Bursar

Travel:
No routine travel required; occasional local travel may be assigned

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.

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 plans, 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.

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.

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…