The Assistant Director of Student Accounting plays a critical role in overseeing the financial operations and compliance of the student accounts office. This position supports the Associate Director of Student Accounting by providing leadership, strategic oversight, and enhanced program management in areas such as student account reconciliation, third-party programs, payment plans, collections, and overall processing. The Assistant Director will work closely with various campus departments to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant student account processes while also identifying areas for continuous improvement. This position requires a strong blend of technical accounting skills, leadership capabilities, and a commitment to excellent student service. The Assistant Director will act as a resource for staff, students, and families, and will contribute to programmatic improvements to enhance the student financial experience. This is a full-time hybrid role with a minimum of two required days at Excelsior's home office of 7 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY, with the remainder of the days worked from home.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Program Oversight & Financial Operations:
Oversee and manage key programs related to student accounts, including third-party billing, payment plans, and collections, ensuring efficient and compliant operations.
Serve as a liaison between the Student Accounting department and other areas such as Financial Aid, Registrar, and Student Services to ensure seamless coordination and accurate processing of student accounts.
Collaborate with the Associate Director to develop and implement new strategies or programs aimed at improving the financial services experience for students and families.
Assist with the development of policies and procedures to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of student account management.
Leadership & Staff Support:
Provide support and guidance to the Student Accounts team, helping with inquiries and payment-related issues.
Participate in continuous professional development
Compliance & Regulatory Oversight
Ensure compliance with institutional policies, as well as federal, state, and local regulations governing financial transactions and student accounts.
Stay up to date with changes in financial aid policies, payment processing standards, and federal regulations that affect student accounts.
Monitor student account compliance with institutional financial policies, including managing financial holds and ensuring timely collections of overdue balances.
Customer Service & Stakeholder Engagement
Serve as a primary point of contact for students, parents, and other stakeholders regarding account inquiries, billing discrepancies, and payment concerns.
Provide clear and timely communication to students regarding account balances, payment deadlines, and available financial support programs, maintaining the highest level of student service.
Work to proactively address student concerns and provide resolutions, fostering positive relationships with the campus community.
Process Improvement & Innovation
Continuously evaluate and recommend improvements to student account processes and systems, with a focus on increasing efficiency, accuracy, and student satisfaction.
Identify opportunities to streamline payment processing, collections, and account reconciliation functions, leveraging technology and best practices.
Collaborate with the Associate Director to implement new tools, technologies, or systems that improve student account management and reporting processes.Additional Duties:
Assist the Associate Director with special projects, departmental initiatives, and cross-functional collaboration with other campus departments.
Fill in as needed to ensure the ongoing operations of the Student Accounting office, including handling escalated account issues, payment processing, and collections.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Associate Director or leadership team.
Required Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
A bachelor's degree from an accredited university is required.
At least 1 year of experience in student accounts, accounting, finance, or a related area, preferably within a higher education institution.
Knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting, and student financial services.
High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively communicate complex financial concepts to students, parents, and staff.
Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
A student-centric approach with a focus on providing clear, empathetic, and timely support to students and their families.
Ability to work collaboratively with multiple departments and stakeholders across the institution.
Preferred Qualifications:
Familiarity with federal financial aid regulations, compliance requirements, and financial aid integration with student accounts.
The hiring salary range for this position is $51,000.00 - $55,000.00. The hiring salary range above represents the University's good faith estimate at the time of posting.
Application Information
If you have problems with online submission, please call 518-608-8270.
Excelsior University offers competitive compensation and a generous benefits package that includes paid time off, retirement, and excellent health insurance. Interested candidates should submit a letter of application, resume, and the names of three professional references. Please submit requested information by clicking the Apply Now button on this page.
Excelsior University is an equal opportunity employer committed to ensuring all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to any legally protected characteristic.
AA/EOE/ADA
Excelsior University is an equal opportunity employer committed to ensuring all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to any legally protected characteristic.
