Job ID

AF9885 -3012-1701

Position Classification

FT Administrator

Position Summary

The Director of Student Accounting leads a department that provides a critical role in administration and student services. The primary role of the Director of Student Accounting is to maintain the accuracy of student tuition and fee accounts and oversee the billing process to ensure timely and accurate billing statements for students. This position is responsible for overseeing the collection and recording of all university funds for student accounts. The Director of Student Accounting provides leadership, training, and guidance to the SAO team to achieve excellent customer service for students, parents, and internal/external customers. This position provides oversight of the disbursement of student refunds in collaboration with Financial Aid Office and in accordance with US Department of Education guidelines. In collaboration with the Assistant Director of SAO, the Director of Student Accounting acts as the liaison for third-party service providers including Transact Campus for student payments and payment plans and ECSI, servicer for federal loan programs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Direct the operations of the Student Accounting Office and maintain effective policies and procedures to assure the accountability and integrity of student financial records.
2. Manage the student accounts receivable balance and oversee the student delinquent accounts collections. This includes providing reports and other documentation to Finance for aged accounts receivable for write-off consideration and recording bad debt expenses at year end to ensure accurate reporting. Assure collection of delinquent student accounts are effective and in compliance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
3. In conjunction with the Financial Aid Office, maintain procedures for efficient processing of student refunds and assure continuing compliance with federal regulations.
4. In collaboration with the Assistant Director of SAO, act as liaison to ECSI, third-party loan service provider, in the management and oversight of activity relating to Federal Perkins Loans, Federal Nursing Loans, Federal Nurse Faculty Loans, Federal Health Profession Loans, and Institutional Loans. Transfer new loans to ECSI for servicing. Collaborate with Assistant Director and Finance relative to fiscal year end reconciliation of all loan fund balances and ECSI reports as part of the annual audit.
5. Administrator for Transact Campus online student payment platform that integrates with ERP system Banner. In collaboration with Assistant Director of Student Accounting Office and Controller, maintain the Transact Campus system and operator setups.
6. In collaboration with Assistant Director of Student Accounting, Registrar and Finance, maintain and update ERP system tuition rate rules that directly impact student tuition assessment.
7. Ensure compliance with FERPA.
8. Generate annual IRS Form 1098-T data file. In collaboration with IT, complete annual updates as needed for tax compliance.
9. Oversee the management of daily university cash deposits and supporting documentation. Ensure that all cash handling complies with university, state, and federal regulations.
10. Review business practices with a focus on continuous improvement and best practices for efficiency and optimum internal controls.
11. Manage content of Student Accounting Office website.
12. Perform other duties as requested or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or other discipline with demonstrated experience. Master degree preferred. 
• Experience: Minimum five years’ experience in a leadership role, with at least three years’ experience managing student accounts receivable. Demonstrated experience with analysis and interpretation of financial data. Supervisory experience preferred.  
• Managerial Responsibility: This job does have supervisory responsibility.

Preferred Qualifications

The ability to motivate or influence others is a material part of the job, requiring a significant level of diplomacy and trust. Obtaining cooperation (internally and/or externally) is an important part of the job and a high level of interpersonal skills is critical to the success of this position. Work frequently involves contacts requiring considerable discussion of problems, material presentations, and resolving issues impacting departments or divisions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Ability to plan, direct and evaluate a complex operation in support of the mission, vision, and goals of the university.
2. Ability to provide effective leadership in an environment that is always challenging.
3. Ability to manage tasks effectively in an often fast paced environment with heavy focus on proficiency, accuracy, and quality customer service.
4. Effective collaborator successful in building teamwork.
5. Strong work ethic and ability to develop leadership skills.
6. Ability to communicate clearly and professionally.
7. Ability to support management in implementing best business practices and continuous improvement initiatives.
8. Effective at managing multiple tasks simultaneously.
9. Experience in data analysis and problem solving, including skilled aptitude for the analysis and interpretation of accounting and financial data.
10. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of all phases and processes related to a student’s enrollment, from admission to graduation, in order to maximize customer service efficiency.
11. Ability to maintain working knowledge of US Department of Education guidelines for refunding Title IV student financial aid as well as compliance with legal, policy and procedural standards established at the federal, state, and institutional levels.
12. Display solid working knowledge of standard computer applications including MS Word, Excel, and Outlook.
13. Experience in the use of ERP systems and cloud-based platforms.

Physical Requirements

 Job may require lifting light weight objects with no repetitive bending or stooping.

Work Environment

Regular exposure to favorable conditions such as those found in a normal office.

Salary/Pay Information

Commensurate with experience

Anticipated Schedule

Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Michigan’s largest, most comprehensive private University, University of Detroit Mercy is an independent Catholic institution of higher education sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy and Society of Jesus. Detroit Mercy seeks qualified candidates who will contribute to the University’s mission, diversity, and excellence of its academic community. University of Detroit Mercy is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer with a diverse student body and welcomes persons of all backgrounds.