San Francisco Bay University (SFBU), a small-sized nonprofit, WASC-accredited, university situated in the heart of Silicon Valley in Fremont, California. SFBU is a new and rebranded university currently offering degrees in computer science (BS, MS), electrical engineering (MS), business (BABS/MBA/MSBan/MSDS), and professional educational programs.
SFBU’s mission is to offer inclusive, innovative, and inspirational education for lifelong careers.
Job Summary
The Bursar is responsible for student accounts receivables at San Francisco Bay University. This role provides student-centered service through clear and timely communication with students and families regarding account balances, billing, and payment. Under the direction of the Controller, the Bursar collaborates with Financial Aid, Enrollment, the Registrar, Housing Operations, and other student-facing units to accurately apply charges and credits to student accounts, process refunds, monitor overdue balances, and assist students and families with payment options. As a member of the Finance team, this position maintains high standards of quality assurance and internal controls, and participates in cross-training and support.
Key Responsibilities
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Responsible for ensuring all charges and credits are accurately and timely posted to student accounts.
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Develops, implements, and manages business systems and financial control policies, including overall business and accounting functions, budgeting and reporting, auditing, purchasing, procurement, contracting, grants, and fixed assets.
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Serves as a main point of contact for students and their support systems providing tuition and fees payment options, information and account status updates to ensure timely payments and processing.
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Prepare weekly, monthly, and annual reports on student receivables for internal audit review, management reporting, and student success efforts, as well as for external audit and compliance.
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Collaborates with Financial Aid to ensure that financial aid from federal, state, private, and institutional sources is applied appropriately to student accounts and that necessary reporting is in place.
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Receives, investigates and responds to complex student accounts circumstances according to established policies and procedures.
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Coordinates daily operations and maintenance of accounts receivable information systems and recommends improvements to technological capabilities and processes.
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Establishes, implements, and monitors policies and procedures for the billing and collection of tuition payments and other financial student account charges.
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Cross-trains on other areas of accounting, supports the learning of other accountants cross-training in student accounts duties, and participates in mutual backup of essential duties among the accounting team.
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Participate in professional development to maintain current knowledge and skills in all areas of responsibility.
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Perform other duties as assigned.
Essential Qualifications
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Baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college with a major in business administration or accounting (or its equivalent) plus demonstrated performance in fiscal management position for at least 2-3 years.
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Skill in critical thinking, data analysis, and problem-solving.
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Excellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical financial concepts and information to general audiences.
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Knowledge of financial management software and systems.
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Skill in implementing financial policies and procedures that are clear, user-friendly, and promote a strong internal control environment.
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Maintains sensitivity, understanding, and respect for a diverse academic environment, inclusive of students, faculty, and staff of varying social, economic, cultural, ideological and ethnic backgrounds.
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Technical fluency with Microsoft Office Professional Suite, and Google mail and calendaring programs.
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Demonstrate a strong knowledge of regulatory rules.
Preferred Qualifications
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2+ years student accounts or financial aid experience in a higher education setting.
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2+ years accounting experience.
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Certified public accountant, plus demonstrated performance in a senior fiscal management position.
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Experience handling sensitive personal and financial data in compliance with data protection best practices and the Family Educational RIghts and Privacy Act (FERPA) regulations.
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Experience with Salesforce and/or Sage Intacct.
Physical Demands
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Physical demands include lifting limits of up to 20 lbs, bending, sitting, standing, walking to parts of the Campus with a ¼ mile radius, and long periods of computer use.
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The employee is occasionally required to sit or stand for long periods.
Work Environment
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Job duties typically performed in an office environment.
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Business casual dress.