Associate Director of Compliance and Reconciliation

Wilkes University invites applicants for an Associate Director of Compliance and Reconciliation in the Student Financial Service Office. The Associate Director of Compliance and Reconciliation is responsible for providing exemplary customer service while delivering student aid information and counseling to prospective and current students, assuring compliance within federal, state and institutional guidelines. This position is responsible for assisting the Executive Director of Student Financial Services in accomplishing the goals and mission of the University through the reconciliation of financial aid awards and accurate disbursements of federal, state, and institutional funds. Further, while working in collaboration with the Office of Finance, will assist the internal audit process for the purpose of identifying, correcting, and eliminating financial aid over awards.

Job requirements include, but are not limited to:

• Stays abreast of federal and state student financial aid legislation, regulations and sub-regulatory guidance.
• Keeps financial aid colleagues and appropriate University staff updated.
• Ensures the affected units are informed and provides consulting services and training as requested by these units.
• Conducts monthly internal audits in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, the Federal Student Aid Audit Guide, and the Code of Federal Regulations.
• Acts as liaison with auditors during audits and program reviews.
• Minimizes fiscal and legal liability for the University.
• Establishes standards and implements procedures to monitor, detect, prevent, and correct noncompliance with applicable rules and regulations.
• Identifies potential areas of compliance vulnerability and risk.
• Works with affected units to develop and implement corrective action plans for resolution of problematic issues, and provides general guidance on how to avoid or deal with similar situations in the future.
• Manages on-going efforts to ensure the University’s administration of federal, state and institutional rules is in compliance, documented, and up-to-date.
• Develops, oversees, and recommends process improvements to the financial aid office policies and procedures for the retention and disposition of all financial aid records.
• Develops and implements a compliance calendar to provide appropriate oversight and control of enterprise-wide compliance activities.
• As needed and in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies, determines student eligibility for federal, state, and University programs. Awards financial aid funds to students.
• Interprets and applies policies and procedures to ensure consideration of each applicant’s special circumstances.
• Assists with monitoring satisfactory academic progress (SAP) of financial aid recipients.
• Reviews Pell Grant eligibility and adjust awards as appropriate. Approves payments.
• As needed, calculates the amount of funds that must be returned to government and institutional financial aid accounts when a student withdraws from school.
• Fosters high morale within the financial aid office to assure staff job satisfaction and cohesiveness of effort in meeting University and office goals.
• Works closely with the Enrollment Operations members and external software vendor(s) to ensure computer systems compliance with federal regulations.
• Implement and manage policies and procedures manual for Student Financial Service office.
• Execute reports related to record audits, interprets results, delivers analysis and resolutions
• Develops, trains, implements, maintains, and communicates services and programs to relevant stakeholders.
• Ensures compliance with all federal, state, NCAA, and Wilkes University rules and regulations