Bursar

The Bursar is a critical member of Southwestern Law School’s Accounting team and is responsible for performing all accounting functions involving student accounts. Key duties include: processing, posting and reconciling all transactions involving tuition and financial aid disbursements, managing cashiering operations and processing and reconciling federal and institutional loan transactions.

The Bursar is the primary point of contact for all student inquiries regarding tuition billings, account balances, payment plan options, etc. and therefore, this position plays a critical role in the communication of important financial information to, and from, Southwestern’s students.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Responsible for all day-to day accounting functions involving student accounts transactions including: processing, posting and reconciling seat deposits, tuition billing, tuition payments, financial aid disbursements, student health insurance payments and loan refunds.
  • Primary point of contact for all student inquiries (current students and graduated alums) regarding tuition billings, account balances, payment plan options, payment processing, refunds processing.
  • Primary point of contact with Southwestern’s loan processor (currently, ECSI) regarding all student loan transactions and required reporting.
  • Manages cashiering operations including: processing of weekly electronic bank deposits for check payments received (tuition payments, fundraising donations) and weekly cash deposits (tuition payments made in person).
  • Prepares and issues email reminders to current students with outstanding balances.
  • Reviews and reconciles past due balances at the conclusion of each term, and works with Registrar regarding placing registration holds on accounts with outstanding balances.
  • Coordinates with I.T. department to prepare and issue all required documents for the annual 1098-T tax reporting process. Responsible for ensuring all critical filing deadlines are met.
  • Works with Director of Financial Aid and the manager of the campus bookstore to reconciles book loan scholarship accounts.
  • Processes electronic data transfers to and from third parties and other departments, with specific regard to accuracy of the student accounting database and compliance with government regulations.
  • Prepares analyses and supporting documentation required for annual financial audits (primary areas of focus include: tuition revenue, accounts receivable, unearned tuition adjustments).
  • Reviews and analyzes Experian Credit History disputes for alumni and deletes credit history for paid accounts, as necessary.
  • Prepares financial reports as requested by the Dean, Chief Financial Officer, Registrar and Director of Financial Aid (most frequently: reports analyzing accounts receivable and tuition delinquencies).
  • Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Minimum Job Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in accounting or related business degree
  • Five plus years of progressive relevant work experience (self-directed accounting/ data management); higher education experience is preferred
  • Strong understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and working knowledge of non-profit fund accounting
  • Experience using complex accounting systems such as “Ellucian Datatel Colleague” or other higher education software system
  • Knowledge of FERPA and Title IV refunding guidelines.
  • Advanced Excel skills including: advanced excel formulas, data manipulation functions, and pivot tables

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

  • Ability to prioritize and effectively handle multiple assignments and projects in a deadline driven environment, and deliver with a high degree of quality on a consistent basis
  • Excellent communication skills with demonstrated ability to convey critical information clearly and effectively with diverse constituencies, skilled with adjusting presentation and language to various audiences.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate sensitive and/or complex information in a confidential and straightforward manner.
  • High level of judgment, discretion, integrity, and confidentiality.
  • Excellent critical thinking and listening skills.
  • Effective and collaborative team player.

Salary Range: $88,000/year

To Apply: For consideration, please submit a cover letter and resume to jobs4@swlaw.edu.

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