Student Accounts And Collections Specialist

Student Accounts and Collections Specialist

Benedictine University is an inclusive academic community, inspired by the Catholic intellectual tradition and Benedictine values. We seek employees who will contribute to the advancement of our mission by helping students shape lives of meaning and purpose as engaged citizens who care for the Earth, welcome people of diverse faiths and cultures, and promote the common good.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Job Title: Student Accounts and Collections Specialist

Department: Administration and Finance/Business Office

Reports to: Accounts Receivable Manager

Position Summary: Acts as point of contact for delinquent student accounts. Assist in the day-to-day activities related to the Business Office and other administrative duties. Handles walk-in, front desk interaction, including phone and email contact with students. Collects payments and assists students with account inquiries.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

1. Collections – initiate contact, send past due account notices and pursue other debt collection techniques to recover debts owed to the University. Identify payment plan delinquencies and notify students. Contact delinquent debtors and attempt payment arrangements. Send delinquent accounts to collection agencies as needed. Coordinate activities between the University’s collection department and collection agencies. Review bankruptcy filings.

2. Customer Service - answer phones and responds to emails for the Business Office. Handles walk-in traffic to the office. Function as a centralized resource to academic and administrative departmental personnel regarding payment matters. Initiate communication and collaborate with departments within the institution to provide excellent customer service.

3. General duties – posts charges/fees, as necessary. Assist with office administrative tasks such as filing and maintaining electronic records. Monitor and remove financial holds and past due holds.

4. Administrative – responsible for all aspects of payment processing, including petty cash reimbursements for faculty and staff as well as processing department receipts for University personnel. Open and close the cashier office. Balance cash drawer and receipts at the end of shift. Prepare bank deposit.

Other Functions:

1. Temporary – assign delinquent Perkins loan to the Department of Education.
2. Provide backup to other Business Office staff as needed.
3. Generate weekly/monthly/annual student account aging reports.
4. Represent the Business Office at new student orientations and/or other campus events.
5. Other duties as assigned.

*
Required Qualifications: *
Education: High school graduate required. Bachelors degree preferred or equivalent amount of experience.

Experience: Over 1 year, preferably within a college or university setting.

Specific Skills: Customer service, data entry, organizational, interpersonal, problem-solving, telephone presence, writing skills, cash-handling experience, database management skills.

Specific Knowledge, Licenses, Certifications: PC, Microsoft Office, Ten-key, financial aid, collection procedures.

Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds.

Use of computer screen, phone and customer service.
May require bending, or sitting for long periods of time. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions: Usual office environment.

Benedictine University does not discriminate in its admissions or educational policies, programs or activities; scholarship and loan programs; athletic and other University administered programs or employment practices on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, military or veteran status, marital status, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The laws applicable to Benedictine University include constitutional and statutory protections of the University's rights as a religiously sponsored institution. This policy of equal employment opportunity applies to all employment and personnel practices including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, promotion, training and compensation.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. Per Gov. Pritzker’s Executive Order proof of vaccination or weekly COVID-19 testing is required.

Benedictine University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Type: Full-time