Student Financial Accounts Specialist

About the role

Virginia Western Community College is seeking a Student Financial Accounts Specialist. The incumbent provides professional customer service to students, families, and employees in person, by telephone, and in writing concerning student and college accounts regarding payments, invoicing, and returned checks. The role ensures compliance with federal privacy regulations, collects and balances state, federal, and local funds, prepares daily bank deposits and cash settlements, administers the Nelnet payment plan system and 1098‑T tax forms, invoices parking tickets, works with Financial Aid on state aid disbursements and refunds, serves as Alternate Setoff Coordinator for the Virginia Debt Setoff Program, and assists other departments with account indicators.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional customer service to students, families, and employees regarding payments, invoicing, and returned checks.
• Respond to general student inquiries.
• Ensure compliance with federal privacy and confidentiality regulations.
• Collect and balance state, federal, and local funds, crediting them to appropriate accounts.
• Prepare daily bank deposits and the Daily Cash Settlement, maintaining orderly files.
• Administer the Nelnet Systems third‑party payment plan and 1098‑T tax forms.
• Use Nelnet to re‑issue state or financial aid refund checks returned as undeliverable.
• Invoice parking tickets and maintain a spreadsheet of ticket status.
• Collaborate with Financial Aid on state aid disbursements and student refunds.
• Serve as Alternate Setoff Coordinator for the Virginia Debt Setoff Program.
• Assist the Virginia Department of Taxation with student debt submissions.
• Answer customer questions, directing them to the appropriate point of contact.
• Assist other departments in placing necessary indicators on student accounts.
• Perform special assignments and assist the agency or state government during emergency declarations as needed.

Required qualifications

• Skilled in working with the public and providing excellent customer service.
• Strong listening and communication skills.
• Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and efficiently operate a complex financial database.
• Strong organizational, time‑management, and analytical skills.
• Ability to interpret and explain complex financial transactions to lay customers.
• Capability to work independently, manage diverse tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Experience with cash handling, including balancing a cash drawer and making change.
• Experience interpreting policies and procedures.
• Proficiency with general office equipment and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Additional considerations

• Experience working in a financial system/database (preferred).
• Experience preparing bank deposits (preferred).
• No supervisory responsibilities.
• No required travel.

Pay

Hiring range: $45,739 – $49,521 per year.

Schedule

Monday‑Friday, 8 am – 5 pm.

Application information

Contact: Lindsey Weston, hrapps@virginiawestern.edu, 540‑857‑7305.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply through the Commonwealth’s Alternative Hiring Process and must provide an AHP Letter from the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired. Service‑connected veterans may also apply via the AHP with the required letter.
AHP Letter request: https://www.dars.virginia.gov/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx or call DARS at 800‑552‑5019, DBVI at 800‑622‑2155.