The Third-Party Billing Coordinator is responsible for managing third-party billing and reconciliation processes for student accounts. This position ensures accurate and timely invoicing, payment application, and reconciliation of third-party vendor accounts, including employers, government agencies, military programs, and state-sponsored tuition programs. The role also provides customer service to students and vendors, maintaining compliance with university policies and external funding requirements. The coordinator must exercise independent judgment in resolving non-routine student account and billing issues while maintaining strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
What You'll Do - Position Responsibilities:
Third-Party Billing and Account Management
Set up and maintain third-party contracts in Banner or other student information systems.
Review employer-provided financial authorizations and tuition assistance forms and apply appropriate charges and payments to student accounts.
Process direct invoicing for vendors, military agencies, and other third-party sponsors, ensuring accuracy and compliance with agreements.
Apply payments to vendor accounts and ensure proper allocation of funds.
Accounts Receivable and Reconciliation
Administer accounts receivable for sponsorships, including billing, receipting, and follow-up invoicing.
Monitor and reconcile outstanding balances; follow up via emails, phone calls, and correspondence to resolve discrepancies.
Track and maintain financial records related to third-party billing and sponsorships for audit and reporting purposes.
Customer Service and Vendor Relations
Serve as a primary point of contact for students, vendors, and military agencies regarding third-party billing inquiries.
Provide assistance and guidance to students navigating third-party payment processes.
Maintain positive relationships with external vendors, government agencies, and institutional partners to ensure efficient processing of payments and compliance with third-party agreements.
Compliance and Process Improvement
Learn and navigate multiple third-party online billing and payment portals, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, AmeriCorps, state college savings programs, and other external funding sources.
Ensure sponsorships are processed and billed according to program specifications to prevent delays in payments.
Stay updated on policies, regulations, and best practices for third-party billing in higher education.
Identify process improvements and collaborate with the Student Business Services team to enhance efficiency and accuracy in third-party billing operations.
Other Responsibilities
Assist with special projects and reporting as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director, Business & Treasury.
Key Competencies:
Knowledge:
Knowledge of third-party billing processes and accounts receivable management.
Understanding of higher education financial policies and student billing procedures.
Familiarity with federal and state regulations related to third-party sponsorships, including military tuition assistance and VA education benefits.
Knowledge of student information systems such as Banner or similar platforms.
Understanding of financial reporting, reconciliation, and general accounting principles.
Skills:
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams).
High level of accuracy and attention to detail in data entry and financial transactions.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for interacting with students, vendors, and university staff.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to troubleshoot billing discrepancies and resolve account issues.
Effective time management and ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Abilities:
Ability to provide excellent customer service and maintain professional relationships with external vendors and university stakeholders.
Ability to work independently, exercising sound judgment and discretion in decision-making.
Ability to handle sensitive financial information with confidentiality and integrity.
Ability to learn and navigate multiple third-party billing portals and payment systems.
Ability to collaborate with team members and departments to improve billing processes and efficiency.
Physical Requirements:
Able to lift 25 pounds and be able to perform a variety of physical tasks including lifting, bending, stooping, squatting, stair climbing, and walking between buildings.
Job Conditions:
This position may require occasional evening or weekend work during peak billing cycles.
Who We Are:
Home to more than 17,000 students, Lamar University is among the fastest growing Texas colleges and universities. LU is a member of The Texas State University System, which is the first higher education system of Texas and maintains the lowest average tuition and fees of any university system in Texas. With more than 120-degree options and a community that cares, Lamar students are always proud to be Cardinals. Lamar University strives to educate leaders, demonstrate excellence in student learning and career readiness, and pursue research with relevance.
Lamar University is committed to fostering an environment of teamwork where all students, faculty, and staff can learn, work, and become a part of our community..
Benefits:
Health, dental & vision insurance
Life insurance
State of Texas Retirement plans
Tuition covered at 100% for employees, spouses and/or eligible dependents.
Paid time off - vacation, sick, and holidays.
To see more information about the available benefits, please visit: Benefits - Lamar University Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in business, Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
2 years of experience in billing, accounts receivable, or student financial services
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) and financial software applications.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
Excellent customer service and communication skills, both written and verbal.
Ability to work collaboratively with students, staff, faculty, and external organizations.
Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
EEO Statement:
Lamar University is An Equal Opportunity Employer
Veteran's Preference Statement:
Lamar University is proud to provide employment preference to veteran applicants in accordance with Texas 805 Government Code, Section 657.003.
Preferred Qualifications:
4 years of experience in billing, accounts receivable, or student financial services, preferably in a higher education setting.
Experience working with student information systems such as Banner or similar platforms.
Familiarity with military tuition assistance, VA education benefits, and other third-party payment programs.
Knowledge of federal and state regulations related to student billing and sponsorships.
Security Sensitive Statement:
This position is security-sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information.