Accounting Technician I

California State University, Bakersfield•Bakersfield, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Director of Accounting and Reporting, Student Financial Services (SFS), the Student Financial Services Representative is often the first point of contact regarding student accounts receivable. This position provides a wide variety of standard information to students, parents, and the public regarding tuition and fees and student account status. This position identifies and resolves routine issues related to student accounts, and posts charges, credits, and adjustments to student accounts.

Requirements

Equivalent to one (1) year of clerical accounting or financial record-keeping experience which has provided the required knowledge and abilities.
Any combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge and abilities may be considered.
Regular and reliable attendance is required.
Ability to review financial documents for accuracy, completeness, validity, and adherence to standards.
Ability to compute and post numbers rapidly and accurately.
Ability to maintain files and records; identify, trace, and correct errors.
Ability to follow directions; interpret and apply written rules and regulations
Ability to use integrated financial systems and/or other types of records management systems, such as student accounting, cashiering and student financial aid.
Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner.
Thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Ability to interpret, communicate and apply policies and procedures.
Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
Excellent computer skills and competence with a variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, on-line systems, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
Working knowledge of or ability to quickly learn University infrastructure.
Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.
Must be able to work overtime, occasional holidays and adjust working hours to meet special jobs.
May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.

Nice To Haves

Experience in PeopleSoft Student Finance system.
Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment possessing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.

Responsibilities

Assist students, parents, and the public at the Student Financial Services window (in-person), over the phone, and via Zoom, email, and other technology, providing standard information and assistance on forms and processes such as Installment Pay Plan, Miscellaneous Refund Application, Check Stop Payment Request, Petition for Reversal of Fees, and IRS form 1098-T.
Communicate a wide variety of basic information to students, such as student account balance, student account service indicators, tuition and fee rates, payment options, and student refunding.
Help coordinate with Student Financial Services student assistants to ensure delivery of best-in-class customer service.
Ensure signage, website, voicemail greetings, handouts, and other routine information sources are current and correct.
Direct students to the appropriate campus resources based on standard procedures.
Identify and correct routine account discrepancies, referring more complex issues to appropriate higher-level staff or a supervisor.
Accurately post charges and credits to student accounts, following established procedures.
Accurately post corrections to student accounts and reapply payments as needed.
Upload transactions to student accounts via PeopleSoft’s external file load functionality.
Post various standard charges and credits to student accounts, including routine write-offs.
Assist with troubleshooting payment application issues, duplicate charges, etc., referring unresolved problems to higher-level staff or a supervisor.
Place and remove service indicators and post comments to student accounts.
Collect Petition for Reversal of Fee forms, organize documents for monthly Petition Committee meeting, and process forms as needed, based on Petition Committee decisions.
Process returned check and ACH payments according to established procedures.
Actively call students with past due balances.
Create, review, and send standard monthly billing and other account notices.
Run routine reports/queries to monitor accurate processing of student accounts.
Accurately track a variety of departmental processes.
Use spreadsheets to compile statistics and trends.