Director of Student Accounts

Director of Student Accounts

Arkansas State University-Newport

The Director of Student Accounts supports the success of Arkansas State University - Newport and the college’s short‑ and long‑term financial well‑being through effective management of student accounts and college accounts receivable, payment collection, administration, and reconciliations. The Director fosters a highly collaborative, enthusiastic, innovative, accessible, engaged, and service‑oriented culture for internal and external stakeholders. As custodian of college funds, the Director provides leadership on tuition and fee structures, refund processing, billing, receivables, and payments, and develops policies and procedures related to student finances.

The Director also implements a dynamic advising and analysis program for students and stakeholders, ensuring compliance and developing solutions to elevated requests and concerns.

• Direct, supervise, and mentor employees to develop and maintain a high‑performance culture that values accountability, leadership, sound planning, service, and excellent execution.
• Lead and participate in strategic planning, departmental goal setting and evaluation, and continuous process and service improvement.
• Present a consistent voice for the department and foster mutual respect and understanding amongst internal and external stakeholders in a manner that improves support services.
• Oversee the student accounts receivable program, including billing, payment plans, account receivable reconciliations, payment administration, collection procedures, write‑offs, bad debt, resolving discrepancies, and communication.
• Coordinate the accurate preparation and completion of state and federal tax forms and reports, including Form 1098‑T, and ensure timely submission to the IRS and other government entities.
• Oversee the preparation, evaluation, and processing of student account refunds in accordance with Title IV regulations, federal and state law, and college policy.
• Oversee third‑party billings for payment by government entities, employers, and other outside organizations.
• Maintain and update billing tables in the college’s financial system to assure all revenue and expenses are reflected appropriately in the general ledger.
• Utilize discretion in the enforcement and application of college policies, including holds, collections placements, late fees, and policy exceptions.
• Analyze student accounts for accuracy, resolve discrepancies in a timely manner, and ensure the proper posting of all charges and payments.
• Oversee and maintain merchant and payment services, including online and credit card payment systems, ensuring modern processing methods that meet the changing needs of those served.
• Serve as the principal liaison to partners and vendors associated with student accounts and merchant services, including payment processing companies and collections agencies, and act as the principal audit liaison for student financial services.
• Collaborate with enrollment management, financial aid, registrar’s office, housing, student affairs, academic affairs, finance, and other internal departments to ensure student account accuracy and the proper flow of information.
• Using excellent judgment, create systems, structures, and processes to prioritize requests, activities, and workflows in a customer‑friendly manner.
• Facilitate the use of data to inform decision‑making and planning.
• Perform special studies, research, and analysis of financial, student account, AR, and budget matters and provide recommendations for courses of action.
• Partner with the finance team to ensure the timely completion of monthly and year‑end close processes.
• Collaborate with the finance team to manage the college’s accounts receivable program, including billing, processing payments, customer service, and collections.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, local, and institutional laws, policies, and procedures.
• Communicate effectively to students, parents, faculty, staff, partners, and other stakeholders via all communication methods.
• Participate in various college events and committees as assigned.
• Coordinate, with…