Director Of Student Financial Services

Welcome to the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS)!

According to APS 4014, Fiscal Roles and Responsibilities, the position of Student Financial Services (SFS) Director is a Fiscal Principal reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Accounting- Controller. The Director provides strategic leadership for Student Financial Services and will coordinate with Division of Student Enrollment Management and across campus to ensure coordinated student communication and an exceptional student experience. This position is responsible for: the daily operations of the SFS office; ongoing recording and review of financial data; compliance with all federal, state and University regulations and policies; production of accurate data, reports and analysis. The Student Financial Services Director will direct and support the development of fiscal controls, coordinating with the campus Controller (Controller's Office). 

Who We Are:

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is one of four campuses in the University of Colorado system and is home to over 9,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students. We have a strong focus in fueling student success by creating, using, and maintaining a multitude of different offices and programs. Overall, UCCS is constantly focused of preparing our students to have success in the future, and we understand that every single employee on our campus has a significant effect on that focus. Find more information about working at UCCS here: https://hr.uccs.edu/work-at-uccs.

The city, which was recently ranked as the number nine Best Places to Live by U.S. News & World Report in 2023, known as Olympic City USA, rests at the base of Pikes Peak, the inspiration for the song "America the Beautiful" and a must-see for residents and visitors alike. With a mild climate and 247 days of sunshine each year, the Springs boasts some of the state's best recreation opportunities. Find out more about living in Colorado Springs through the Visit Colorado Springs page: https://www.visitcos.com/.

Job Duties:

The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to: 

• Review and monitor organizational structure, workflow, and operating procedures to nurture a student-centered culture throughout SFS and foster a cooperative environment that serves the University community.
• Develop and maintain sound internal fiscal controls for Student Financial Services.
• Create and maintain a data framework that ensures accuracy, compliance, effective operations and reporting.
• Routinely review documents and conduct quality checks.
• Participate on committees, in groups and professional organizations both internally and internally.
• Monitor and manage all processing, outreach, technology and communications on student and non-student accounts for billing and collections.
• Interpret and maintain compliance with federal and state legislation, rules, regulations, institutional policies and procedures. Examples include bankruptcy laws, ACH rules, personally identifiable data protection, etc.
• Coordinate with the Controller's Office to ensure financial targets are achieved and monthly reconciliations are performed.
• Ensure GAAP and GASB accounting standards are met when recording Student Financial information.
• Manage the daily operations of Student Financial Services (SFS), including supervision of all department employees.
• Operate cashier office for the campus, including but not limited to: processing student tuition/fee payments, accepting and processing department deposits to the bank, managing and reconciling the campus bank depository accounts.
• Responsible for fiscal reporting and accounting for student funds awarded by the U.S. Department of Education, State of Colorado, and other federal, state and private sponsors. To include drawing and reconciling funds from the federal G5 system.
• Perform accounting, calculation and request for College Opportunity funds from the State of Colorado.
• Maintain and oversee all Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI bill processing in coordination with the Office of Veteran and Military Student Affairs, to include SFS staff serving as a V.A. Certifying Official, authorized to sign and submit Department of Veteran Affairs documents.
• Accurate and timely calculation and billing Of Student tuition and fees. Determine appropriate methods to accommodate changes in required calculation Of Student charges. Ensure accurate creation and complete testing of the tuition and fee rate table and associated reports.
• Direct Oracle PeopleSoft CU-SIS Student Financial module for the campus. Review CU-SIS Item-type requests for compliance with policy and procedures to promote accurate accounting.
• Oversee and implement the tuition payment plans, collection policies, external collection agency interactions, campus bad debt estimates, project cash inflow from the collection of receivables.
• Control the disbursement Of Student refunds by verifying validity and accuracy of disbursements in CU-SIS.
• Maintain appropriate records and documents for compliance audits. Generate documentation related to external audit requests for SFS.
• Other duties as assigned.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Job Competencies: 

• Knowledge and application of GAAP, GASB, and higher education accounting principles, concepts, and practices.
• Knowledge of federal and state bankruptcy laws.
• Knowledge of cash management principles, payment card industry security regulations and ACH rules.
• Knowledge of US Department of Education regulations.
• Ability and experience in supervising professional level staff, leading and managing work groups and committees.
• Ability to plan, organize and meet deadlines, work under pressure and organize multiple projects or tasks.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to analyze financial data, determine its meaning and how the information relates to the overall operations.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret financial reports, and legal documents.
• Ability to communicate effectively both in writing and orally to staff and senior administration.
• Strong interpersonal and human relations skills.
• Strong commitment to organizational change through such techniques as business process re-engineering and change management.
• Experience with highly automated financial management systems and the processes required to make these systems function.

What We Offer

Work Location: On-Site

This position has been determined to be exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Salary Range: Generally starting at $83,550 to $115,242 per year

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs offers excellent benefits, some of which include:

• Medical insurance, with the lowest cost option being $0 to the employee
• Dental, Vision, Life and Disability insurance
• Generous paid vacation and sick time accruals (14.67 hours of vacation and 10 hours of sick accrued per month, prorated if part-time)
• Mandatory retirement plans. Employees contribute 5% of their annual compensation. CU doubles that and contributes 10%
• Tuition Assistant Benefit available to you or a dependent
• Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of employment
• Off Campus Housing Resources

Tentative Search Timeline:

• Priority will be given to applications submitted by 3/13/2024. However, this posting will remain open until filled.
• The potential dates for interviews with the search committee will be the week of 3/18/2024.
• The potential dates for interviews with the supervisor and appointing authority will be the week of 3/25/2024
• The potential employee start date is 4/15/2024.

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs is committed to providing a safe and productive learning, living and working community. To assist in achieving this goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history check. 

UCCS is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, the University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation or political philosophy in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. Alternative formats of this ad can be provided upon request for individuals with disabilities by contacting the Office of Human Resources at (719) 255-3372.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work.

Please note that while the position details both required qualifications as well as preferred qualifications below, we want applicants to be aware that they do not need to have all of the preferred qualifications to be considered for this position. If you meet the minimum qualifications, have passion for the work, along with experience in a related field, you are encouraged to apply. We encourage on-the-job training for any additional skills or knowledge that become relevant to the position.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related field. 
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in higher education financial operations, including accounting, budget, bursar, loan administration, or financial aid with at least one-year specific bursar/loan administration experience.
• Three (3) years of professional supervisory accounting or financial experience.
• Experience in process re-engineering, change management, and implementing new processes/techniques.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to move. Tasks may involve using a computer continuously for long periods of time. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

 Note: This job description is intended to outline the general responsibilities, qualifications, and physical requirements of this role at UCCS. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required. The university reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and responsibilities as needed to meet the university's needs.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the established essential functions and meet the physical and environment demands described satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, physical and environmental conditions required of the employee on the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, physical and environmental demands.

Applicants with disabilities: If you have a mental or physical impairment, which limits one of your major life activities (e.g. walking, hearing, seeing, speaking, breathing, or learning) and require special accommodations for testing or interviewing, it is your responsibility to notify the office scheduling the interview or test at least 3 working days before the interview or test date.  If you need special accommodations at the work site, you must notify the appointing authority or Human Resources.