Accounting Specialist/Payment Plan Coordinator/Head Cashier

SUMMARY

Perform a variety of accounting and Business Office functions requiring independent judgment and accordance with established procedures, including accounts receivable, cashiering, student accounts, and registration activities. Coordinate and maintain the Tuition Payment Plan program. 

Manage daily Business Office operations, including opening and closing the office and ensuring adequate staffing. Serve as an initial point of contact for students and employees, directing inquiries to appropriate Business Office personnel or College departments.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Coordinate and maintain the Tuition Payment Plan program. Maintain and oversee program activities in a timely manner, including, but not limited to, receipt of payments, requests for changes to accounts, updates of the administrative system as needed, reconciliation of accounts. Work closely with Payment Plan vendor and Director-Student Registration and Records as needed.

2. Process daily cash receipts from all sources, including student payments, Continuing Education, Bookstore deposits, and mail-in checks. Participate in student registration activities, including collecting tuition and applicable fees, applying and releasing holds, and processing deregistration. Verify and reconcile daily transactions and related billings.

3. Administer the Business Office change fund, petty cash fund, and other petty cash funds processes, including reconciliations and maintaining cash drawers for use at payment windows.

4. Maintain receipt books and acknowledge, by signature, their return in order to maintain sufficient documentation.

5. Serve as a primary point of contact for students, parents, faculty, and staff regarding cashiering, payment plans, and account inquiries. Research and resolve student and employee questions and concerns. Provide clear written and oral communication to the public. Act as liaison with the collections agency and assist with collection processes as required.

6. Generate a variety of reports for use in the Business Office, Financial Aid, and other areas as required to include general ledger update, daily cash analysis, and monthly cash receipts analysis.

7.Manage, train, and supervise part-time cashiering personnel and Co-op students. Ensure Cashiering Office is effectively staffed. Ensure Co-op students meet measurable learning objectives for the semester.

8. Oversee phone queue. Ensure adequate phone coverage to help make sure the Business Office is meeting its targeted service level.

9. Serve as content manager for the Business Office Website.

10. Maintain a high standard of professionalism in representing the College, including confidentiality in all aspects of the position’s responsibilities and adherence to policies, procedures, and other established guidelines. Adhere to professional accountability and accept responsibility for managing situations and problems. 

11. Work cooperatively with team members and colleagues, contributing positively and constructively to the achievement of team and College objectives, and provide a high level of service to customers by establishing and maintaining effective working relationships and partnerships.

12. Serve on institutional committees as required or assigned; attend staff development as required.

13. Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

MINIMUM EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate degree from a regionally accredited college in accounting, business, or a related field required.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS

• One year’s experience in accounting required.
• Two years’ experience in accounting preferred.  
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, required.
• Ellucian Colleague and Tuition Payment Plan experience preferred.
• Experience supervising support staff personnel preferred.
• Capability to work independently, possess excellent customer service skills, and ability to interact positively with students, faculty, and staff required.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Generally works in a traditional climate-controlled office environment and requires the ability to sit for extended periods. 
• Some walking, standing, and bending required, and the ability to lift and maneuver items weighing up to 15 pounds. 
• Work environment can be stressful at times in dealing with a wide variety of challenges and deadlines. 
• In addition to regular office hours, position sometimes requires overtime and/or evening hours.