Mid-Atlantic HERC

Soka University of America (SUA) seeks an experienced and student-centered Manager of Student Accounts/Bursar to lead the Student Accounts Office and serve as the institution’s chief administrator for billing, collections, payment plans, cash management, and student financial services operations. The Manager ensures the accuracy, compliance, and timeliness of all student account activities while providing exceptional service to students, families, and campus partners.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical and regulatory expertise with commitment to SUA’s mission of fostering a supportive, compassionate, and globally minded educational environment.

Candidates should demonstrate responsiveness toward and understanding of diverse student backgrounds and experiences. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to the university’s mission to develop global citizens. Having the ability and willingness to work collegially is essential, as is an understanding of an interdisciplinary liberal arts curriculum.

Essential duties include but not limited to:

Leadership & Administration (30%)

• Lead, supervise, and develop the Student Accounts Office staff; promote a culture of accuracy, accountability, service, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee all student billing cycles, statements, refunds, and collections in accordance with federal, state, and institutional policies.
• Manage the university’s student account systems (e.g., PeopleSoft or other ERP), ensuring data integrity, reconciliation, and proper integration with Financial Aid, Registrar, Finance, and other units.
• Develop and maintain clear policies and procedures for student billing, payment plans, third-party sponsorships, international payments, and delinquency management.

Financial Management (20%)

• Oversee cashiering and receipt processing, including cash handling controls and compliance with internal audit standards.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the Finance/Controller’s Office for reconciliation of student receivables, general ledger postings, and month-end/year-end closing.
• Manage student refund processes, including Title IV credit balance refunds in coordination with Financial Aid.

Customer Service & Cross-Campus Collaboration (20%)

• Serve as a key resource for students and families regarding billing questions, financial holds, payment options, and account resolutions.
• Partner closely with Financial Aid, Registrar, Residential Life, Study Abroad, and other departments to align charges, disbursements, and student notifications.
• Communicate clearly and compassionately about balances, deadlines, and institutional financial policies.

Technology & Process Improvement (20%)

• Optimize use of the university’s ERP and payment platforms; implement automation and workflow improvements to reduce errors and enhance efficiency.
• Set up and test processes and create reports using the ERP and payment platforms.
• Collaborate with IT on system upgrades, testing, and integration projects.
• Lead initiatives to modernize billing communication, self-service tools, and online payment experiences for students.

Compliance & Regulatory Oversight (10%)

• Ensure all billing and refund operations comply with federal Title IV regulations, IRS requirements (e.g., 1098-T), state regulations, PCI standards, and institutional policies.
• Maintain current knowledge of regulatory developments affecting student financial services; implement updates to policies and procedures as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Required –

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field.

Preferred –

• Master’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related discipline.

Experience:

Required –

• Minimum 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in student accounts, bursar operations, or higher-education financial services.

Preferred –

• Experience in a small private liberal arts university or residential campus setting.
• Supervisory experience directing a team in a student-facing service environment.
• Experience with payment plan systems, international payment platforms, and third-party billing.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of federal Title IV regulations, FERPA, and PCI compliance.
• Demonstrated experience with ERP systems (PeopleSoft preferred) and student billing platforms.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional communication and customer-service orientation.

Soka University of America offers a competitive salary, benefits and an excellent working environment. Anticipated salary range for this position is $85,000 to $95,000 and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Employment is contingent upon the completion of a successful background check.

Application review will begin immediately. The position will remain open, and applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

New employees must provide documents, on their first day, verifying identity and legal authorization to work in the United States. The list of acceptable documents can be found at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents.

Application Requirements

Must submit the following to be considered:

• letter of interest for this position
• resume
• three professional references 

Apply for the Manager of Student Accounts/Bursar position

For inquiries, e-mail: jobs@soka.edu

Soka University of America is an equal opportunity employer.

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About Soka University of America

Founded on the Buddhist principles of peace, human rights, and the sanctity of life, Soka University of America is a secular, four-year liberal arts college and graduate school with a unique mission: to educate global citizens to contribute to a better world. Situated atop a ridge overlooking a 4,000-acre wilderness park, Soka is three miles from the Pacific Ocean, midway between Los Angeles and San Diego. The university's commitment to fostering global citizenship is reflected in its diverse student body, with 50% of students hailing from international backgrounds. This is further supported by mandatory second language and study abroad programs, and an interdisciplinary core curriculum. The curriculum is delivered in small, dynamic classes, maintaining a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an average class size of 12.

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