Accounting Associate - Collections, Student Accounts

The Collections Associate will function as an in-house Collections Associate in the Cashier's /Student Accounts Receivable Office. This position will be responsible for developing and implementing in-house collection processes and in-house payment plans to serve as an intermediary step between normal billing/payment processes and the process of sending student accounts to a third-party collection agencies. The overall emphasis is on creating a controlled and monitored collections process that will lead to the reduction of bad debt related to past due student account.

• Associate's Degree required from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, or a combination of education and experience may be considered.Â
• One year of accounting, billing, collections, or other closely related business experience.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Must be personable, energetic, and have a customer service orientation. Â
• Ability to work cooperatively with others in a team environment.
• Experience with Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel required, with an ability and desire to learn new software, as requested. Â
• Experience with an integrated student information system such as Colleague by Ellucian, Banner by Ellucian, or PeopleSoft.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, be flexible and adaptable in a rapidly changing environment.
• Strong analytical skills and a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to effectively negotiate with both students and collection agencies.
• Ability to use good judgement when handling documents containing confidential information.
• Ability to resolve issues and complaints in an efficient and calm manner.
• Understanding of and commitment to the HFC mission.
  
  

The ideal candidate will have a career that reflects the following qualifications and competencies

• Reasoning- Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.
• Customer Service- Works with clients and customers (that is, any individual who use or receive the services or products that your work both internal and external to the college.
• Listening- Receives, attends to, interprets, Cand responds to verbal messages and other cues such as body language in ways that are appropriate to listeners and situations.
• Conscientiousness- Displays a high level of effort and commitment towards performing work; demonstrates and responsible behavior.
• Critical thinking and Problem-Solving Skills-Â The ability to work independently and make independent decisions and judgement consistent with the level of the position.
• Thinking Innovatively-Â Constantly searches for new ways of improving existing processes and doing things more efficiently; strives to understand what is missing from current processes. Implement process improvement when possible.
  
  

In Addition, We Seek Someone Who Values And Demonstrates

• Attention to Detail- In through when performing work and contentious about attending to details.Â
• Arithmetic/Mathematical Reasoning- Performs computations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division correctly. Â Solves problems by applying the correct formulas. Â Arithmetic/Mathematical Reasoning- Performs computations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division correctly. Â Solves problems by applying the correct formulas.
• Writing- Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation and spelling to communicate effectively with our sponsor (customer). Writing- Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation and spelling to communicate effectively with our sponsor (customer).Â
• Integrity/Honesty- Contributes to maintain the integrity of the organization; displays high standards of ethical conduct and understands the impact of violating these standards on an organization, self and others. Is trustworthy.Â
• Continual Learning- Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses; pursues self-development.
• Sends electronic notification of outstanding balances to students each semester after Financial Aid funds have been applied. Â
• Sends secondary billing notices, based on timeframe determined by Bursar. Â
• Creates student payment plan options/programs, based on criteria determined by Bursar. Â
• Creates, implements and manage balance dispute process. Â Â
• Monitors account balances and remove holds based on criteria determined by Bursar. Â
• Reports in-house collection and payment plan results on a monthly basis.
• Generates lists for posting collection fee charges to student accounts as well as to submit accounts with outstanding balances to collection agencies. Â
• Oversees posting of payments made to collection agencies to student accounts. Â
• Skips trace accounts with information from collection agencies, Zaba search and electronic locators. Â
• Reviews account reports for activity submitted to collection agencies. Â
• Monitors, close and transfers balances between collection agencies for secondary placements.
• Reports outsourced collection results on a monthly basis. Â
• Creates comparison report for outsourced collection activity.
• Provides direction and support to employees who assist in the collections process.
  
  

While we have attempted to capture the core functional responsibilities in the role, the statements contained in this job announcement reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility. It should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Therefore, performing additional job-related duties not listed above may be required as assigned. For applicants viewing this ad from an external site, please go to hfcc.edu/jobs to apply.Â