STUDENT ACCOUNTS SPECIALIST

INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN INDIAN &•Santa Fe, NM

About The Position

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES Reporting to the Financial Aid Director, this position provides students with exemplary customer service and assistance regarding charges and/or credits to their student accounts. This position also reports revenues and completes accounting functions according to established policies and procedures and as directed by the Financial Aid Director and Dean of Students, with high interface and collaboration with the Finance & Accounting department. ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS Provide IAIA students with exemplary customer service and assistance regarding charges and credits to their account. Keep students informed of their balances owed or refundable. Supervise all billing and collections on delinquent accounts with diplomacy and decisiveness. Provide in-depth guidance and creatively solve problems related to student account billing, statements, and other financial transactions, including payments. Process and maintain assigned Financial Aid Office related assignments (routine and non-routine). Respond to all student inquiries related to account billing thoroughly and concisely by working closely with students, staff and parents, as well as responding to questions about student charges, financial aid awards, and status of student accounts. Develop and maintain constructive and cooperative working relationships with students, staff, and faculty. Assist students with making financial arrangements for satisfactory payments. Create outstanding balance reports for Financial Aid Director and the Finance Services Department Mail collection letters (if appropriate for response) within a designated deadlines/timelines. Assist FAO Director and FAO Advisor in contacting students for FAO matters via fax, phone, and email as assigned/required. · Keep students informed of their balances owed or refundable, which includes but is not limited to the following: Maintain orderly records of all student account information and ensure compliance of all records. Maintain current data on all student account activity. Complete all necessary adjustments to student accounts in a timely manner. Complete timely and accurate recording and verification of student charges, Financial Aid awards and other student related expenditures and payments. Maintain student account activity current. Compile, code, categorize, calculate, tabulate, audit and verify all student account information and data on a regular and/or assigned basis. · Supervise all student account records, billing and collections of delinquent accounts with diplomacy and decisiveness, which includes but is not limited to the following: Investigate and collect information on delinquent accounts and negotiate reasonable repayment solutions while preserving the goodwill and understanding of students and parents to the greatest extent possible. Submit accounts to assigned collection agency when necessary. Respond to all inquiries regarding past due accounts and follow up as necessary to ensure prompt payment. Complete third party payments invoices in a timely and accurate manner. Add late fees, restriction holds and notices to students’ accounts as needed. Interact with external auditors and participate in audit projects. Transmit and download financial aid funds to student accounts. Serve as liaison with Financial Services Department. · Other duties as assigned which are not limited to but may include: Supervise student employees (and/or work-study students). Process financial paperwork and submit forms in accordance with the IAIA Accounting Policies and Procedures. Maintain an Excel database for department and project budgets. Process the IRS 1098 for student accounts on an annual basis. Serve on assigned IAIA committees, such as Finance Services Committee, Emergency Planning, annual Pow Wow, etc. Other routine and non-routine duties as assigned/required by FA Director and Dean of Students via FA Director.

Requirements

Ability to maintain pleasant, positive, cooperative, and high customer service manner and approach at all times.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally, particularly in the area of delinquent accounts and/or collections.
Ability to negotiate payment plans with students, parents or other interested parties within guidelines established by the Director of Finance, monitor payment performance.
Ability to collaborate effectively with collection agencies to recover delinquent accounts from uncooperative debtors.
Ability to respond to students and other parties regarding questions on student charges, awards and status of student account.
Must possess the ability to be flexible and creative in resolve problems for students so as to achieve win-win solutions for the students and IAIA.
Demonstrated skill and willingness to “go the extra mile” to provide excellent student-centric service.
Ability to resolve differences in a transparent, honest, constructive and ethical manner.
Ability to organize, prioritize and maintain accurate detailed records.
Ability to maintain composure and effectiveness when interacting with individuals who may be argumentative, hostile or difficult.
Ability to analyze and evaluate information to choose best overall solution.
Adhere to appropriate standards of conduct and ethics, including: confidentiality integrity honesty compliance with management directives exhibit the ability to adapt to changing work environments cooperate and work respectfully with others participate in pro-active problem solving participate in meetings as required.
Ability to work effectively and efficiently in an independent manner (or as assigned).
Hands-on knowledge of basic accounting principals to include accounts payable/ receivables, account statements and statement preparation.
Hands-on knowledge of basic federal, state, institutional and general financial aid principals.
Strong knowledge of Excel and other Office software is required and experience with student accounting systems, is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide IAIA students with exemplary customer service and assistance regarding charges and credits to their account.
Keep students informed of their balances owed or refundable.
Supervise all billing and collections on delinquent accounts with diplomacy and decisiveness.
Provide in-depth guidance and creatively solve problems related to student account billing, statements, and other financial transactions, including payments.
Process and maintain assigned Financial Aid Office related assignments (routine and non-routine).
Respond to all student inquiries related to account billing thoroughly and concisely by working closely with students, staff and parents, as well as responding to questions about student charges, financial aid awards, and status of student accounts.
Develop and maintain constructive and cooperative working relationships with students, staff, and faculty.
Assist students with making financial arrangements for satisfactory payments.
Create outstanding balance reports for Financial Aid Director and the Finance Services Department
Mail collection letters (if appropriate for response) within a designated deadlines/timelines.
Assist FAO Director and FAO Advisor in contacting students for FAO matters via fax, phone, and email as assigned/required.
Maintain orderly records of all student account information and ensure compliance of all records.
Maintain current data on all student account activity.
Complete all necessary adjustments to student accounts in a timely manner.
Complete timely and accurate recording and verification of student charges, Financial Aid awards and other student related expenditures and payments.
Maintain student account activity current.
Compile, code, categorize, calculate, tabulate, audit and verify all student account information and data on a regular and/or assigned basis.
Investigate and collect information on delinquent accounts and negotiate reasonable repayment solutions while preserving the goodwill and understanding of students and parents to the greatest extent possible.
Submit accounts to assigned collection agency when necessary.
Respond to all inquiries regarding past due accounts and follow up as necessary to ensure prompt payment.
Complete third party payments invoices in a timely and accurate manner.
Add late fees, restriction holds and notices to students’ accounts as needed.
Interact with external auditors and participate in audit projects.
Transmit and download financial aid funds to student accounts.
Serve as liaison with Financial Services Department.
Supervise student employees (and/or work-study students).
Process financial paperwork and submit forms in accordance with the IAIA Accounting Policies and Procedures.
Maintain an Excel database for department and project budgets.
Process the IRS 1098 for student accounts on an annual basis.
Serve on assigned IAIA committees, such as Finance Services Committee, Emergency Planning, annual Pow Wow, etc.
Other routine and non-routine duties as assigned/required by FA Director and Dean of Students via FA Director.