Accountant – Student Billing and Accounts Receivable
Summary of Position
The Accountant serves as the primary point of contact for the student billing office and is responsible for the timely and accurate billing of students each semester for tuition, room, meals, and fees. This role also manages the processing of all cash receipts. The accountant communicates with students and families, addressing billing inquiries and account balances in alignment with college policy, fostering a positive experience that enhances student satisfaction and supports retention. This role actively oversees the collection of delinquent student accounts, collaborating with third-party providers on accounts, including Perkins loans, Allegheny loans, and past-due tuition. The accountant collaborates regularly with cross-functional departments to ensure the accuracy of student billing account activity. This position also emphasizes continuous improvement by enhancing billing processes, communication strategies, and operational efficiency -contributing to the department’s effectiveness and the College’s retention goals.
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Key Responsibilities
- Customer Service and Communication – Serve as the initial point of contact for students and families, responding to inquiries via multiple channels, including phone, e-mail, and in-person consultations, clearly and professionally regarding outstanding balances, payment plans, account inquiries, and financial holds. Access and interpret customer account information within Colleague, Nelnet, CBord, and ECSI to provide clear explanations and assist with billing questions, all while following FERPA confidentiality regulations. Respond to inquiries, interpret charges and policies, and resolve any customer issues with tact and patience. Initiate appropriate transactions to satisfy customer requests and meet internal accounting procedures. Maintain meticulous records to facilitate the accurate escalation and resolution of complex billing issues. Proactively implement programs to improve communication, operational efficiency, and revenue collection, contributing to departmental efforts to enhance student satisfaction and retention. Actively participate in the review and development of materials for the departmental website and other billing-related communications.
- Account Management & Billing – Actively manage and oversee the accurate and timely billing of student accounts using the Colleague database system. Ensure that financial aid is properly applied, tuition, room, meals, and fees are correctly reflected, and adjustments for other fines or charges are updated. Regularly review and reconcile accounts, ensuring the accuracy of charges, payments, and financial aid by collaborating with cross-functional departments. Manage and monitor payment plans and overdue balances, applying late fees and initiating financial holds as needed.
- Cash Receipts Management – Ensure the seamless and accurate processing of all daily College receipts, encompassing cash, check, ACH, and wire payments. Responsibly post these receipts to designated accounts, including student accounts, student deposits, collections, and departmental accounts. Uphold the highest standards of record-keeping to guarantee the integrity and complete documentation of all financial transactions.
- Collections Management – Lead and manage the full range of collection procedures and record-keeping, including communications through email, phone, and mail correspondence, and coordination with third-party collection servicers. Manage accounts with third-party collectors (past due tuition, Perkins loans, and Allegheny loans), ensuring strict adherence to federal regulations and College policies and practices. Diagnose and resolve billing disputes and perform investigations into billing discrepancies. Ensure timely collection of overdue balances while maintaining a customer-friendly approach.
- Process Improvement & Operational Efficiency – Actively engage in identifying and recommending improvements to billing processes, customer service strategies, and operational workflows. Lead or participate in departmental projects aimed at streamlining billing procedures, enhancing communication, and improving overall revenue retention. Collaborate with other departments to implement process improvements that support both internal efficiencies and external student-facing services.
- Back-up & Additional Responsibilities – Act as the central point of communication and support for internal departments concerning deposits and employee meal plan administration. Manage the Student Health insurance program. Answer phones and manage departmental inquiries to ensure prompt and efficient handling of requests. Provide back-up support for student ID issuance and assist with ASG Finance Supervisor responsibilities, as needed.
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Experience and Qualifications
- Associate’s or vocational/technical degree required; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
- 1–3 years of related experience required; 4–7 years preferred.
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Required Knowledge
Experience in bookkeeping, accounts receivable, collections, cash receipts, customer service, and/or computer applications. General accounting concepts and experience.
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Required Skills and Abilities
Strong computing and analytical skills, excellent interpersonal skills and communication abilities. Experience creating and managing Excel spreadsheets.
Ability to multitask and execute multiple projects and meet deadlines. Ability to work in a team environment. Provide exceptional customer service to students, faculty and staff, as well as develop excellent interdepartmental relationships.
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Compensation
Starting salary will be competitive, based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.
Expected starting salary: $48,000 annually
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THE HIRING PROCESS
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and provide contact information for three references to the Office of Human Resources, Allegheny College, 520 N. Main Street, Meadville, PA 16335 or by e-mail to employment@allegheny.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. An offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.
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ALLEGHENY COLLEGE
Allegheny College, founded in 1815, is one of the nation’s oldest and most innovative four-year colleges where multidisciplinary learning breaks the conventional mold. It is one of the few colleges in the United States with a unique requirement to choose both a major and minor for graduation, to provide students with a cross-disciplinary path in the sciences and humanities for educational depth and intellectual growth. Located in Meadville, Pennsylvania, Allegheny College is one of 44 colleges featured in Loren Pope’s “Colleges That Change Lives.” In its 2025 rankings, U.S. News & World Report recognized Allegheny College as one of the country’s 100 top national liberal arts colleges — and including in the top 25 Undergraduate Teaching, Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects, First-Year Experience, and Senior Capstone.
Allegheny’s undergraduate residential education prepares students for successful, meaningful lives by promoting students’ intellectual, moral, and social development and encouraging personal and civic responsibility. Allegheny’s faculty and staff combine high academic standards and a commitment to the exchange of knowledge with a supportive approach to learning. Graduates are equipped to think critically and creatively, write clearly, speak persuasively, and meet challenges in a diverse, interconnected world. Allegheny College is deeply committed to creating an inclusive community that actively challenges racism, sexism, heterosexism, religious bigotry, and other forms of bias (see Allegheny College Statement of Community).
Allegheny College is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity. The College does not discriminate, and will not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, creed, national/ethnic origin, ancestry, veterans, handicap or disability as those terms are defined under applicable law, or members of other underrepresented groups.
Allegheny College is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact the Director of Human Resources
Visit the Allegheny College Web Site at www.allegheny.edu
posted 09/25/25