Bursar

About the role

The Bursar provides leadership and direction for front-end student financial services, billing operations, and customer service workflows within Student Records and Financial Services. This role involves supervising professional and student staff, managing student account rules, and optimizing daily cashiering to support strategic enrollment and retention goals.

Responsibilities

• Hire, train, manage, supervise, and evaluate customer service and front-facing professional staff.
• Supervise Student Employees: Recruit, train, and oversee graduate assistants, work-study students, and other student workers across the department.
• Develop and implement training programs to ensure student employees are well-equipped to support office functions, providing ongoing coaching and performance oversight.
• Provide leadership and direction for all personnel utilizing the frontline student information and accounts receivable systems.
• Responsible for presentations to students and parents.
• As a key member of the Student Financial Services management team, the Bursar is responsible for development and implementation of new initiatives; leading the review and development of policies and procedures; assisting in year-end close, FISAP, and audits.
• Billing, Cashiering, & Revenue Management:
  • Create and maintain student billing rules and records for tuition, fees, room, and meal plan charges.
  • Track and maintain enrollment counts, accounts receivable, and financial aid disbursements.
  • Manage current student retention outreach, specifically identifying and contacting students who are not registered for a future semester (both undergraduate and graduate).
  • Manage stop-out student outreach and re-registration.
  • Hold ultimate responsibility for the timely and accurate processing and depositing of university-wide revenue, including all deposits flowing through the Cashier’s office.
  • Perform daily reconciliation of all office payment, banking, and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) activity.
  • Perform daily banking and ACH transfers.
  • Manage and serve as the primary point person for support of TouchNet Bill/Payment.
• Operational & Office Responsibilities:
  • Oversee daily office operations, including ordering supplies, managing promotional materials, coordinating facility needs, and maintaining an organized workspace.
  • Maintain and update web pages to ensure accuracy of published student accounts information, billing rates, and institutional disclosures.
  • Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) to enhance front-office efficiency and support student retention.
  • Build and maintain adequate safeguards and controls in the daily frontline billing and collection of student fees.
  • Ensure, in collaboration with the SFS Systems liaison(s), that frontline Banner modules are functioning effectively, including participating in testing upgrades.
  • Understand, adhere to, and monitor compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) and Title IV federal regulations.

Qualifications

• Education & Certifications: Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance, or related field is preferred; a master’s degree is a plus.
• Experience: Three years of experience in a higher education environment in a para-professional capacity is required. Experience working with a student/business information system and database is preferred.
• Demonstrated Success: In implementing and improving administrative processes.
• Skills: Proficient with Microsoft Suite and use information technology effectively, enhancing access to academic data in support of institutional planning and reporting; knowledge and experience with the Canisius Ellucian Banner System. Professional demeanor and ability to work effectively with various constituencies including potential/incoming students and their families, current students and their families, faculty, administrators, and the public. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required; ability to discuss billing and payment concerns with students and/or their parent/guardian is a plus. Strong organizational and data entry skills and attention to detail are required. Ability to manage confidential, sensitive data and adapt to changing processes and policies is essential. Ability to manage multiple activities and meet deadlines. Knowledge of Banner student accounts, financial aid, and general ledger areas is a plus. Technical and functional knowledge of computerized billing and accounts receivable systems is a plus. Knowledge of federal disbursement, refund, and cash-handling rules is a plus. Knowledge of federal regulations regarding Title IV and private loans and proven record of accomplishment in compliance is a plus.
• Eligibility: Must be eligible to work in the United States.