Director, Student Account Services - 999724
- Staff, full-time (32+ hours per week)
Title: Director, Student Account Services - 999724
Position Number: 999724
Unit/Department: Finance
Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience ($60,000-$70,000)
Department Summary:
The Finance division consists of the finance and accounting administrative functions of the University and includes the offices of Accounting, Treasury and Endowment Management, Budgeting, Student Accounts, Payroll, and the Student Financial Aid Office. The Director of Student Account Services oversees the Student Account Services office and reports to the Assistant CFO/Controller. The primary function of the Student Account Services office is to assess, bill, and collect all tuition and related educational fees from students at Drake University.
Job Summary:
The Director of Student Account Services serves as a leader in Drake’s finance function and oversees the Student Account Services function. The Director of Student Account Services manages and develops a staff of 3. The Director of Student Account Services ensures fiscal integrity for Drake through the assessment, billing, and collection of all tuition and related educational fees, which is the majority of Drake’s revenues.
The Director of Student Account Services is tasked with a diverse set of operational and financial duties:
• Manage and oversee the operations of Student Account Services, including supervision of Student Account staff. Execute and monitor assessment, billing, and collection of tuition and related educational fees. Ensure accuracy of student account receivable records. Oversee collections of outstanding student account receivable and loan balances, including student contacts, internal payment plans, and collection agency placements. Regularly correspond with customers regarding student accounts and seek to promote financial literacy.
• Manage and oversee the operations of the Cashier's office, including supervision of Cashier staff. Ensure acceptable cash controls and cash handling policies and procedures. Manage the University's merchant services and assist with monitoring of related PCI compliance requirements.
• Prepare journal entries for entry into the general ledger system by collecting necessary data and preparing appropriate documentation to support the journal entries. Reconcile assigned account balances and verify propriety of postings and classifications. Review and approve journal entries and account reconciliations prepared by staff and other departments. Research and correct account discrepancies as needed. Analyzes financial data and prepares various reports for senior management. Assists with annual audit work papers.
• Manage billing and collection processes for non-student accounts receivable. Monitor receivable balances and place accounts with collection agency placements as necessary. Regularly correspond with customers regarding non-student accounts.
• Foster relationships across campus to enhance collaboration of system integrations, operational improvements, and other campus-wide initiatives. Provides support for software products used within or integrated with the Student Accounts Service and Cashier offices. Serves as system administrator for Banner AR and TouchNet. Assist in the testing of system enhancements and improvements. Troubleshoots and researches system issues.
• Establish and administer policies and procedures related to student accounts and non-student accounts receivable to ensure compliance with University, federal and state regulations and guidelines. Responsible for generation of annual IRS Form 1098-T statements, IRS Form 1042 statements, and other relevant compliance reporting.
The Director of Student Account Services will have the opportunity to significantly influence the successful implementation of Workday’s Student systems with implementation beginning in early fall 2026. The Director of Student Account Services reports to the Assistant CFO/Controller. The Director of Student Account Services is expected to support the University Continuous Improvement Plan initiatives and live out the University Core Values.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree
• 2-3 years of progressive financial management experience
• Experience in billing, collections, or accounts receivable management
• Exceptional Microsoft Excel and general computer skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with others
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail
Preferred Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or similar field of study
• Experience with Workday or similar ERP systems
• Experience within higher education or not-for-profit environments
Job Duties:
- 35% - Manage and oversee the operations of Student Account Services, including supervision of Student Account staff. Execute and monitor assessment, billing, and collection of tuition and related educational fees. Ensure accuracy of student account receivable records. Oversee collections of outstanding student account receivable and loan balances, including student contacts, internal payment plans, and collection agency placements. Regularly correspond with customers regarding student accounts and seek to promote financial literacy. - (Essential)
- 20% - Manage and oversee the operations of the Cashier's office, including supervision of Cashier staff. Ensure acceptable cash controls and cash handling policies and procedures. Manage the University's merchant services and assist with monitoring of related PCI compliance requirements. - (Essential)
- 15% - Prepare journal entries for entry into the general ledger system by collecting necessary data and preparing appropriate documentation to support the journal entries. Reconcile assigned account balances and verify propriety of postings and classifications. Review and approve journal entries and account reconciliations prepared by staff and other departments. Research and correct account discrepancies as needed. Analyzes financial data and prepares various reports for senior management. Assists with annual audit work papers. - (Essential)
- 10% - Manage billing and collection processes for non-student accounts receivable. Monitor receivable balances and place accounts with collection agency placements as necessary. Regularly correspond with customers regarding non-student accounts. - (Essential)
- 10% - Foster relationships across campus to enhance collaboration of system integrations, operational improvements, and other campus-wide initiatives. Provides support for software products used within or integrated with the Student Accounts Service and Cashier offices. Serves as system administrator for Banner AR and TouchNet. Assist in the testing of system enhancements and improvements. Troubleshoots and researches system issues. - (Essential)
- 10% - Establish and administer policies and procedures related to student accounts and non-student accounts receivable to ensure compliance with University, federal and state regulations and guidelines. Responsible for generation of annual IRS Form 1098-T statements, IRS Form 1042 statements, and other relevant compliance reporting. - (Essential)
- 0% - Perform other duties as assigned. - (Essential)
Special Instructions to Applicants:
For consideration, you must apply online. Please include a resume and cover letter.
Review of Applications Begins:
Salary and Benefits:
For faculty positions, selection will depend on the receipt of recommendation confirming the candidate's scholarly achievements and teaching abilities and/or on the candidate's satisfactory passing of a teaching demonstration if selected for an on-campus interview. For staff positions, selection will depend upon careful review of each applicant’s references, education, and, if applicable, experience.
ABOUT DRAKE
Drake University is recognized as a top private university in the Midwest. Drake is a midsize university in Des Moines, Iowa, with an increasingly diverse student body. We are deeply committed to equity and inclusion and creating a sense of belonging for all members of the campus community—faculty, staff, and students alike. More than 900 faculty and staff are part of the Bulldog pack, a close-knit group of colleagues enthusiastic about preparing students to be global citizens and leaders, challenging assumptions. Drake University is not only an outstanding institution of higher learning, it is also a wonderful place to work. We are enthusiastically committed to welcoming new ideas and people into the fold, and to retaining and rewarding stellar employees.
All positions at Drake provide opportunities to contribute to Drake University’s core mission of creating an exceptional learning environment that prepares students of all backgrounds for meaningful lives and professional accomplishments.
STRONG COMMITMENT TO A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY
At Drake University, we don’t just accept differences—we celebrate them, we support them, and we thrive on them for the benefit of our students, our employees, and our community. As reflected in our Core Values, we embrace a diverse and inclusive community.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Drake University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Drake University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. If you would benefit from an accommodation at any point in the recruitment process (including using our online application process), please contact Drake Human Resources (p: 515.271.3133; e: jobs@drake.edu) and let us know how we can assist you.
