Collections Specialist

CSU Careers • Fresno, CA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Office of Student Accounts is seeking a detail-oriented and knowledgeable Collection Specialist to manage comprehensive collections activities and support student financial success. In this role, you will take ownership of past-due portfolios, proactively engaging with students via phone and email to resolve outstanding balances and establish structured payment plans. The ideal candidate brings strong collections experience to balance professional, empathetic student outreach with firm account resolution, while also coordinating directly with outside collection agencies to manage escalated accounts.

Requirements

• Comprehensive knowledge of financial record-keeping, mathematical, and general office methods, procedures, and practices.
• Basic knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, internet and email applications, and integrated electronic financial, cashiering, key-card, or records-management systems.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply relevant regulations, policies, procedures, and privacy requirements, including FERPA and applicable CSU executive orders.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment; anticipate conditions; establish priorities; and meet deadlines.
• Ability to review financial documents and transactions for accuracy, completeness, validity, authorization, and adherence to standards.
• Ability to compute and post figures rapidly and accurately; maintain files and records; and identify, trace, investigate, and correct errors and discrepancies.
• Ability to interpret and apply written rules, regulations, accounting procedures, and university policies to accounting and customer-service issues.
• Ability to use initiative and sound judgment in analyzing information, determining a course of action, resolving unusual problems, and making recommendations.
• Ability to devise new methods, develop procedures, and modify and document established procedures based on precedent and university policies.
• Ability to communicate clearly, accurately, concisely, and professionally, both verbally and in writing, including information requiring extensive interpretation.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service, listen effectively, de-escalate difficult situations, and maintain a professional, service-oriented approach.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, coworkers, campus partners, external agencies, vendors, and members of the public from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to historically minoritized groups and support equitable, culturally responsive, service-oriented practices.
• Ability to work closely with Technology Services, end users, and internal customers to support system and data integrity, upgrades, enhancements, and issue resolution.
• Ability to provide training, technical assistance, and work direction to other employees and student assistants.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, maintain confidentiality, and perform accurately amid interruptions and changing priorities.
• Any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities.
• Equivalent to four years of progressively responsible financial record-keeping experience that has provided the required knowledge and abilities.
• Experience working with integrated electronic systems and/or cashiering, key-card, financial, or records-management systems.
• Experience preparing reports, spreadsheets, reconciliations, and financial analyses.
• Customer-service experience, including interpreting university policies and regulations for students, faculty, staff, and the public.

Nice To Haves

• Experience using PeopleSoft Finance, Cashnet, or comparable computerized accounting and cashiering systems.
• Collections, student-account, sponsor-billing, loan-administration, or cashiering experience.
• Two or more years of college coursework with an accounting emphasis.
• California State University, higher-education, or other governmental experience.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.
• Working knowledge of databases, queries, and reporting tools.
• Supervisory, lead, or training experience.
• Demonstrated history of providing excellent customer service.

Responsibilities

• Manage comprehensive collections activities and support student financial success.
• Take ownership of past-due portfolios.
• Proactively engage with students via phone and email to resolve outstanding balances and establish structured payment plans.
• Coordinate directly with outside collection agencies to manage escalated accounts.
• Prepare and analyze reconciliations, complex spreadsheets, reports, queries, and technical correspondence efficiently and accurately.
• Work extended hours during registration, payment deadlines, year-end processing, and other peak periods.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision plans
• Membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)
• Sick and vacation time
• 15 paid holidays a year
• Fee waiver education program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed