Team Lead - Bursar

Description of Job Duty:
 

The Accounts Receivable Manager provides leadership and oversight for the University's accounts receivable operations, ensuring the accurate administration of student, loan, and general receivables while maintaining compliance with applicable federal, state, Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), and University regulations and policies. The position is responsible for managing financial operations related to billing, collections, reconciliations, revenue reporting, and customer account services while supporting the integrity of the University's financial records.

This position supervises Accounts Receivable staff, develops and improves business processes, and serves as a subject matter expert for complex receivables, student accounts, financial reporting, and enterprise financial systems. The Accounts Receivable Manager collaborates with academic and administrative departments, Financial Aid, the Registrar, Housing, Information Technology, and other campus partners to resolve complex issues, implement system enhancements, and support University initiatives.

The position plays a critical role in maintaining effective internal controls, supporting month-end and year-end financial activities, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements, and delivering exceptional customer service to students, families, departments, and external stakeholders while advancing the University's financial and strategic objectives.

Tennessee Tech is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

Essential Functions:
 

• Lead and oversee the University's accounts receivable operations, including student accounts, general receivables, institutional loans, and collection activities, ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, THEC, and University regulations and policies.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate Accounts Receivable staff by providing leadership, performance management, coaching, workload distribution, and professional development to ensure efficient and effective operations.
• Manage the assessment, billing, collection, adjustment, and reconciliation of student tuition and fees, departmental receivables, third-party sponsorships, institutional loans, and other University receivables.
• Oversee student account services, including account analysis, tuition and fee assessments, refunds, payment processing, waivers, exemptions, withdrawals, enrollment changes, 1098-T reporting, and resolution of complex account inquiries.
• Administer institutional loan programs and oversee remaining Federal Perkins Loan responsibilities, including regulatory reporting, collections, deferments, cancellations, loan assignments, and compliance with applicable federal requirements.
• Prepare, review, and reconcile accounting transactions affecting accounts receivable, cash, revenue, refunds, write-offs, and related balance sheet accounts while supporting month-end and year-end financial close activities.
• Coordinate and monitor delinquent account collections, bankruptcy processing, bad debt write-offs, collection agency activity, and compliance with applicable state and federal collection requirements.
• Manage receivables reporting and financial analysis by preparing reconciliations, journal entries, financial reports, aging schedules, and supporting documentation for audits and the University's financial statements.
• Collaborate with Financial Aid, the Registrar, Housing, Information Technology, Finance, academic departments, and other campus partners to resolve complex financial issues, improve business processes, and implement enterprise system enhancements.
• Serve as the functional expert for Accounts Receivable business processes within the University's enterprise financial systems, participating in testing, system implementations, process improvements, and policy development.
• Oversee specialized business functions including third-party billing, returned payments, stale-dated checks, traffic citations, departmental invoicing, dual service agreements, and other assigned receivable programs.
• Ensure exceptional customer service by responding to complex inquiries from students, parents, faculty, staff, sponsors, governmental agencies, and external partners while promoting accurate, timely, and professional service.
• Develop, document, and maintain departmental procedures and internal controls that safeguard University assets, improve operational efficiency, and ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards and University policies.

Physical Demands:

Those typical of an office environment.

Work Hours:

Typical hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Special Instructions:

Applicants will be required to submit a cover letter, resume, contact information for three professional references, and a copy of unofficial transcripts (official transcripts will be required upon hire). Submission of materials is the applicant’s responsibility. Applications without all required materials are incomplete and will not be considered.

Salary:

Commensurate with education and experience. Level M1, Grade 12.

Benefits Information:

The University offers a competitive benefits package. Benefits include the accumulation of two vacation days per month, one sick leave day per month, and thirteen University holidays. Other benefits include medical and life insurance (shared cost with the university), retirement, optional 401k, and educational benefits.

Minimum Qualifications:
 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Accounting or Finance.
• Three years of related professional experience including at least one year of customer service experience.
• Working knowledge of accounting principles, financial transactions, and accounting entries.
• Strong mathematical, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor and handle sensitive or confidential financial information appropriately.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office applications.
   

Preferred Qualifications:
 

• Experience in accounts receivable or higher education financial operations.
• Experience supervising, training, or leading employees.
• Experience with enterprise financial or student information systems, such as Oracle Cloud, Ellucian Banner, TouchNet, or similar systems.
• Experience working with collection agencies, credit bureaus, third-party sponsors, or institutional loan programs.
• Experience performing financial reconciliations, preparing journal entries, or supporting month-end and year-end accounting activities.