Community College of Rhode Island
Interim Bursar (Temporary)
Location: Rhode Island Warwick, RI
Duration: 4 6-month assignment or until permanent position is filled
Hours: M-F Up to 35 hours per week
Position Summary
The Interim Bursar is responsible for the leadership, administration, and daily operation of the College's student accounts, billing, collections, cashiering, and receivables functions for the Community College of Rhode Island. Reporting directly to the Controller, the Bursar will oversee financial operations supporting the Bursar and OneStop offices, ensure compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, maintain strong internal controls, and provide strategic leadership to maximize operational efficiency, student service, and revenue collection.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead and oversee Bursar Office operations and staff across all campus locations, ensuring effective management of student billing, cashiering, collections, accounts receivable, disbursements, internal controls, and customer service standards.
- Coordinate, train, and support the financial operations of the OneStop offices, ensuring accurate processing of student financial transactions, consistent application of policies and procedures, and exceptional service to students and stakeholders.
- Manage student accounts receivable, third-party contracts, agency funding agreements, and collection activities to ensure timely payment and accurate accounting.
- Oversee all cashiering, payment processing, refunds, payment plans, and related student account transactions.
- Administer and maintain Bursar-related functions within the College's ERP and payment processing systems, including system testing, configuration, user maintenance, and process improvements.
- Ensure the accuracy and integrity of student billing, tuition and fee assessments, payment application, refund processing, holds management, ACH and credit card processing, and drop-for-nonpayment activities.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, audit, and regulatory requirements, including FERPA, PCI standards, IRS reporting (1098T) requirements, and institutional policies.
- Collaborate with Finance, Financial Aid, Enrollment Services, Information Technology, and other departments to support institutional objectives and enhance student service.
- Communicate effectively with students, parents, faculty, staff, and external constituents regarding student account matters and financial policies.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory or management experience
- Direct experience in higher education bursar, student accounts, or OneStop operations is required.
- Demonstrated experience using Banner Student, Banner Accounts Receivable, or a comparable higher education student accounts/ERP system is required.
- Strong knowledge of accounts receivable management, billing, collections, cashiering, and internal controls.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.
- Experience with TouchNet, Augusoft, or similar systems.
- Knowledge of Financial Aid regulations, FERPA, PCI compliance standards, and IRS 1098-T reporting requirements.
- Experience supporting multi-campus operations.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a proven higher education business officer with substantial experience managing student accounts receivable, billing, collections, and cashiering functions within a college or university environment. They will possess strong leadership skills, deep knowledge of Banner or comparable higher education student accounts systems, and the ability to quickly assess operations, strengthen controls, and provide continuity during a temporary assignment.