Student Account Specialist

Student Account Specialist

Virginia Highlands Community College (VHCC), located in the heart of the Appalachian region, seeks a Student Account Specialist to serve as a key member of the Business Office. The role involves managing student funds, processing financial aid, handling third‑party billing, reconciling and reporting student financial transactions, and consistently delivering excellent customer service to students, staff, and other stakeholders.

• Student account management: collaborate with Financial Aid staff each semester to process aid payments, balance checks, and bookstore charges; prepare tuition and fee invoices; create back‑out list; set up student financial system tables.
• Funds management: collect, process, and balance State and Federal funds, ensuring receipts are credited to the correct accounts.
• Financial aid and third‑party billing: handle sponsor invoicing, apply payments (including Chapters 31 & 33), and update student accounts.
• Financial reconciliation & reporting: reconcile financial aid, third‑party billing, and general accounting entries; perform regular balancing between disbursement reports and the general ledger; investigate and resolve variances.
• Nelnet coordination: collaborate with Nelnet to manage student payment plans, resolve expired refund check issues, and ensure timely posting of payments.
• Customer service: answer phone calls; communicate regularly with internal and external customers using strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Student support: advise students on tuition, billing, and payment inquiries.
• Office support: cover the business office cashier and assist with additional duties as needed.

• Demonstrated ability to research, analyze, reconcile, and evaluate financial and operational data.
• Proficiency with financial transactions reconciliation, data integrity across student information systems.
• Advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Cash handling, basic math, and data processing with compliance to state rules and regulations.
• Strong professional communication with customers, colleagues, and cross‑functional teams.
• Excellent organizational and multitasking skills to manage competing priorities and meet academic and fiscal deadlines.
• Preferred – associate’s degree in a related field or equivalent work experience.

The role requires routine office skills and the physical and cognitive abilities needed to perform daily responsibilities effectively.

The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, political affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other non‑merit factors.