Student Accounts Associate

Position Overview

Use your customer service and accounting skills to assist our students and parents with meeting their financial obligation to MSU. Preparing refunds to students, assisting with university withdrawal processing, and managing the Third Party Sponsor accounts will round out your day.

Responsibilities include providing accurate and specialized information and services to students, parents, staff and the public. Maintain accurate student accounts for billing and refunding; place and monitor holds on student accounts. Review, monitor and process university withdrawals; review and process student refunds and PPLUS loans. Monitor, evaluate and reconcile third‑party sponsor accounts; bill and collect current and past due third‑party accounts.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

• Provide exceptional customer service and represent Student Accounts in a knowledgeable and professional manner for student, parent and public inquiries via telephone, email and walk‑in. Provide guidance and solve problems as needed.
• Provide accurate information regarding fee payment, holds, balances, Student Account office policies, procedures, and deadlines.
• Review and process student refunds including Parent PLUS loan refunds.
• Process and finalize student university withdrawals.
• Adjust as needed to maintain accurate accounting of funds to be paid or refunded.

• Reconcile Banner balances for third‑party billing.
• Research errors and process corrections.
• Process special handling to meet sponsor’s requirements.
• Analyze current services and suggest innovative improvements to facilitate easier readability of general bill and make it applicable to a wider range of clients.

• Progressively responsible accounting or bookkeeping experience which includes significant processing and tracking of expense or revenue transactions or other detailed financial data.
• Customer service work experience requiring frequent interactions with a wide variety of constituents via phone, email and/or in‑person. Experience creating positive interactions with challenging topics.
• Experience organizing and prioritizing workloads, meeting deadlines, and adapting to changing priorities while maintaining a positive, effective and professional approach.
• Experience using spreadsheet, word processing, and e‑mail software.
• Experience interpreting, explaining, and maintaining compliance with policies and procedures.

• Two years of post‑secondary education in accounting or related field plus three years (or part‑time equivalent) of progressively responsible accounting experience or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Knowledge and experience with Excel.

• Embrace and adapt quickly to changes in priorities, processes and work environment with a positive attitude.
• Prioritize and organize work effectively with minimal supervision to deliver multiple assignments accurately and on time.
• Be highly organized with great attention to detail and a high level of accuracy in work product.
• Be forward‑looking, able to anticipate problems and proactively address them.
• Have the ability to see the big picture and interpret data to discover the root cause of problems.
• Maintain confidentiality of records and sensitive information.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with outside agencies, students, community members and co‑workers in a team‑oriented environment.
• Provide exceptional customer service and represent Student Accounts and the University in a positive, professional manner.
• Demonstrate excellent, professional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to accurately interpret and courteously explain policies and procedures.
• Exercise initiative and independent judgment in solving complex problems and in interpreting and applying policies and procedures.

Salary $24.59 per hour, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

This job description should not be construed as…