oversee the daily functions of Student Loans & Collections (SLC) staff. Develops strategies for maintaining low student loan default rates through staff training, procedural changes, and implementing new technologies. Monitors workflow of the system and adjusts collection strategies accordingly. Ensures accuracy of recorded financial transactions to provide the highest quality aging of accounts data for management reporting and decision-making.
• Serve as the primary advisor to the Assistant Director, assist with providing leadership in the development of overall programs, management, and operations of campus-based loan administration and accounts receivable collections, assisting with developing policies, procedures, and systems related to these functions and system interfaces with Banner, OnPlanU collections software, and third-party campus-based loan billing systems. Prepare management financial and operational reports, analyses, data, and information for administrative purposes to support the efficient and effective operation of Student Loans & Collections.
• Assigns past-due accounts to third-party collection agencies according to pre-established policies and procedures. Monitors the performance of third-party collection agencies, reconciles accounts placed with collection agencies for timely servicing of inventory, conducts audits of loan billing services and collection agencies, and oversees the monthly reconciliation of financial transactions between the University general ledger and third-party systems/servicers. Reviews accounts receivable general ledger transactions with the Assistant Director and recommends quarterly write-offs of uncollectible accounts. Audits and oversees the processing of bad debt write-off accounting transactions and performs reconciliation of Banner and accounts receivable transactions posted to the general ledger to ensure proper recording of transactions. Prepares written communication and disseminates communication to the student body via email and Salesforce ticketing system.
• Manage Perkins Loan assignments and administration (borrower and agency inquiries, promissory notes, exit maintenance, agency placements, etc.) Manage Perkins and Berner loan reporting.
• Provide guidance and leadership as required to university committees and business units, professional organizations, and state and federal entities. Prepare management reports, analyses, data, and information for administrative purposes. Establish and maintain productive work relationships with university departments.
• Manages collections of payroll overpayment of employee benefits with the Human Resources department on an as-needed basis.

Qualifications:

Minimum Hiring Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and three years of related experience; or a combination of education and related experience.

Preferred Hiring Qualifications:

In addition to meeting the minimum hiring standards, preference may be given to the following: Bachelor's degree. Experience with student loans and collections as well as collections regulations and laws. Knowledge of general accounting principles. Previous experience creating reports. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Previous experience in problem solving and following up until resolution is found. Four years of experience working with student accounts or financial aid programs. Working knowledge of Banner (or similar student information system) and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word).