Founded in 1863, Saint Mary's is a residential campus nestled 20 miles east of San Francisco in the picturesque Moraga Valley. Based in the Catholic, Lasallian and Liberal Arts traditions, Saint Mary's currently enrolls more than 3,100 students from diverse backgrounds in undergraduate and graduate programs. The De La Salle Christian Brothers, the largest teaching order of the Roman Catholic Church, guide the spiritual and academic character of the College.
As a comprehensive and independent institution, Saint Mary's offers undergraduate and graduate programs integrating liberal and professional education. Saint Mary's reputation for excellence, innovation and responsiveness in education stems from its vibrant heritage as a Catholic, Lasallian and Liberal Arts institution. An outstanding, committed faculty and staff that value shared inquiry, integrative learning and student interaction bring these traditions to life in the 21st century. The College is committed to the educational benefits of diversity.
Summary:
Under the direction of the Director of Student Accounts, this position is responsible for the efficient and
effective organization of all functions related to billing, refunding, loan disbursement, customer service,
cashiering, collections, and record maintenance within the student accounts area in accordance with
federal law, state law, and SMC policies.
The Assistant Director works closely with the Director in developing, administering, and implementing
policies and procedures relating to all aspects of Student Accounts. It serves as back up role for the
Director. The Assistant Director complies with federal regulations, particularly related to Title IV funds
and FERPA, and ensures a strong environment of internal controls.
Responsibilities:
BILLING
This position is integral to the billing and collection of over $120m in tuition revenue and $18m in housing, including but not limited to the following:
Responsible for creating and testing the Rate Tables for tuiton charges, housing charges, and other fees. The tuition rate tables include thirteen uniqe academic levels each with different rates and rules. Tests the data to ensure data integrity. Responsible for running the daily biller for two academic calendars. Ensures the accuracy of the records to facilitate the flow of information between the Business Office, the Registrars Office, Enrollment Management, the Financial Aid Office, and other related offices.
Ensures that charges and billing are completed according to the established accounting schedule.
Creates and launches the monthly payment plan in coordination with our third party vendor, Touchnet. Launches monthly eBills for graduate, professional, credential, and undergraduate students, to support ongoing cash flow.
Reconciles end-of-day electronic files of tuition payments and gifts/events.
FINANCIAL AID/REFUNDS
Responsible for the disbursement of financial aid through the FA Transmittal Register. Reviews and interprets data for accuracy and works with the Associate Director of Financial Aid to correct any errors.
Responsible for processing refunds in accordance with federal regulations, including Title IV and VA regulations as it relates to cash management and administration of federal aid. SMC disburses $22m in Federal Direct Loans funds. Works closely with the Athletics Compliance Department to issue monthly athletic stipends.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Supervises and coaches one full-time position and oversees and reconciles the cash drawers and petty cash fund according to established office procedures. Demonstrates consultative skills while working with internal and external constituent groups in higher education.
Responds to students, parents and colleagues regarding student billing and account issues. Handles sensitive situations. Resolves complaints with tact and diplomacy while projecting a positive image. Enforces SMC policies regarding payment and registration deadlines and makes decisions by carefully analyzing account history and SMC policies.
REPORTING and RECONCILIATION
Produces reports for various campus departments, including reports based on restriction codes or clearance codes. Works with numerous departments such as Campus Housing and Center for International Programs to ensure consistency of
data. Posts monthly late fees.
Assists the Director of Student Accounts with three reconciliations; the online student payments through Touchnet, the private loan funds through ELM, and the restricted scholarship account.
Assists with the collection efforts and bad debt write-offs. Works with three collection agencies when delinquent accounts are referred to them.
Authorizes special bills for various military agencies such as ROTC, Dept of Rehabilitation, and Veterans Affairs in conjunction with the VA Certifying Official.
Collaborates with Enrollment Management colleagues to improve, enhance, and streamline the overall student experience.
COORDINATION OF WORKFLOW
Trains staff and determines work priorities. Provides support and back-up, when needed. Protects the privacy of student financial information and assists with the fiscal year-end processing and audit reports. Attends meetings and committees to better support student services.
When required, assumes full responsibility of the department in the absence of the Director of Student Accounts.
Other Duties as Assigned
Assists with other projects such as annual audit, uncashed checks, credit balance report, ARTM cleanup, 1098T production, medical waive processing and billing for student health insurance. Requirements Education: REQUIRED: Bachelor's Degree PREFERRED: Master's
Experience: (years required and applicable field of experience): Three to five years of higher education experience managing a staff to effectively impact financial operations, accounts receivables, audit and federal regulations, and to meet departmental objectives. Knowledge of FERPA, Title IV regulations, Red flag rules, A-133 rules. Cash handling or payment processing experience.
Skills/Abilities: Knowledge of accounting standards. Must be able to communicate professionally and clearly. Excellent customer service skills. It is essential that this position handle sensitive and difficult situations with composure and in an effective manner. Ability to thrive in a fast paced environment and handle high volumes of data. Critical thinking and sound decision-making in ambiguous situations Maintain confidentiality. Spanish fluency is desired but not required.
Other Requirements: (e.g. travel, weekend/evening work) Evening and weekend work required during peak times.
Supplemental Information:
Application Instructions: Please apply online at Saint Mary's Staff Career Page. Your application is considered complete if you include the following:
Resume
Cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications and are prepared to support the Mission of the College
The name and contact information for three (3) professional references
Consent authorizing a broader inquiry which may include reference checks, a motor vehicle check, and a third-party background check
Saint Mary's is an equal employment opportunity employer. We support inclusive excellence and are committed to creating a safe and welcoming community for all. College policy prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, gender stereotyping, and gender identity, taking a protected leave (e.g. family medical or pregnancy leave), or on any other basis protected by applicable laws. Saint Mary's College annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Saint Mary's College Report, see the website here: https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/public-safety-transportation/clery-reports-and-alerts. To request a paper copy please call Public Safety at (925) 631-4284. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.
The foundation for everything we do at Saint Mary's is our mission: To probe deeply the mystery of existence by cultivating the ways of knowing and the arts of thinking. Recognizing that the paths to knowledge are many, Saint Mary's College of California offers a diverse curriculum that includes the humanities, arts, sciences, social sciences, education, business administration and nursing, serving traditional students and adult learners in both undergraduate and graduate programs. As an institution where the liberal arts inform and enrich all areas of learning, it places special importance on fostering the intellectual skills and habits of mind, which liberate persons to probe deeply the mystery of existence and live authentically in response to the truths they discover. This liberation is achieved as faculty and students, led by wonder about the nature of reality, look twice, ask why, seek not merely facts but fundamental principles, strive for an integration of all knowledge and express themselves precisely and eloquently. To affirm and foster the Christian understanding of the human person which animates the educational mission of the Catholic Church. Saint Mary's College holds... that the mystery which inspires wonder about the nature of existence is revealed in the person of Jesus Christ giving a transcendent meaning to creation and human existence. Nourished by its Christian faith, the College understands the intellectual and spiritual journeys of the human person to be inextricably connected. It promotes the dialogue of faith and reason: it builds community among its members through the celebration of the church's sacramental life; it defends the goodness, dignity and freedom of each person, and fosters sensitivity to social and ethical concerns. Recognizing that all those who sincerely quest for truth contribute to and enhance its stature as a Catholic institution of higher learning, Saint Mary's welcomes members from its own and other traditions, inviting them to collaborate in fulfilling the spiritual mission of the College. To create a student-centered educational community whose members support one another with mutual understanding and respect. As a Lasallian college, Saint Mary's holds that students are given to its care by God and that teachers grow spiritually and personally when their work is motivated by faith and zeal. The College seeks students, faculty, administrators and staff from different social, economic and cultural backgrounds who come together to grow in knowledge, wisdom and love. A distinctive mark of a Lasallian school is its awareness of the consequences of economic and social injustice and its commitment to the poor. Its members learn to live "their responsibility to share their goods and their service with those who are in need, a responsibility based on the union of all men and women in the world today and on a clear understanding of the meaning of Christianity." (From: The Brothers of the Christian Schools in the World Today: A Declaration).The foundation for everything we do at Saint Mary's is our mission: To probe deeply the mystery of existence by cultivating the ways of knowing and the arts of thinking. Recognizing that the paths to knowledge are many, Saint Mary's College of California offers a diverse curriculum that includes the humanities, arts, sciences, social sciences, education, business administration and nursing, serving traditional students and adult learners in both undergraduate and graduate programs. As an institution where the liberal arts inform and enrich all areas of learning, it places special importance on fostering the intellectual skills and habits of mind, which liberate persons to probe deeply the mystery of existence and live authentically in response to the truths they discover. This liberation is achieved as faculty and students, led by wonder about the nature of reality, look twice, ask why, seek not merely facts but fundamental principles, strive for an integration of all knowledge and express themselves precisely and eloquently. To affirm and foster the Christian understanding of the human person which animates the educational mission of the Catholic Church. Saint Mary's College holds that the mystery which inspires wonder about the nature of existence is revealed in the person of Jesus Christ giving a transcendent meaning to creation and human existence. Nourished by its Christian faith, the College understands the intellectual and spiritual journeys of the human person to be inextricably connected. It promotes the dialogue of faith and reason: it builds community among its members through the celebration of the church's sacramental life; it defends the goodness, dignity and freedom of each person, and fosters sensitivity to social and ethical concerns. Recognizing that all those who sincerely quest for truth contribute to and enhance its stature as a Catholic institution of higher learning, Saint Mary's welcomes members from its own and other traditions, inviting them to collaborate in fulfilling the spiritual mission of the College. To create a student-centered educational community whose members support one another with mutual understanding and respect. As a Lasallian college, Saint Mary's holds that students are given to its care by God and that teachers grow spiritually and personally when their work is motivated by faith and zeal. The College seeks students, faculty, administrators and staff from different social, economic and cultural backgrounds who come together to grow in knowledge, wisdom and love. A distinctive mark of a Lasallian school is its awareness of the consequences of economic and social injustice and its commitment to the poor. Its members learn to live "their responsibility to share their goods and their service with those who are in need, a responsibility based on the union of all men and women in the world today and on a clear understanding of the meaning of Christianity." (From: The Brothers of the Christian Schools in the World Today: A Declaration).