Student Accounts Analyst

The Student Accounts Analyst serves as a liaison between the Office of Student Accounts, Information Technology, and other departments. This role involves researching, analyzing, configuring, testing, and maintaining systems that support student accounts. Key responsibilities include managing daily billing, tuition and housing adjustments, processing weekly refunds, and overseeing annual 1098-T filings. The position requires an understanding of data workflows, strong collaboration within a multidisciplinary team, and effective communication with end-users and stakeholders. Additional duties include general support tasks such as responding to calls and emails.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Experience and Training:

• Bachelor's Degree with concentration in Business Administration, Computer Information Systems or related field or equivalent experience.
• Experience in a Higher Education environment is highly preferred.
• Experience working directly with business stakeholders at all levels in the organization.
• Experience working with both internal and contract/vendor resources to solve business problems and implement solutions.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Knowledge, Skills, Ability:

• Knowledge and ability to utilize the Internet, Microsoft Office software, E-Commerce and ERP software such as Ellucian-Datatel or Workday or a related higher education software package.
• Knowledge and ability to utilize internal systems such as Perceptive Content, TouchNet, Entrinsik Informer, SQL Reporting Services and Blackboard Transact/Blackboard Reporting System.
• Demonstrates strong collaboration and inter-team skills. Has ability to listen well to others and accepts input from team members. Follows through with commitments and fosters mutual trust with fellow innovators.
• Flexibility and ability to plan, prioritize, and execute multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational and time management skills including the ability to multi-task, prioritize competing work responsibilities and meet deadlines.
• Improve upon existing approaches by seeking opportunities to creatively transform current practices into fresh alternative solutions.
• Communicate effectively in both verbal and written form, as well as have an overall ability to be clear and concise in all communication.
• Establishes and maintains effective professional relationships with internal and external customers.
• Strong knowledge of reporting tools and report generation.
• Knowledge of 1098-T reporting for year-end tax purposes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Acts as a liaison between departmental end-users, technical analysts, consultants and other third-party organizations in the analysis, design, configuration, testing and maintenance of information systems and software to ensure optimal operational performance.
• Works closely with Director to identify opportunities for improving business processes through information systems and/or non-system driven changes.
• Assists in the preparation of proposals to develop new systems and/or operational changes.
• Analyzes the feasibility of, and documents the requirements for, new information systems and enhancements to existing systems; ensures the system design fits the needs of the Office of Student Accounts.
• Tracks and fully documents change for functional and business specifications; writes detailed universally understood procedures for permanent records and for use in training.
• Provides technical assistance in training, mentoring, and coaching Student Accounts staff.
• As directed by the Director, participates in studies of new and existing programs and special projects to determine feasibility - consults with the Director regarding organizational, procedural, technical, and fiscal research and analysis.
• Explores procedures to improve efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and/or improve internal and external customer service.
• Develops information system documentation to support efficient Student Account operations and prepares reports, written findings, and recommendations.
• Participates in the analysis and design of any computer database systems relating to Student Accounts.
• Assists in analyzing and reporting on other student account functions as needed.
• Handles and maintains year-end 1098-T reporting for third party vendor and distribution to students. Analyzes 1098-T information for accuracy and collaborates with team members on any adjustments needed. Responsible for handling calls from parents/students regarding 1098-T questions.
• Responsible for performing the daily billing functions of the Office of Student Accounts. This will include billing the tuition adjustments and housing assignment changes. Analyzing any changes in charges due to the billing function and making corrections as necessary.
• Handles questions regarding meal plan assignments and changes using Blackboard Transact. Communicates the information directly to the student and the other functional departments involved. Also, to include making any manual adjustments for taxes and meal plan charges that may arise.
• Works with the Director to process weekly batch and individual refunds. This will entail the review of accounts to make sure that the refunds are processed within the guidelines of the university as well as under compliance with Federal and State regulations.
• Will work directly with the Director to update and maintain the annual building of the Rate Tables. This will require analyzing of the new tuition and fee structure to make sure that the appropriate student body is being charged appropriately. Through this will develop more automated and effective ways to add charges onto student accounts.
• Will work directly with the Director and the Office of Student Life to update and maintain the annual building of the Room Rate Tables. This will require the analyzing of the new housing tier costs as well as the room class assignments to make sure that all housing charges are being recorded to the appropriate GL account.
• Participates in the development of new reporting that will enhance the effectiveness of the Office of Student Accounts. This will require the Data Analyst to work in conjunction with other team members and departments to find the individual reporting needs and begin the report building process.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

None

ACCOUNTABILITY:

As delegated by university policy, the incumbent assists with improving business process through information systems to meet budgetary requirements of the university. The incumbent works closely with the Director of Student Accounts to ensure compliance with university policies. This position contributes extensively to the University having a successful Student Accounts function.

For more information about this position, please contact Megan Inch, Director of Student Accounts at minch@highpoint.edu