Stanford University, recognized as one of the most prestigious and innovative academic institutions in the world, has an opening for a Financial Analyst in the Department of Student Financial Services, a unit of the Division of Student Affairs.
This Division, with students as our focus, engages with a range of constituents including faculty, staff, parents, alumni, as well as other groups in the external community. Student Affairs staff act with integrity in pursuit of the highest professional standards, as we educate, serve and learn. These guiding principles, and the overall quality of Stanford’s faculty, students and staff, make it an intensely creative and rewarding place to work.
JOB PURPOSE
The Student Financial Analyst plays a key role in supporting the financial operations, compliance, and service excellence within the Office of Student Financial Services. This position supports external third party billing and collections, payment processing, and student collection activities. The role analyzes and reconciles financial data, resolves discrepancies, ensures accurate account management, and contributes to reporting, forecasting, and process improvements while ensuring compliance with university policies and external regulations.
CORE DUTIES
Perform structured analysis and data reporting to support external third party billing, collections, payment processing, and student collection activities. Identify, clarify, and investigate discrepancies or exceptions across third party billing, receivables, and payment data. Contribute to forecasting and analyses to be used for key activities or decision making.
The position is responsible for resolving discrepancies between invoices and third-party authorizations and proactively preventing future billing issues. It also includes analyzing third-party payments and ensuring they are accurately applied to the correct students on the corporate accounts.
Maintain, reconcile, review, and validate financial data sets related to third party invoices, payments, student receivables, and collection activity. Utilize financial reports, databases, and key financial information to support accurate posting, third party billing, payment processing, account resolution, and compliance.
Run and analyze financial reports from multiple systems and assist in preparing management information reports for monitoring trends and operational. Use third-party invoicing reports to identify trends or potential issues. Maintain the third-party sponsor database to ensure accurate, consistent, and compliant billing data.
Perform preliminary analysis of third-party billing accounts, identify exceptions, and recommend solutions, including potential policy updates or the development of new processes. Beyond addressing immediate problems, the role is responsible for conducting critical analysis to develop long-term process improvements for third-party billing. The position must understand the complexities of the third-party billing process, identify sponsors that are unable to comply with institutional policies, and provide recommendations for next steps or new processes.
Communicate with sponsored students and external sponsors via email, video, or telephone using effective, clear, and professional communication. Assist with collection activities for student accounts, third-party billing accounts, and student loans; activities may include collection campaigns involving phone calls, mailed letters, mass emails, and other outreach methods.
Ensure third party billing complies with internal practices and requirements. Ensure student collection activities are compliant with internal practices and external regulations.
Monitor, and resolve support tickets and service requests in accordance with service-level expectations. Troubleshoot and analyze routine and complex errors. Serve as a resource for team members on detailed or escalated issues.
Provide operational support across Student Financial Services functions as needed to meet departmental goals and deadlines. Participate in special projects, training, documentation, and cross-functional initiatives. May supervise the day-to-day activities and provide on the job coaching and training to other staff, as needed.
The position will provide backup support for student and loan collections, including responding to inquiries from students and external collection agencies. It will assist with collection activities for student accounts, third-party billing accounts, and student loans, which may include phone campaigns, mailed notices, mass emails, and other outreach methods. The role may also serve as backup for payment processing and other financial tasks. Cross-training is expected to ensure the position can assist with general student inquiries as needed.
Ensure FERPA and all institutional, state, and federal regulations and policies are upheld in all billing, collection, communication, and data management activities.
* Other duties may also be assigned
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Education & Experience:
Bachelor’s degree and two years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience with student information systems, financial systems, and support ticket platforms preferred.
Strong analytical skills with a high level of attention to detail. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
Commitment to accuracy, service excellence, and continuous improvement.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact professionally with students, colleagues, and sponsors.
Knowledge of FERPA, GAAP, Title IV regulations, and applicable state and federal collection laws.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Advanced proficiency in business applications, such as Microsoft Office suite, especially Excel.
User knowledge and demonstrated experience of financial systems; internet and computer literacy.
Understanding and ability to apply basic accounting skills and concepts.
Demonstrated communication skills, including ability to prepare materials for and clearly and effectively communicate information to internal audiences and client groups.
Basic project management skills and ability to contribute as part of a project team.
Certifications and Licenses:
None
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*
Constantly sitting.
Frequently perform desk-based computer tasks, use telephone, writing by hand, sort/file paperwork.
* Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources by submitting a contact form.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Routine extended working hours during peak cycles; travel to school/unit sites across university.
Hybrid work - required to work onsite two days a week and telecommute within area of intended employment at employer’s discretion.
WORK STANDARDS
Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.
The expected pay range for this position is $95,090 - $97,000 annum.
Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.
At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.
We invite you to apply by clicking on the “Apply for Job” button. To be considered, please submit your résumé and a one-page cover letter along with your online application.
Why Stanford is for you:
Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:
Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
A healthier you. Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
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.
Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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