Student Accounts Specialist

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 Specialist supports learning by administrating support in all areas to include customer service, cashier duties, collections of past due accounts, assisting parents and students with questions regarding account policies, and account balances. The position will provide responses to students, parents, and other university offices regarding inquiries about billing statements, financial aid, student loans, and/or other information requested that is related to the university. The Student Accounts Specialist is expected to communicate and respond in a highly professional manner.   

The Student Accounts Specialist will serve as a resource to the Student Accounts Manager and Director of Student Accounts.

Core Competencies:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business.
  4. Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned.

Essential Job Functions:

  1. Develops communication plan, processes, and training for managing past due accounts in partnership with the Student Accounts Manager.
  2. Monitors and manages all accounts receivable and collections including the implementation and maintenance of appropriate collections activities and efforts. Contracts with third party collection agencies for the collection of defaulted accounts and manages agency performance and related activities. Conducts monthly reconciliation.
  3. Prepares accounts for collection agency referral. Serves as office liaison to collection agencies.
  4. Collaborates with the Director and Student Accounts Manager on a regular basis on outstanding receivables with recommendations for resolution of uncollectible accounts.
  5. Processes write-offs and bankruptcies. Maintains in-house payment plan and bankruptcy student accounts. Audits and analyzes general ledger accounts pertaining to student receivable.
  6. Interviews, hires, trains, and supervises student workers in collaboration with the Student Accounts Manager.
  7. Proactively outreaches to students regarding balances due to incomplete financial aid files, providing guidance on payment options and system functionalities, minimizing defaulted student accounts, and reducing university debt.
  8. Works collaboratively within the Office of Student Accounts with other department staff across the university to understand processes, systems, and services available for resolution of student issues. Develops and maintains an expert understanding of university policies, procedures, requirements. and effectively communicates information as it relates to the Office of Student Accounts.
  9. Answers questions parents and students may have regarding the status of their accounts and payment plans. Researches any billing discrepancies.
  10. Becomes an expert on state and federal laws in regards to collection and transcript laws.
  11. Be a back-up for the representative/cashier in their absence.
  12. Other duties as assigned.

Essential Job Requirements:

Education:

  • Bachelor's degree is preferred.

Experience:

  • 3-5 years of customer service and management experience.
  • Knowledge of collections procedures and regulations, as well as previous collections experience is strongly preferred.
  • Good knowledge of basic accounting principles and techniques.
  • Ability to prepare and maintain accounting records.
  • Strong attention to detail.
  • Previous data entry experience required.
  • Previous cash handling skills.
  • Previous office work.
  • Knowledge of Ellucian Colleague Systems.
  • Basic knowledge of financial aid a plus.
  • Basic knowledge of TouchNet.

Skills:

  • Strong eye for detail.
  • Proficient use of Microsoft Excel and Word.
  • Word processing skills.
  • Knowledge of basic accounting principles/techniques/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
jobs@aurora.edu - email

Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.