Financial Aid Accounting Technician

Company: Allan Hancock College
Location: Santa Maria
Posted on: February 20, 2025

Job Description:

Position Summary
DEFINITION:Under supervision of the Director, Financial Aid, will perform a variety of complex clerical and technical accounting duties associated with student financial aid programs, including the processing, reviewing, and reconciling of financial aid disbursements; assisting students in need of financial aid;values and promotes the mission and vision of the college. CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:Under minimal supervision, this position, is in charge of a variety of highly responsible, difficult, and complex accounting duties, each requiring knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations, as well as federal and state and public educational institution accounting procedures. The incumbent works with a high degree of accuracy in the disbursement of funds for various student financial aid programs and when providing financial aid data to federal and state agencies, as well as for the preparation of federal, state, and institutional reports and audits.
Essential Functions and Qualifications

• Processes weekly financial aid disbursements; reviews student eligibility and amounts for accuracy; researches and reconciles variances; makes appropriate adjusting entries to resolve balance discrepancies; submitsfederal aid originations to the Department of Education;Transmits electronic file information between the district, U.S. Department of Education and state agency computer systems for the purpose of obtaining and reporting student and program information in support of the financial aid department.Identifies student enrollment changes that result in an overpayment; Ensures the reconciliation and release of appropriate scholarship funds through encumbrances and accounts payable process and maintainsaccurate records and files.Generates reports to review and analyze over-award situations based on studentwithdrawals, non-passing grades, and attendance.Compose and distribute a variety of correspondence to students related to such areas as overpayments, Return to Title IV (R2T4), loan funding options, and negotiated repayment agreements: refer unresolved R2T4 overpayments to the Department of Education Default Resolutions Department, and notifies the Financial Aid Specialist of loan recipients requiring loan exit counseling; Identifies students for reporting to NSLDS Transfer Monitoring list to monitor student's financial aid history; review NSLDS alert files for multiple schools reporting to prevent overpayment;Performs the clock hour calculations to determine the appropriate federal financial aid the student is eligible to receive; identifies students enrolled in clock hour programs and adjusts their aid accordingly;Creates and maintainsaccurate, timely, and complete recordkeeping processes, ensuring federal and state grant and loan reporting requirements and restrictions are observed;Monitors grant and loan budgets, deposits, and expenses for compliance; reconciles and tracks accounts for all financial aid programs; monitors the disbursement, reconciliation and collection of funds in accordance with federal, state, and district guidelines; reports grant and loan expenditures to the appropriate federal or state agencies;Identifies students, classes, and programs that are exceptions to funding rules to avoid potential overpayments; Establishes disbursement schedule, freeze dates, other critical financial dates for the school year. Establishes and maintains, tracks student eligibility and reconciles records of federal work-study programs and coordinates with Human Resources, Payroll, and appropriate supervisor to allocate Federal Work Study funds; balances FWS timesheets monthly. Compiles, prepares, and maintains reports files and records and correspondence for the College's Federal Work Study (FWS) ProgramPrepares various financial reports and summary information; participates in audits as necessary. Performs year end close out reconciliation and reporting responsibilities related to financial aid programs.Interprets federal, state, and college rules, requirements and guidelines to aid students in completion of financial aid applications and forms.Performs other related work as required.Knowledge of:General practices, procedures and techniques related to financial aid processing, disbursement, reporting and eligibility.Methods, procedures and terminology used in technical accounting work. Record retrieval and storage systems. Principles, methods and procedures of operating computers and peripheral equipment. Financial and statistical record-keeping techniques. Principles and practices of data research, processing and evaluation.Applicable laws, codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures for related to federal, state, and local financial aid programs;Rules, regulations, and procedures for federal, state, and local financial aid programs;Modern office practices, procedures,and equipment;Basic methods and practices of full charge bookkeeping, record keeping and reporting;College, state and federal standards and requirements related to financial aid.Word processing and data entry skills are essential;Correct English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation; formattingDemonstratedAbility to:Perform financial and statistical clerical work;Make arithmetical computations quickly and accurately;Operate a computer with speed and accuracy;Understand and carry out oral and written directions;Work independently, with the ability to prioritize;Prepare clear and accurate financial statements and reports and analyzeaccounting data;Use complex, integrated financial aid delivery system to input and retrieve data with speed and accuracy.Working Conditions:
• Duties are primarily performed in an office environment, at a desk or at a computer.
• The incumbent will experience interruptions while performing normal duties during the regular workday.
• The incumbent will have contact, in person, by email, or on the telephone, with executive, management, supervisory, academic and classified staff and the general public.Physical Demands:
• Typically may sit for extended periods of time.
• Operates a computer and software programs.
• Communicates over the telephone, via email, and in person.
• Regularly lifts, carries and/or moves objects weighing up to 10 pounds.Special Qualification:A sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students and to staff and students with disabilities.
  Minimum Qualifications
  Education and Experience:An associate of science degree or certificate in accounting and three years of increasingly responsible financial record-keeping experience or any equivalent combination of training and experience.
  Additional Information
  
  The desired start date is March/April 2025.This a full-time, 37-hours-per-week, 12-month, classified position. Work Schedule: Monday through Thursday, 2:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Friday, 2:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. To be considered for this position, the candidate must submit a completed application which includes employment history, no later than Sunday, March 9, 2025, by 11:59 PST.
• Cover letter;
• A current and complete resume/CV of education and professional experience.
• Transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable for the application process). Official transcripts are required at the time of hire.
  Allan Hancock College provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.Allan Hancock College will not sponsor any visa applications.
  
  
  
  
  
  

Keywords: Allan Hancock College, Santa Maria , Financial Aid Accounting Technician, Accounting, Auditing , Santa Maria, California