Bursar/Director of Student Accounts

FLSA Classification: Exempt (salaried) Annual Salary: $55,000-$70,000 Travel: No routine travel required; occasional local travel may be assigned POSITION OVERVIEW The Bursar/Director of Student Accounts provides leadership and oversight for University operations involving student billing, payment plans, receivables, collections, refunds, cashiering coordination, and related financial compliance. The position ensures accurate, efficient, and service-focused administration of student accounts while maintaining compliance with institutional policies and applicable federal and state requirements. Reporting to the Comptroller, the Bursar partners with Finance, Financial Aid, the Registrar, Enrollment Management, Athletics, Housing, and other University offices to improve processes, resolve complex account matters, safeguard financial information, and enhance the student financial experience. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. - Direct the daily operations of Student Accounts, including billing, receivables, collections, payment-plan administration, refunds, fee adjustments, and account-related transactions. - Ensure the timely and accurate assessment and issuance of tuition, fees, room, board, and other institutional charges; maintain and validate applicable billing tables and controls. - Develop, document, implement, and periodically evaluate procedures and internal controls that promote accuracy, compliance, efficiency, appropriate segregation of duties, and consistent service delivery. - Monitor student account balances, aging, payment arrangements, collection activity, and account adjustments; coordinate appropriate follow-up and manage relationships with approved outside collection agencies. - Ensure accurate recording, reconciliation, retention, and reporting of student financial data and supporting documentation. - Collaborate with the Office of the Comptroller to reconcile student accounts, cash receipts, financial-aid disbursements, refunds, and related general-ledger activity. - Ensure compliance with applicable requirements involving student accounts and payment processing, including FERPA, Title IV, PCI DSS, Southern University System policies, and University procedures. - Prepare financial reports, forecasts, analyses, and operational updates for the Comptroller and other authorized University officials. - Provide timely, accurate, respectful, and empathetic service to students, parents, employees, and other stakeholders; review and resolve escalated account issues and complaints within delegated authority. - Collaborate with Financial Aid, the Registrar, Enrollment Management, Athletics, Housing, Information Technology, and other offices to streamline processes and remove barriers affecting student enrollment and persistence. - Lead the effective use and continuous improvement of Ellucian Banner student-account functions, self-service tools, payment platforms, and other approved technology solutions. - Supervise the Accounts Receivable Coordinator and student workers, including work planning, training, performance feedback, and accountability, in accordance with University policy and delegated authority. - Ensure assigned staff maintain current knowledge of customer-service expectations, University procedures, and regulatory requirements. - Perform other related duties as assigned. SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND JUDGMENT The Bursar exercises professional judgment within established laws, regulations, accounting principles, University policies, internal controls, and delegated authority. The position is responsible for the consistent administration of student-account operations and refers policy exceptions, material financial risks, non-routine transactions, and matters outside delegated authority to the Comptroller or other appropriate University official. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Candidates must satisfy one of the following education-and-experience pathways: - Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field and at least three years of progressively responsible experience in student financial services, student accounts, accounting, accounts receivable, or a closely related area; or - Associate degree in a related field and at least five years of progressively responsible relevant experience; or - High school diploma or recognized equivalent and at least seven years of progressively responsible relevant experience. - The qualifying experience must include demonstrated responsibility for complex student-account, receivables, accounting, or financial-service operations and at least two years of supervisory, team-lead, or comparable operational leadership experience. - Demonstrated knowledge of regulations and standards applicable to student accounts, including FERPA and Title IV requirements. - Experience using a student information system or enterprise financial system and related financial-management software. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Bachelor's or master's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, higher-education administration, or a related field. - Advanced experience with Ellucian Banner and electronic payment or student-account platforms. - Experience managing student-account or bursar operations in a higher-education environment. KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES - Knowledge of student accounts, accounts receivable, cashiering, collections, refunds, payment plans, cash-management principles, and related internal controls. - Working knowledge of FERPA, Title IV requirements, PCI DSS, and other regulations and standards relevant to student financial services. - Ability to interpret financial information, prepare clear reports and analyses, and communicate technical matters to diverse audiences. - Ability to examine and improve operations, develop procedures, assess programs, and implement effective service and compliance strategies. - Strong customer-service, conflict-resolution, interpersonal, supervisory, organizational, and written and oral communication skills. - Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, manage competing deadlines, and foster a collaborative work environment. - Proficiency with Ellucian Banner or a comparable student information system, financial-management software, Microsoft Office, and electronic payment tools. WORK ENVIRONMENT PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND SCHEDULE Work is primarily performed in an office setting using standard office equipment and computer systems. - Ability to sit, stand, and walk as needed; climb stairs; communicate verbally and in writing; and use a keyboard and standard office equipment. - Ability to lift or carry materials weighing up to 10 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation. - Evening or weekend work and limitations on leave may be required during registration, fiscal close, audit, and other peak operational periods. BENEFITS Eligible employees may participate in health insurance offered through the Louisiana Office of Group Benefits, retirement through the Teachers' Retirement System of Louisiana, dental and vision coverage offered through UNUM, applicable paid time off benefits, and tuition waivers. Benefit eligibility is determined by the employee's appointment, plan requirements, and University and Southern University System policies. HOW TO APPLY Applicants should submit all required application materials through the Southern University at New Orleans employment application process. Applications must clearly demonstrate that the applicant meets one of the required education-and-experience pathways and all other minimum qualifications. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND NON DISCRIMINATION Southern University at New Orleans is an Equal Opportunity Employer. SUNO prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, veteran or military status, membership in the Uniformed Services, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This commitment applies to employment and to the administration of educational programs, policies, scholarships, loans, athletics, and other University-administered programs. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT STATEMENT SUNO complies with applicable federal and state disability laws and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. Individuals who need a reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, or to access employment benefits should contact the Office of Human Resources. STATE AS A MODEL EMPLOYER Louisiana is a State as a Model Employer that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.