Description

Bursar

Division of Finance and Administration

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Regular Full-time, Market Range MR16

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) invites applications and nominations for the Bursar position. UTK is seeking candidates who have the ability to contribute in meaningful ways to the diversity and inclusion goals of the university.

 

Accountabilities

 

Leadership and Strategic Planning

 

• Responsible for building strategic working relationships with university leaders, key stakeholders, software partners, and external peers.
• Communicate regularly with university offices to make the fee assessment, billing, and collections processes operate seamlessly for students and to enhance the student experience.
• Identify, recommend, and lead initiatives in support of technological and operational enhancements which are designed to improve the student experience, processing systems, and data integrity.
• Model, establish, and maintain the highest standards for customer service, accuracy, integrity, security, and compliance while serving students, parents, alumni, and other university stakeholders in efficient, effective and engaging ways.
• Establish an ethical and collegial work environment, promoting a collaborative, accountable, and inclusive team. 
• Develop and implement short and long-term strategies that meet the goals of the department and division in alignment with the university's priorities and mission.

 

Bursar Office Management

 

• Oversee all facets of the daily operations of the Bursar's Office. Monitor team's core functional efforts, proactively addressing work flow, work distribution and/or staff performance. Support professional development for the department as a whole, as well as, individual team members.
• Ensure the timely and accurate assessment and collection of all university tuition, fees, room and board, and other approved departmental charges.
• Ensure the timely and accurate application and disbursement of financial aid and student refunds.
• Oversee the Student Loan area which includes Perkins and UT student loan awards, repayments, and reconciliations.
• Oversee the Central Cashier functions which includes the posting and reconciliation of funds for all of the campuses and institutes for the university system.
• Responsible for the management of all facets of Banner Accounts Receivable and TouchNet software including implementing and testing software upgrades, ensuring programming and rules have been correctly established, and coordinating processes and programs to create efficient interfaces between Banner modules and the university's financial and HR ERP (SAP).
• Serve as the primary office contact for federal, state and internal auditors.
• Administer and measure compliance with federal and state regulations and university policies and procedures related to all Bursar functions.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting related to non-resident aliens, 1098-T, and student loans, as well as, any other federal, state, and university required reports related to the Bursar functions.
• Communicate information, requirements, deadlines and procedures to students, parents, faculty and staff.
• Provide financial counseling for parents and students regarding payment options and payment plans with authority to negotiate special arrangements. Resolve problems and questions with students or parents regarding student finances in escalated or special situations.
Responsible for the creation and maintenance of a campus training plan and materials on Banner, TouchNet, and Argos.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications

 

• Minimum of eight to ten years of progressively responsible and demonstrated leadership experience in the successful management and administration of a comprehensive bursar's office.
• Five years supervisory experience.
• In-depth understanding of complex organizations, policies, process, and systems supporting student-centered and/or customer-centered operations.
• Demonstrated experience in change management and organizational assessment.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration or other related discipline.

 

Preferred Qualifications

 

• Five years of experience with Banner, TouchNet, Evisions and SAP.
• Experience in leading systems implementation and integration efforts.
• Active participation in state and national bursar stakeholder organizations or on software advisory committees.
• Master's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, or other related discipline.

 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

 

• Well-developed and effective problem-solving, mediation and interpersonal skills, and capacity for innovative thinking.
• Ability to examine and re-engineer operations and procedures, formulate policy, and develop and implement new strategies and procedures in an ever changing environment using an innovative leadership style.
• Ability to motivate and mentor staff and to foster a cooperative, team work environment within the department, division, and interdepartmental units.
• Ability to work in a positive manner with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Knowledge of customer service standards and procedures and the ability to model and establish the standards for excellence in customer service for the department.
• Excellent public relations, oral, and written communication skills and the ability to communicate sensitive and/or complex information in a confidential and straightforward manner.
• Knowledge of accounting and accounts receivable principles, cashiering and cash management principles and university and/or public accounting policies, standards and procedures.
• Knowledge of federal regulations governing financial aid disbursements, collection of Perkins and Nursing Federal loans, and federal reporting.
• Knowledge and ability to implement federal tax regulations in relation to 1098-T and non-resident alien tax reporting.
• Knowledge and working experience with higher education student, financial, and billing systems (ex. Banner, TouchNet, Evisions, and SAP).
• Knowledge of higher education and the ability to network with peers.

 

Applicants should submit a cover letter detailing relevant experience along with a resume and three (3) professional references.

Job: Executive/Administrative
Primary Location: US-Tennessee-knoxville
Organization: Bursar's Office
Schedule: Full-time
Job Posting: Mar 31, 2021, 11:27:00 AM