Student Accounts Counselor

Position Summary

Under general supervision, this position is to provide quality customer service by assisting students through the financial clearance process from matriculation to graduation; setting up payment arrangements; and continuously monitoring student accounts to ensure proper billing, collections, and refunds are taking place by performing the following duties:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Present a positive and supportive image of California Baptist University.
• Counsel students and parents regarding their financial obligation to the University.
• Explain the University’s policies and procedures as they relate to student accounts.
• Review student billing and financial aid awards to determine out-of-pocket costs and balance due; assist students with setting up a payment plan to cover.
• Work closely with Financial Aid, the Office of the Registrar, Residence Life, Campus Life, Advising, Enrollment Services, and other offices of the University. Maintain a positive working relationship with these areas and foster an atmosphere of goodwill and teamwork across departments.
• Thoroughly respond to inquiries from students, parents, and staff by way of email, phone, and in person.
• Monitor student account balances, keeping students informed of their account status. This may involve follow-up with the students regarding payment plans and the application for financial aid.
• Assist with collection efforts of past-due accounts.
• Manage student account holds; verify clearance to register and receive transcripts and diplomas.
• Determine book voucher eligibility and issuance of book vouchers.
• Initiate student refund requests for students with excess funds or overpayments.
• Coordinate and follow up on payment plans with the contracted tuition management service.
• Invoice and coordinate with Veteran Affairs, Employers, Department of Rehabilitation, ROTC, etc. for students with benefits from outside organizations.
• Maintain student files and correspondence.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position could be responsible for assigning work and/or giving direction to part-time Student Workers, in order to complete office work assignments.

Other Knowledge Skills and Abilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Demonstrated ability and willingness to live and uphold the University’s Christ-centered mission and values.
• Ability to use independent judgment, and to manage and impart confidential information.
• Skill in the use of personal computers and related software applications.
• Through knowledge of: Business English and arithmetic; general office methods, procedures, and practices.
• Ability to read and write at a level appropriate to the duties of the position.
• Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports.
• Strong organizational skills and detail-oriented.
• Excellent telephone courtesy, knowledge, and experience.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with a diverse faculty, staff, and student body.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and sit; and requires sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate a computer keyboard or other office equipment. Requires visual acuity to read words and numbers; and speaking and hearing ability sufficient to communicate in person or over the phone. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor’s degree from a four-year accredited college or university; and one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.