Student Accounts Manager

Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included.

Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.

AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples’ lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve.

We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.

We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community.

When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential.

We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits that can be found here .

Position Purpose :

The Student Accounts Manager supports the planning, developing, managing, and administering programs that support the billing and collection of revenue;

as well as cashiering activities related to the receipt and deposit and accounting of university funds. The Student Accounts Manager will serve as a resource to the Director of Student Accounts.

Core Competencies :

Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers, and the community we serve.

Interacts effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and other customers of our service, learns and uses operating practices of the department and Aurora University.

Upholds the Mission Statement : Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning.

As a teaching-centered institution, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful and examined lives.

We empower our students to achieve lasting personal and professional success.

• Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business.
• Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned.

Essential Job Functions :

Manages the operational activities of the Student Accounts office, including the accurate and timely collection of student accounts and accounts receivable.

Responsible for cashier function including the security of funds, proper recording, timely depositing, and reconciliation of cash receipts.

Manages third party invoicing, receipting, communications, and reconciliations. Be a liaison to for the university with key third party organizations.

Collaborates with various university departments to ensure that invoices are accurate and sent out in a timely manner. Communicates closely with students who are partnered with third party organizations.

Supports the Student Accounts Representative / Cashier on accurate receipting of third-party organizations and if needed assists in receipting of funds.

Works with the Business Office to reconcile these accounts monthly.

Manages student refund processes, ensuring compliance with Federal Title IV regulations. Coordinates billing schedule and processes with appropriate offices on campus.

Maintains functional expertise on the Ellucian Colleague Accounts Receivable module. Manages the eBill, ePay, and eRefund processes.

• In collaboration with the director, helps process 1098-T reporting and the timely and accurate submission of information to students and the IRS.
• Evaluates existing business practices in an effort to continuously improve operational effectiveness. Recommends, designs, implements, and analyzes business process improvement efforts.

Coordinates and communicates with other departments to streamline processes and improve internal controls. Maintains documentation of all policies and procedures.

Maintains the content of the Student Accounts office website.

• Develops and maintains an intranet Student Accounts website for staff and faculty to access.
• Enforces and monitors adherence to university internal control policies especially with respect to the timely and accurate receipting, depositing, and accounting for university funds.

Responsible for maintaining accuracy and compliance with university, federal, and state regulations and guidelines including but not limited to FERPA, Title IV, and IRS required filings related to 1098-T.

• Manages and administers TouchNet billing system.
• Produces quantitative and qualitative analysis that provides necessary information for both internal and external reporting requirements and that monitors adherence to various internal control requirements.
• Processes write-offs, bankruptcies, chargebacks, and ACH returns in conjunction with the Student Account Specialist and Director.
• Maintains and completes daily bank deposit and cashiering reports. Audits and analyzes general ledger accounts pertaining to student receivables.

Monitors and processes cashiering batches and feeds into the student financial system.

• Be a back-up to the Student Account Representative / Cashier and Student Account Specialist.
• Any other duties assigned.

Essential Job Requirements :

Education :

Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business, or a related field.

Experience :

• 3-5 years of experience in general accounting and bookkeeping work; or an equivalent combination of training or experience.
• Knowledge of basic accounts receivable accounting is required either through appropriate course work or previous work experience.
• Good knowledge of basic accounting principles and techniques.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accounting records.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Previous data entry experience.
• Previous office work.
• Previous cash handling skills.
• Knowledge of Ellucian Colleague system.
• Basic knowledge of financial aid a plus.
• Basic knowledge of TouchNet.

Skills :

• Strong customer service skills.
• Strong eye for detail.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Excel.
• Word processing skills.
• Knowledge of basic accounting principles, techniques, and terminology.

Physical Requirements :

• Ability to spend long periods of time at a computer work station.
• Ability to move about campus and other locations.
• Minor lifting requirements, such as files or copy paper boxes as needed.
• Ability to use general office equipment.
• Ability to interact in person, via electronic media, and on the telephone.

Benefit-eligible positions offer excellent benefits including health, dental, life, vision, long term disability, a 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA, and tuition remission.

To apply, please send resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references including name, telephone, and email address.

Aurora University

Human Resources

347 South Gladstone Ave

Aurora, IL 60506

[email protected] - email

Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.