Overview:
The Student Account Representative is responsible for the comprehensive management of student accounts—including billing, collections, payment compliance, and account reconciliation—and plays a critical role in maintaining the financial integrity of the institution. The incumbent ensures that all financial transactions adhere to federal, state, and institutional regulations while delivering a consistently high standard of service to students, families, faculty, and staff. This position requires strong analytical abilities, independent judgment, exceptional accuracy, and effective cross-department collaboration, significantly contributing to the University's enrollment operations, cash flow stability, and regulatory compliance.
Responsibilities:
- Student Account Management & Compliance
- Analyze and maintain accurate student billing records, including tuition and fee charges, exemptions, adjustments, and financial aid disbursements
- Ensure all exemptions and contract payments are posted accurately and in a timely manner each term
- Review and reconcile the deposit report to address unreleased deposits after registration
- Ensure all transactions comply with institutional policies, FERPA, Title IV guidelines, Department of Education regulations, and audit standards
- Reconcile student accounts in collaboration with Financial Aid, Registrar, and other university departments to ensure accuracy and timely resolution of discrepancies
- Stay current on changes in financial aid regulations, federal and state policy updates, and institutional procedural changes
- Other duties as assigned
- Collections & Financial Operations
- Perform ongoing review of debit reports and conduct structured outreach to students with outstanding balances, providing clear guidance on payment plans, financing options, and required deadlines
- Monitor and manage past-due accounts; generate, track, document, and escalate past-due notices as required
- Post manual late fees to delinquent student accounts on a monthly basis in accordance with institutional policy
- Review credit reports, calculate refunds, and process student refunds in accordance with institutional and federal regulations, ensuring strict adherence to mandated timelines
- Analyze payment plan reports monthly to identify delinquencies; perform targeted outreach to provide updates and offer solutions
- Analyze accounts prior to registration, ensuring all financial obligations and documentation are satisfied
- Identify accounts requiring exceptions, documentation, or supervisory review and escalate appropriately
- Customer Service & Advising
- Counsel students and families on tuition payment options, account status, payment plans, and financial obligations with professionalism and empathy
- Provide high-quality support through phone, text, email, and walk-in inquiries, ensuring accurate and timely responses
- Collaborate with the Financial Aid Office to explain aid impacts, disbursement timelines, and account adjustments to students
- Collaborate with the Registrar's Office to explain the impact of withdrawals and LOA on account balances to students
- Participation in student online and on-campus Orientations and Registration events Systems, Data Integrity & Administrative Support
- Enter and verify data in Banner and related information systems, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and confidentiality at all times
- Update the comments form in Banner with all communication with and regarding the student and their account, ensuring complete and accurate documentation
- Prepare reports, communications, documentation, and supporting materials for internal departments, audits, and compliance reviews
- Assist with Help Desk inquiries related to billing issues, student account access, and system navigation
- Support process-improvement initiatives to enhance billing accuracy, student satisfaction, operational efficiency, and compliance
Qualifications:
Education/Experience
- Bachelor's degree required; concentration in accounting, finance, business administration, mathematics, or related field strongly preferred.
- Some experience in higher education, finance, accounting, or customer service in a regulated environment is required.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
- Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply complex regulations, policies, and financial procedures.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey financial concepts clearly and professionally.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify trends, resolve discrepancies, and prioritize competing tasks.
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail in financial and data-driven work.
- Customer-centered approach with the ability to work under pressure, de-escalate concerns, and maintain diplomacy in sensitive situations.
- Proficiency with student information systems and online learning platforms such as Banner, Microsoft Office, TouchNet, Tableau, and Adobe Connect preferred.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to collaborate within a matrixed team environment.
- Demonstrated ethical decision-making, sound judgment, and discretion when handling confidential or sensitive information.
Travel
- Travel to the campus several times a week is mandatory.
- Annual meetings are held at NYC headquarters.
Working Conditions
- The Student Account Rep works primarily in a standard office environment with regular business hours, with occasional extended hours required during peak periods such as registration.
- The role involves prolonged periods of sitting, frequent use of a computer, and routine interaction with students, families, and staff both in person and electronically.
Maximum Salary: USD $44,186.00/Yr. Minimum Salary: USD $35,348.00/Yr.