Director, Student Account Services - 999724

Department Summary:

The Finance division consists of the finance and accounting administrative functions of the University and includes the offices of Accounting, Treasury and Endowment Management, Budgeting, Student Accounts, Payroll, and the Student Financial Aid Office. The Director of Student Account Services oversees the Student Account Services office and reports to the Assistant CFO/Controller. The primary function of the Student Account Services office is to assess, bill, and collect all tuition and related educational fees from students at Drake University.

Job Summary:

The Director of Student Account Services serves as a leader in Drake’s finance function and oversees the Student Account Services function. The Director of Student Account Services manages and develops a staff of 3. The Director of Student Account Services ensures fiscal integrity for Drake through the assessment, billing, and collection of all tuition and related educational fees, which is the majority of Drake’s revenues.

The Director of Student Account Services is tasked with a diverse set of operational and financial duties:
• Manage and oversee the operations of Student Account Services, including supervision of Student Account staff. Execute and monitor assessment, billing, and collection of tuition and related educational fees. Ensure accuracy of student account receivable records. Oversee collections of outstanding student account receivable and loan balances, including student contacts, internal payment plans, and collection agency placements. Regularly correspond with customers regarding student accounts and seek to promote financial literacy.
• Manage and oversee the operations of the Cashier's office, including supervision of Cashier staff. Ensure acceptable cash controls and cash handling policies and procedures. Manage the University's merchant services and assist with monitoring of related PCI compliance requirements.
• Prepare journal entries for entry into the general ledger system by collecting necessary data and preparing appropriate documentation to support the journal entries. Reconcile assigned account balances and verify propriety of postings and classifications. Review and approve journal entries and account reconciliations prepared by staff and other departments. Research and correct account discrepancies as needed. Analyzes financial data and prepares various reports for senior management. Assists with annual audit work papers.
• Manage billing and collection processes for non-student accounts receivable. Monitor receivable balances and place accounts with collection agency placements as necessary. Regularly correspond with customers regarding non-student accounts.
• Foster relationships across campus to enhance collaboration of system integrations, operational improvements, and other campus-wide initiatives. Provides support for software products used within or integrated with the Student Accounts Service and Cashier offices. Serves as system administrator for Banner AR and TouchNet. Assist in the testing of system enhancements and improvements. Troubleshoots and researches system issues.
• Establish and administer policies and procedures related to student accounts and non-student accounts receivable to ensure compliance with University, federal and state regulations and guidelines. Responsible for generation of annual IRS Form 1098-T statements, IRS Form 1042 statements, and other relevant compliance reporting.

The Director of Student Account Services will have the opportunity to significantly influence the successful implementation of Workday’s Student systems with implementation beginning in early fall 2026. The Director of Student Account Services reports to the Assistant CFO/Controller. The Director of Student Account Services is expected to support the University Continuous Improvement Plan initiatives and live out the University Core Values.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 2-3 years of progressive financial management experience
• Experience in billing, collections, or accounts receivable management
• Exceptional Microsoft Excel and general computer skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with others
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or similar field of study
• Experience with Workday or similar ERP systems
• Experience within higher education or not-for-profit environments

Job Duties:

• 35% - Manage and oversee the operations of Student Account Services, including supervision of Student Account staff. Execute and monitor assessment, billing, and collection of tuition and related educational fees. Ensure accuracy of student account receivable records. Oversee collections of outstanding student account receivable and loan balances, including student contacts, internal payment plans, and collection agency placements. Regularly correspond with customers regarding student accounts and seek to promote financial literacy. - (Essential)
• 20% - Manage and oversee the operations of the Cashier's office, including supervision of Cashier staff. Ensure acceptable cash controls and cash handling policies and procedures. Manage the University's merchant services and assist with monitoring of related PCI compliance requirements. - (Essential)
• 15% - Prepare journal entries for entry into the general ledger system by collecting necessary data and preparing appropriate documentation to support the journal entries. Reconcile assigned account balances and verify propriety of postings and classifications. Review and approve journal entries and account reconciliations prepared by staff and other departments. Research and correct account discrepancies as needed. Analyzes financial data and prepares various reports for senior management. Assists with annual audit work papers. - (Essential)
• 10% - Manage billing and collection processes for non-student accounts receivable. Monitor receivable balances and place accounts with collection agency placements as necessary. Regularly correspond with customers regarding non-student accounts. - (Essential)
• 10% - Foster relationships across campus to enhance collaboration of system integrations, operational improvements, and other campus-wide initiatives. Provides support for software products used within or integrated with the Student Accounts Service and Cashier offices. Serves as system administrator for Banner AR and TouchNet. Assist in the testing of system enhancements and improvements. Troubleshoots and researches system issues. - (Essential)
• 10% - Establish and administer policies and procedures related to student accounts and non-student accounts receivable to ensure compliance with University, federal and state regulations and guidelines. Responsible for generation of annual IRS Form 1098-T statements, IRS Form 1042 statements, and other relevant compliance reporting. - (Essential)
• 0% - Perform other duties as assigned. - (Essential)

Salary and Benefits: