Student Accounts Administrator/Staff Accountant

Anticipated hiring: Immediate

Westminster School, one of the leading independent boarding schools in the country, is a diverse, close-knit community of approximately 190 employees and 430 male and female students (seventy-five percent boarding, twenty-five percent day students) set on a 200-acre campus in Simsbury, Connecticut.  Since its founding in 1888, Westminster School has been committed to the core values of community, character, balance, and involvement.  Our motto describes our community – “virtute et numine” – by Grit & Grace.

General Summary

Reporting to the Business Manager, the Student Accounts Administrator/Staff Accountant is responsible for the student enrollment process and all student billing and collection.  Working as a first point of contact, this position provides a high level of customer service to Westminster School families.  This is a 12-month, full-time, 35 hours per week position.  Hours for this role are Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:00pm.  Please note in peak periods, generally February through May, PTO may be limited or not allowed depending on workload.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for accurate and timely processing of all payments received, charges, and credits to student the billing system.

• Maintain database for student billing system. Deposit and record all checks, cash, wires, and Smart Tuition payments into database.
• Respond to all family billing inquires in a timely and professional manner; resolve any parent issues with Smart Tuition/BBTM.
• Set up families in Smart Tuition/BBTM once enrolled and administer the Smart Tuition/Tuition Management System payment plans.
• Review status of delinquent accounts and initiate collection action as necessary. Provide timely report to Business Manager, CFO and others, as necessary.
• Responsible for returning student enrollment contract process. Work with Admissions Department on enrolling new students in the Enrollment Management System (EMS) and ensure accurate reconciliation of student enrollment.
• Coordinate contract hold releases with the Deans and Registrar.
• Process daily bank deposits and cash receipts.
• Review and distribute daily transactions posted to bank accounts (wires, stock gifts, returned items).
• Prepare monthly and year-end cash, accounts receivable, and other account reconciliations and journal entries.
• Calculate and remit premiums for tuition insurance, process insurance claims and refunds to families.
• Maintain spreadsheet for financial aid and reconcile to Financial Aid and General Ledger.
• Work with the Director of Financial Aid for students with additional aid granted.
• Fund student debit accounts for students with additional aid as directed by the Director of Financial Aid.
• Process student health insurance for applicable students and work with the Health Center to ensure all international students have appropriate health Insurance.
• Work with the campus store and grill to facilitate student debit accounts, and processing of transactions, including sales and use tax filings.
• Provide general accounting support to the department.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 3-5 years’ experience, preferably in a school or non-profit environment.

• Demonstrated proficiency and familiarity with Microsoft Office and Google Suite as well as a database accounting environment and spreadsheet software fluency.  Familiarity with Blackbaud a plus.
• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills a must.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Must be highly organized and have strong time management capabilities.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion and to serving the needs of a diverse community.
• Ability to manage, and be sensitive to, highly confidential information.
• Must be positive and get along with visitors, vendors, students, and colleagues.