Collections Specialist

Title:
Collections Specialist

Department:
Bursar's Office

Reports To:
Bursar, Bursar's Office

Position Type:
Staff

Position Summary:
Reporting to the University Bursar, this position is responsible for assisting in the development and execution of strategies to maximize student account receivables while working collaboratively with students and families. This position requires an exceptional ability to communicate solutions clearly and concisely in a logical manner along with excellent customer service, and strong organizational and analytical skills. The Collection Specialist will also coordinate, communicate and monitor collections activity with outside collection agencies. Position requires experience with Ellucian Banner ERP, including Accounts Receivable and Student modules.

Essential Functions:
- Research and collect on past due student accounts using all available resources (telephone, written communication with routine follow up, etc).
- Contact past due students to develop payment plans and/or resolve and collect outstanding accounts and ensure timely follow up for payment and resolution.
- Prepare clear and concise written correspondence to resolve and collect outstanding accounts.
- Review Banner Student and Accounts Receivable ERP to analyze and investigate a wide variety of student related information, including AR, Financial Aid and Student and Registration modules.
- Resolve complex account issues including but not limited to: payments due, accounting adjustments, refunds, registration and financial aid issues, via daily interactions with staff, parents, students, other university departments and third party vendors.
- Coordinate collection agency activities including but not limited to: account resolution and disputes, account settlement, analyzing agency inventory, payment posting, account adjustments and bankruptcies.
- Serve as the liaison for university departments for any collections related questions and issues.
- Prepare monthly review of accounts to facilitate bad debt write off in accordance with university policy and in consultation with Finance leadership. Accurately adjust accounts for bad debt write off and assign to collection agencies.

Prerequisite Qualifications:
- Position requires experience with Ellucian Banner ERP, including Accounts Receivable and Student modules, as well as familiarity with Argos reporting software and Regent Education Financial Aid system.
- 5 years of collections experience, preferably in a university setting.
- Excellent attention to detail and ability to work with large volumes of transactions.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work independently and manage time effectively.
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
- At the university's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be exempted where the candidate can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the university, an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.

Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, data analytics, or a related field preferred, OR equivalent work experience.
- Experience with Banner ERP.
- Excellent conflict resolution skills.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Experience working with students to resolve account issues timely, preferably in a higher education environment.
- Experience in higher education collections or in an environment dealing with student accounts or financial aid.
- Ability to plan, coordinate and organize work assignments to collection agencies.
- Strong knowledge of federal and state regulations related to collections.
- Demonstrated ability to work with collection agencies to reconcile accounts and ensure compliance with university policies.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for reconciliation and for reporting purposes.
- Ability to work evenings and weekends, as necessary.

Bargaining Unit:
OPEIU

Range/Band:
20

FLSA:
Non-Exempt
Full-Time