Student Accounts Support Specialist
Title: Student Accounts Support Specialist
Location: Bristol, RI
Category: Professional and Clerical
Job Type: Full-time Regular
Posted On: Tue Jul 21 2026
Job Description:
Reporting to the Associate Bursar, the Student Accounts Support Specialist is responsible for providing comprehensive operational, account resolution, cashiering, and customer service support within the Bursar's Office. The Student Accounts Support Specialist serves as a primary resource for students and families requiring individualized assistance. Working collaboratively across campus partners the Specialist facilitates resolution of complex student account issues that may impede registration, housing eligibility, financial aid retention, graduation clearance, or student persistence. The Specialist serves as a primary point of contact for specialized communications, refund processing and interdepartmental issue resolution while providing operational support across all core Student Accounts functions.
Student Account Resolution and Student Advocacy
Serve as the primary contact for students and families requiring individualized assistance with complex account matters.
Research and resolve billing disputes, account discrepancies, housing-related charges, registration issues, and other account concerns.
Assist students in resolving registration, transcript, housing, diploma, and financial holds by identifying outstanding requirements and coordinating solutions with appropriate campus partners.
Work directly with students carrying significant balances to identify payment solutions, review special circumstances, and support continued enrollment.
Review and coordinate specialty payment arrangements, Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), approved waivers, and account exceptions.
Review accounts for diploma clearance and coordinate approvals with relevant departments.
Serve as the primary Student Accounts liaison for issues requiring collaboration among Financial Aid, Housing, the Registrar, Academic Advising, Student Life, and other University offices.
Partner with Financial Aid to support students experiencing aid delays or eligibility concerns related to incomplete documentation, FAFSA requirements, verification, SAP status, enrollment levels, or other compliance matters.
Coordinate outreach and intervention efforts for students whose financial, enrollment, or account-related circumstances may impact registration, housing eligibility, financial aid, graduation clearance, or retention.
Facilitate communication among students, families, and university departments to ensure timely issue resolution and positive student outcomes.
Refund Processing
Expedite student-initiated refund requests in accordance with university procedures and federal regulations.
Initiate refunds for withdrawn, graduated, and non-registered students.
Review supporting documentation, verify account activity, and coordinate approval workflows.
Monitor and track refund activity to ensure timely disbursement and accurate account reconciliation.
Assist with researching refund discrepancies and responding to student inquiries regarding refund status.
Cashiering and Payment Processing
Provide full backup support for all cashiering functions.
Receive, verify, and record cash, check, wire, scholarship, and electronic payments.
Complete morning cashiering functions including safe counts and cash verification.
Reconcile daily cash activity and prepare supporting documentation.
Assist with daily bank deposits and bank reconciliation processes.
Research and resolve payment posting discrepancies and related account issues.
Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with departmental cash-handling procedures.
Communications and Customer Service
Serve as the primary responder for the Bursar's Office shared email account.
Respond to student, parent, faculty, and staff inquiries received through email, telephone, and in-person interactions.
Communicate account requirements, deadlines, payment options, and University policies in a clear and professional manner.
Prepare and distribute targeted communications regarding billing, registration holds, payment obligations, financial aid deficiencies, and account action items.
Manage returned mail processes and maintain accurate demographic and correspondence records.
This is a full-time (40 hours) 9-month PSSA Level 3 Clerical Union position.
Job Requirements:
High School Diploma or equivalent.
One to three years of recent accounting office experience.
Demonstrable computing skills and efficiency utilizing complex computing applications on the systems and programs of University's choice, including, but not limited to Microsoft Office applications and the University's Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
Proficient keyboarding skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Associate's Degree in Business Administration, Accounting or a related field.
Five years of recent accounting office experience.
In depth technical experience in setting up billing systems.
Familiarity with academic ERP systems, preferably Ellucian (Colleague).
Knowledge of higher education regulations, practices and organizational structure.
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Excel.
At the University's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be accepted where the candidate can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the University, an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.
Additional Information:
Roger Williams University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and committed to a diverse workforce. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other basis protected by applicable state and federal law. For information on our Non-discrimination policy, visit .
RWU prohibits all forms of discrimination on the basis of sex in its education programs and activities and is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) and its implementing regulations not to discriminate in such a manner. Complaints of Title IX sexual harassment should be reported to the Title IX Coordinator at the contact information listed below. Details regarding the formal complaint process can be found here: . All complaints of sexual harassment will be taken seriously and responded to promptly. TITLE IX COORDINATOR: Dr. Jen Stanley, 1 Old Ferry Road, Bristol, RI 02809 / Phone Number: (401) 254-3123 /Email Address:
Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
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