Student Accounts Senior Analyst

Position Title & Department:

Student Accounts Senior Analyst; Financial Services

Posting #

5550

Department Description: The Finance Office serves the needs of the university and its constituents. It is supported by the Controller's Office which oversees the accounting, cashiering, procurement, and student financial services operating units. The Tax and Compliance Office promotes compliance to federal and state tax laws, serves as a campus resource with respect to tax issues, and oversees the university's accounts payable and payroll activities. The Budget and Treasury unit conducts budget planning, capital financing, endowment investment, and cash management. The Office of Risk Management oversees the university's insurance policies and loss control efforts.

University Description:

The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity's urgent challenges.

Detailed Description:

Responsible for the collection of monies owed to USD and the disbursement and refund of Financial Aid, in compliance with Title IV Federal Regulations. Safeguards monies owed to USD for tuition, fees, housing, meal plans, health insurance, fines and all other miscellaneous student charges ($350M annually); assists students and parents with accounts, negotiates payment agreements that are mutually beneficial to USD and students, when families are unable to make payments under standard terms.

Serves as the main point of customer service contact for Student Accounts phone extension (~10,000 calls per year) and studentaccounts@sandiego.edu email received, including research and resolution of all inquiries received. Completes student account transactions, third-party billing, and prepares financial reports and reconciliations. Assists all student-service departments with student account inquiries. Completes special projects and provides Student Account presentations on campus as necessary.

Strong emphasis is placed on this person's ability to work independently and use professional judgement in the completion of his/her assigned responsibilities. This position interacts with all levels of students and their families, and administrators and staff daily.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Collection of student accounts for undergraduates, graduates, law, paralegal, open-campus and online students.

• Contacts students with current and past due balances and counsels students on options to pay.
• Negotiates, establishes, and monitors special payment arrangements when needed.

Assist Students and Parents

• Answers students/parents questions regarding policies and procedures in other student services departments such as: Registrars, Housing, Financial Aid, etc.
• Assist students/parents with understanding their accounts and payment options.
• Help students/parents meet their financial obligations while enforcing the university's registration/payment policies.
• Maintains professional demeanor under stressful situations.
• Responds to inquiries regarding 1098T tax forms.

Community Collaboration Activities

• Contacts incoming first-year and transfer students via telephone to welcome them to USD and share important billing information and policies.
• Participate in webinar activities for incoming class.
• Represents Student Financial Services at Parent and Family Orientation Program, Summer Send-Off, Grad Fest, and additional events as needed.
• Participate in student outreach activities and promotion of USD services, and activities, as assigned.
• Participate in training programs for campus departments.

General Student Account Duties

• Enforces Federal regulations governing the application and disbursement of financial aid.
• Maintains and reconciles various student and AR accounts.
• Consistently demonstrates the ability to define billing problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Ensure students have officially completed registration.
• Maintains confidentiality with sensitive student information, always working within the right to privacy guidelines, and in observance of the Family Education and Rights Act (FERPA).
• Works independently and within a team, makes sound business decisions, uses attention to detail, and manages multiple and competing demands in a fast- paced office environment.
• Assists in the development of written training materials, instruction, and new procedures.
• Provides direct supervision to student employees including work assignments.
• Cross trains with co-workers to meet the work coverage and special assignment needs of the department.
• Completes special projects as assigned.

Background check:

Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement

Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.

Job Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma required
• Minimum four years of work experience in an office environment, of which two years must be in student finance, student accounts or a related field. Substitution: A Bachelor's degree may substitute for up to two years of required experience, at the rate of two years of higher education is equivalent to one year of work experience.
• Excellent customer service skills required.
• Must be an independent thinker and analytical problem solver.
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Excel and Word
• Must have a demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize tasks with a strong use of initiative and precise attention to financial detail
• Must have a demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and manage time effectively with the highest degree of accuracy, while working in an environment of fluctuating priorities and frequent interruptions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a higher education student accounts, financial aid or other student services (with financial emphasis) environment highly preferred.
• Collection/accounts receivable background preferred.
• Customer service experience in a call or customer center preferred.
• Knowledge of Title IV regulations and generally accepted accounting principles and fund accounting as they pertain to higher education or not-for-profit financial reporting preferred.

Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact in a positive, professional and courteous manner.
• Strong personal computer skills with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to learn and operate within ERP student, cashiering, document-imaging systems.
• Ability to prioritize workload, balance changing priorities, meet deadlines, and work effectively under pressure with a high accuracy rate.
• Excellent communication, both written and oral, and proven ability to exercise good working relations with a wide variety of people.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to work well under stressful situations and with difficult customers while maintaining a positive interaction.
• Ability to analyze, comprehend and explain detailed student financial accounts with accuracy.
• Proficiency of Internet usage, including student financial and cashiering applications.
• Ability to understand and implement University policies and procedures.
• Ability to use a 10-key calculator.
• Ability to work at a fast pace while maintaining a high degree of accuracy.