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Director of Student Account Services

University of Montana / Helena College / University of Montana Western

Missoula, MT

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JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$100,000–$110,000 Per Year
SKILLS
Accounting, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Receivable Processing, Analysis Skills, Background Investigation, Banking Operations, Billing, Business Services, Credit and Collections, Customer Support/Service, Disciplinary Action, English Language, Enterprise Applications, Establish Priorities, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Federal Laws and Regulations, Finance, Finance Software, Financial Accounting, Financial Aid, Financial Literacy, Financial Reporting, Financial Statements, Funding, General Ledger Accounting, Higher Education, Interpersonal Skills, Leadership, Loan Servicing, Mail Processing, Maintain Compliance, Mentoring, Microsoft Access Database, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Multitasking, Negotiation Skills, Operations Management, Organizational Skills, PC Software, People Management, Performance Reviews, Pivot Tables, Policy Development, Policy Implementation, Problem Solving Skills, Procedure Development, Procedure Implementation, Project/Program Management, Reconciliation, Registrar, Regulations, Resolve Customer Issues, Resource Management, Retention Programs, State Laws and Regulations, Student Financial Services, Student Services, Third-Party Payer, Time Management, Treasury, Tuition Fees, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Vlookups
LOCATION
Missoula, MT
POSTED
4 days ago
Salary: $100,000.00 - $110,000.00 Annually
Location : Missoula Mountain Campus
Job Type: Contract Professional Full-time
Job Number: 202400575
Department: Business Services, University of Montana
Opening Date: 01/28/2026
FLSA: Exempt

Description

ZRG has been engaged to recruit the Director of Student Account Services. The Director of Student Account Services oversees the Student Account Services functions of the University of Montana, including the payment phase of the registration process and application of all financial aid which requires experience administering student accounts and knowledge of FERPA.

The Director of Student Account Services develops and implements policy regarding student accounts and is responsible for all areas of the University's Student Accounts Receivable system. As a critical integrated service area of the University, the Director of Student Accounts position requires working cooperatively and collaboratively with many various personnel and departments across the University of Montana to maximize a positive student experience, financial performance, creativity, and problem solving, to achieve the best possible results.
Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

  • The Director of Student Account Services manages Student Accounts, Student Accounts Receivable Collections, Cashiering, and other Accounts Receivable functions and interacts with students, faculty and other employees as well as external funding entities to help ensure procedures are streamlined, efficient and meet university standards.
  • Collaborates with financial aid, registrar and other offices to resolve issues with student accounts in a timely fashion, especially during high volume times of the year.
  • Works in conjunction with financial aid with the Return of Title IV funds for federal financial aid funds, and ensuring student refunds are accurate and timely and in accordance with all local, state and federal regulations.
  • Reviews financial accounting reports to ensure accuracy and timeliness of student account transactions; oversees the student appeal process (including updates to student accounts); monitors student account charge-offs and oversees activities with the student account payment plans.
  • Responsible for hiring, disciplinary actions, mentoring, evaluating and supervising the Associate Director of Student Accounts, Student Accounts Specialists and Treasury Staff. Additionally, The Director of Student Account Services provides oversight and leadership for their employees. The Director of Student Account Services evaluates performance of the individuals supervised, as well as the team as a whole.
  • The Director of Student Account Services is responsible for the following supervisory, policy and other responsibilities:
  • Supervising and reviewing the functions related to the cash receivables of the University including, but not limited to, student accounting and third party payment transactions;
  • Supervising and reviewing the function and performance of staff and activities within Student Account Services;
  • Assists with the development and implementation of policies and procedures;
  • Supervising the certification of students who qualify for legislatively established tuition and fee exemptions;
  • Reconciling general ledger accounts that include student receivables;
  • Supervising the daily operation of bank deposits;
  • Ensuring employees are trained in the areas of student financials and accounts receivable/billing processing;
  • Coordinating with external cash processing vendors on student payment plans and preparing reconciliation to student receivables;
  • Preparing and discussing employee reviews and planning;
  • Assist in the preparation of various financial reports and statements;
  • Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in business, finance or related field;
  • Five or more years of experience at a similar institution of higher education;
  • Management and supervisory experience in a finance/customer service environment;
Required Skills
  • Knowledge of complex integrated enterprise resource management software such as Ellucian/Banner Finance, Ellucian/Banner Student, and other Ellucian products to produce accurate billing statements and provide excellent student support;
  • Knowledge and experience with ECSI loan servicing system;
  • Knowledge of PC software (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint) Including advanced Excel skills, such as Vlookup, Index, Pivot Tables;
  • Experience with an third-party payment tool, such as Touchnet or Nelnet ePayment;
  • Experience with implementing student retention strategies;
  • Knowledge of IRS rules to supervise/generate and distribute form 1098-T to students.
Preferred Skills
  • Aptitude for interpreting and communicating financial data to individuals from a non-financial background;
  • Successful experience managing multiple projects and priorities proactively;
  • Analytical and problem solving skills;
  • Proficient in preparing, formatting, and reviewing business correspondence and reports, including publicly published materials (i.e. website, catalog);
  • Possess highly developed interpersonal, communication, presentation and organizational skills and the ability to draw from experience in creating creative solutions to meet the University's objectives and serve students while maintaining compliance with applicable rules and regulations;
  • Ability to treat sensitive information with discretion, demonstrate tact and diplomacy possess excellent negotiation skills, and be able to make decisions supported by policy;
  • Highly developed ability to prioritize and arrange job assignments;
  • Excellent analytical and problem solving skills;
  • Proficient in oral and written English communications;
  • Ability to work independently and meet deadlines or as part of a team, and be adaptable to changing job requirements and deadlines;
  • Student-centered focus and work ethic;
  • Ability to actively foster a respectful, positive work environment that welcomes all persons;
  • Demonstrated interest in developing financial literacy skills among students.


Additional Information
Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, MUS Contract and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.
Application Instructions
Please apply through LinkedIn:

The Affiliation of the University of Montana (UM Affiliation) is an equal opportunity employer. UM Affiliation does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of protected class status as described in UM's non-discrimination policy and any applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. Qualified candidates may request veterans' or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the offer of employment. In accordance with university regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.

References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. UM partners with SkillSurvey for reference checking. Applicants may receive emails from SkillSurvey to submit reference information.

Testing: Individual hiring departments within the UM Affiliation may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM and all affiliated campuses, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9). The University of Montana will require proof of authorization to work in the United States before final hiring. Due to the September 19, 2025 Presidential Proclamation and related guidance from USCIS and the Department of State, the University may be limited in its ability to offer H-1B sponsorship. At this time, we are unable to sponsor new H-1B visas that require payment of the additional fee introduced by the Proclamation.
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About the Company

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University of Montana / Helena College / University of Montana Western