Student Accounts Assistant Director – Division of Finance (Banner and Banner Sponsor Payment Functionality Experience is Preferred)
Manages Student Account functions including student billing / tuition and fee assessment, issuing student Ebills using Penn.Pay; leads prompt outreach to students with outstanding balances; reviews tuition liability cases and adjust accounts as appropriate; scrutinizing disbursements of all financial aid and scholarship programs; manage in concert with direct report staff timely request of student refunds; manage Federal forms such as 1098T, producing, disseminating and responding to student inquiries; works closely with the staff to maximize revenue for the University.
Triages and manages questions for Financial Aid, Registrar, etc. delivering direct support to students and parents regarding financial planning, aid eligibility, educating students about their financial obligations to the University as well as the appropriate financial resources available to them; exercises sound judgment and sensitivity when interacting with students, parents, faculty, staff and other internal and external stakeholders; understands policies and procedures particularly ensuring satisfactory resolution of problems escalated to the administrative level.
Role will directly supervise/manager the 3rd Party Sponsor Payment and Student Account teams. Supervises, guides, and leads a diverse group of Student Accounts Representatives professionals in partnership with SRFS leadership team. Partners with Student Accounts/SRFS leadership team in the hiring and evaluation of staff and aligning leadership approach and supervision with Penn’s policies and values; oversees the continued training of current staff members as well as the training and onboarding of any new employees to the Student Account team; has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, termination, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees in accordance with Penn’s policies.
Works closely with the Director of Student Accounts to ensure consistent transfer of knowledge when resolving operational issues as they arise, quality control and auditing mechanisms are in place to investigate accordingly; recommends improvements to better utilize staff, processes and communications/publications to guarantee consistency with department objectives and activities; analyzing business procedures, identifying and implementing changes to enhance customer service, efficiency and effectiveness for a diverse population of students, faculty, staff, outside agencies, and serving as our liaison to internal departments.
In partnership with the Student Accounts/SRFS leadership team participates in the planning, development and implementation of intra/interdepartmental initiatives, maintains liaison activities and directs the coordination with other divisions, departments, or agencies to advance cooperative projects and/or programs designed to contribute to division goals and objectives, ensuring that procedural activities are smoothly integrated and designed to improve or expand educational programs and activities.
Evaluates, and updates all information communicated on our Student Registration and Financial Services web page for accuracy, ease of search topics, user friendly reading and understanding; ensuring compliance and consistency with all Federal, State, and University regulations related to student account issues; consults with department staff to provide procedural and interpretation support.
Serves on various standing committees as needed and acts on behalf of the Director’s position as needed; supports the Director of Student Accounts in handling all administrative and accounting duties within the Office of Student Accounts; monitors monthly reporting and compliance with Federal, State and University regulations.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Advanced Responsibilities:
Analyze current business processes and make suggestions to utilize various technological tools to help improve business processes
Project management skills demonstrating usage of financial principles and internal controls/
Apply working knowledge of A/R technology systems using various technologies like TouchNet etc. Strong customer orientation while using diplomacy and discretion in all interactions.
Develops and implements new initiatives/projects/programs that support Student Accounts efficiency and ensures compliance with rules and regulations that govern federal, state and institutional student aid programs, privacy of data, taxation, etc.
Job Description Summary
This leadership role manages and controls the monthly student billing process (250K bills and $1.5B annually) supporting Penn and various stakeholders across the organization. The role is responsible for controlling cash and other payments ($750M annually) received for University charges and directly supervising/managing staff and operational workflows within the department, accounting, reporting and data requirements.
The role will develop and provide reports to management and the Penn community to identify financially at-risk students. Monitors IT productions schedule and schedule Banner AR jobs as required. Identify Banner AR technical problems and coordinate with Finance IT and Penn ISC for resolution. Manages multiple ‘hold’ processes, coordinating system processes and communication to students and Penn community. Manages 1098T and 1042S tax processes. Develops communication plan for student account payment options including international wires, monthly payment plan and refund production. Vendor liaison with TouchNet, Heartland/ECSI, PayMyTuition, Flywire. Maintain personal proficiency and provide training to staff and Penn community on SRFS and university AR policies and procedures, operating software and job tasks.
Provide ongoing feedback, coaching and direction to staff in the department and consistently reflect the leadership behaviors and competencies of the University.
In the Division of Finance, we recognize diversity and inclusion is paramount to a positive and thriving work environment; it is a business imperative. We are committed to actively fostering diversity, inclusion and cultural competency throughout our operational efforts in the Division of Finance. This role will be critical in supporting those efforts and demonstrating behaviors and competencies that reflect Penn’s values.
We take pride in the myriad ways that diversity enriches our curriculum, and the cultural and social life of our campus. Penn’s commitment to achieving eminence through diversity is ultimately a commitment to creating a more vibrant university so that our graduates will be both stimulated and empowered to shape a better world.
University of Pennsylvania
Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in accounting, finance, or related business discipline. Proven leadership skills in managing, coaching, providing day-to-day direction, training and orientation to a diverse team of staff. Willingness and motivation to develop short-term and long-term coaching and development plans for direct report staff to enhance performance and meet/exceed departmental goals. Minimum of 5 years' experience in the Office of Bursar, Student Accounts division. Established experience in Banner, or a similar system, student accounts receivable as it relates to assessment/billing, application of payment, on-line gateways, 1098-T, 1042S, collections, data entry Ability to manage a high-volume workload within a deadline driven environment. Strong organizational skills, the ability to creatively problem solve, the ability to multi-task and manage deadlines. Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal skills in order to effectively interact with staff, students, parents, and other related parties. Demonstrated ability to be detail-oriented and accurate. Able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Demonstrated organizational and prioritization skills, along with the ability to work within tight and often conflicting deadlines. Must be flexible, show effective judgement, discretion and have the ability to handle confidential financial matters. Work effectively in a highly matrixed and decentralized environment with the ability to navigate through ambiguity and demonstrate appreciation and support for diversity, inclusion and belonging in a constantly evolving academic/higher education environment. Preferred Qualifications: Demonstrated knowledge of project budgeting and fiscal management. Strong financial, analytical, and modeling skills. Experience with the University of Pennsylvania financial systems preferred. Advanced user skills with Excel and other Microsoft programs and computer systems. Demonstrated expertise using Banner to improve and automate business processes within the Bursar or Cashier’s office at a college or university Demonstrated functional experience using the Fee Assessment tools in Banner Ability to troubleshoot technical and functional issues within Banner
until filled
yes
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