Accounts Receivable Specialist

Relies on strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize, troubleshoot, and resolve student and sponsor billing issues. Completes work in a timely manner and easily utilizes basic accounting principles.

• Responsible for the hiring, training, evaluation, and supervision of Business Accounting Technician/AR.
• Participates in the hiring, training, evaluation, and supervision of cashiers.
• Manages the entire accounts receivable process.
• Coordinates all student and non-student accounts receivable functions across all four campus sites.
• Regularly reviews cash operation procedures and recommends improvements.
• Works closely with Financial Aid and Admissions staff to ensure there is a concerted and synchronized effort toward student service leading to appropriate and accurate disbursement of student financial aid, scholarships, and refunds.
•  Works to resolve financial aid and student loan issues in a mutually agreeable and timely fashion in compliance with Board policy as well as State and Federal regulations.
• Performs billing for College receivables for student accounts, third-party sponsor accounts, government agency programs, and corporate and community education accounts.
• Processes refunds for canceled classes, withdrawals, financial aid, etc. Determines the student/third party’s eligibility to receive excess funds.
• Follows policies and procedures outlined by FERPA/GLB rules regarding privacy of student information.
• Uses courtesy, discretion, and professionalism in dealing with students, parents, staff, faculty, administration, and third-party or outside agencies.
• Receives and applies cash, check, and credit card payments for tuition, fees, bookstore charges, all miscellaneous payments, student activity payments, and third-party sponsor payments.
• Posts electronic and payment plan payments.
• Serves as the primary liaison with third-party payment center so students can schedule future payments, store payment methods, and view account information.
• Verifies the 1098-T tax information prior to sending file to the contracted vendor.
• Schedules de-registration dates for non-payment in coordination with Student Services and the College administration.
• Applies holds to student accounts for insufficient payments as well as unpaid tuition and fees.
• Prepares daily cash deposits as needed and enters them into Colleague.
• Prepares monthly aged delinquency reports.
• Maintains thorough documentation to ensure that proper financial information is maintained for historical purposes and is in compliance with Federal and State law.
• Completes monthly reconciliation of accounts receivable.
• Posts and reconciles cash receipt sessions from TouchNet or similar software weekly.
• Works with the bookstore manager to input inclusive access fees into Colleague and reconciles final inclusive access numbers. 
• Prepares and invoices dual credit high schools, workforce, and other outside sponsorships.
• Advises and consults with the Chief Financial Officer on the interpretation and application of federal and state laws and regulations as related to student financial services and accounts.
• Takes the lead on  assigned AR related projects, providing data and proposed solutions as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

An associate degree in accounting or a business-related field is required. Minimum of four years of general accounting experience or a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a business-related field, and two years of accounting experience. A working knowledge of basic computer skills and the ability to operate standard office equipment. Experience with Microsoft Office Suite. Excellent oral, written, and customer service skills are required.

Bachelor’s degree in accounting. Experience working in higher education and/or for a nonprofit. Experience using Ellucian Colleague Finance or similar Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software system.

Identifies opportunities for process improvement and efficiency in accounts receivable procedures. Collaborates with team members to implement solutions. Participates in college committees.

Travel may be required to other sites as needed.

Responsibilities are performed in an office setting with frequent interruptions and changes in the workflow/volume at various locations. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet/moderate.