The Bursar administers student financial accounts and the Business Office’s centralized receipt and deposit functions, including billing, payments, refunds, collections, donations, pledge payments, rent, and other institutional receipts. The Bursar coordinates with Financial Aid, Registrar, Institutional Advancement, Accounting, Human Resources, and other departments to ensure transactions are accurately documented, deposited, recorded, and reconciled in accordance with University policies, donor restrictions, internal controls, and applicable regulations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Administer student accounts, including tuition, fees, housing, meal plans, and other charges.
- Process charges, credits, waivers, adjustments, payments, refunds, and payment plans accurately and timely.
- Monitor account balances, past-due accounts, and collection activity; resolve discrepancies and arrange authorized payment plans.
- Coordinate with Financial Aid, Registrar, and other departments regarding changes affecting student accounts.
- Process authorized write-offs, bad debt, and account adjustments.
- Maintain accurate student account records and supporting documentation.
- Serve as the central Business Office point of receipt for donations, pledge payments, rent, departmental receipts, and other institutional revenue.
- Safeguard, document, deposit, and properly identify and account for all receipts.
- Coordinate with Institutional Advancement to ensure gifts and pledge payments are properly designated, documented, and recorded.
- Reconcile gift groups, transmittal reports, deposits, and related records.
- Coordinate electronic gifts, payroll deductions, Cooperative Program receipts, rental payments, and other nonstudent receivables.
- Track pledge payments and payment schedules.
- Research and resolve unidentified, returned, duplicate, or incorrectly applied receipts.
- Prepare required documentation and journal vouchers for endowed gifts and other specialized transactions.
- Reconcile student accounts, donations, rent, and other receipts to subsidiary records, deposits, bank activity, and the general ledger.
- Prepare reports related to receivables, collections, refunds, deposits, and account activity.
- Assist with month-end, year-end, and audit procedures.
- Maintain accurate, organized, and audit-ready records and identify discrepancies requiring corrective action.
- Serve as a primary contact for student account and payment questions.
- Explain charges, payments, financial aid credits, refunds, payment plans, and University policies.
- Provide professional and timely service to students, parents, employees, donors, tenants, and other constituents.
- Handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
- Ensure duties comply with University policies and applicable federal and state requirements.
- Maintain confidentiality in accordance with FERPA and other applicable requirements.
- Maintain appropriate internal controls and segregation of duties related to the receipt, custody, deposit, recording, and reconciliation of University funds.
- Ensure donations and pledge payments are applied according to approved designations and supporting documentation.
- Assist with audits and provide requested documentation and reports.
- Participate in registration, orientation, commencement, and other University activities as needed.
- Assist with improving billing, collection, student account, and cash-receipt processes.
- Participate in University committees and projects as assigned.
- Maintain knowledge of applicable policies, procedures, regulations, and systems.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Business Office Director and/or Vice President for Business Affairs/CFO.
Required Qualifications
- Associate degree, college coursework, professional certification, or equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field.
- Experience in accounting, bookkeeping, accounts receivable, billing, collections, payment processing, or a related financial area.
- Strong attention to detail, organization, and time-management skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
- Strong written, verbal, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and work independently.
- Professional communication and customer service skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Additional education in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field.
- Experience in a higher education Business Office or student accounts environment.
- Experience with student information systems, payment processing, billing, and collections.
- Knowledge of FERPA and higher education financial practices.
- Experience coordinating or supervising the work of others.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of accounting, accounts receivable, cash-receipt, and reconciliation practices.
- Ability to process and reconcile student payments, donations, pledge payments, rent, and other receipts.
- Ability to interpret and consistently apply policies and maintain audit-ready documentation.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
- Ability to collaborate effectively while maintaining appropriate segregation of duties.
- Commitment to the mission and values of Louisiana Christian University.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods.
- Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and electronically.
- Ability to occasionally lift and carry office materials weighing up to 20 pounds.
- Ability to perform other physical requirements associated with the position.
Applicants should send an application (see link below) and resume, including the names and addresses of three references to Louisiana Christian University HR Dept, 1140 College Drive, Box 381, Pineville, LA 71359.
LCU staff application may be found at https://lcuniversity.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/STAFF-Application2025.pdf
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
Physical Setting:
Work Location: In person
