Posting Category:
Sponsorship for Work authorization is not available for this position.
Serves as the University Bursar's subject-matter expert for student loan fund accounting, overseeing a portfolio of nearly $60 million in federal and institutional loan funds at the Urbana-Champaign and Chicago campuses. Under the direction of the Director of Business Operations, manages the full accounting cycle for nearly 100 Perkins, HRSA Health Professions, and institutional loan funds, ensuring accurate integration between Banner and the University's loan servicer. Prepares federal compliance reporting, as well as quarterly and annual reporting to University Accounting and Financial Reporting, and partners with Financial Aid on the fund projections that determine annual lending capacity. Also supports core accounts receivable operations for the University System, including daily feeder processing from University payment portals, returned check resolution, refund reconciliation, and the Banner data reporting that supports Business Operations' analysis and decision-making. Exercises independent judgment to safeguard the integrity of high-dollar fund balances and ensure compliance with university, state, and federal requirements.
Coordinate and prepare required annual federal reports, including the Perkins FISAP for the U.S. Department of Education and Annual Operating Reports for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Also prepare and analyze annual portfolio reports summarizing loan balances, collections, and default rates for each campus. 15% Coordinate and prepare quarterly financial reports on the student loan portfolio for University Accounting and Financial Reporting (UAFR), ensuring accurate financial data for use in University-level financial reporting. 15% Reconcile refunds issued from student and general (non-student) accounts receivable each month for all three campuses, ensuring refunds in the billing system match the University's accounting records. 10% Manage and support daily accounts receivable data processing activities within Banner and related integrated systems, including coordinating the preparation, review, and submission of feeder data received from multiple University payment portals. 10% Coordinate and administer returned check processes, including the organization, investigation, processing, communication, and documentation of all NSF/returned checks for all System Office locations, ensuring timely resolution of discrepancies. 10% Verify at the start of each month that loan disbursements and borrower payments transfer accurately between the University's financial system (Banner) and its third-party loan servicer. Independently research discrepancies and coordinate corrections of missing or inaccurate transactions. 5% Manage and reconcile the three holding (clearing) accounts through which loan payments and account adjustments pass before posting to individual loan funds, monitoring account activity and ensuring all transactions clear accurately and promptly. 5% Coordinate monthly reconciliations of each federal and University-funded loan fund, verifying that balances agree between Banner and the loan servicer's records, investigating discrepancies, and implementing appropriate corrections. 5% Analyze and project available funds monthly for each loan fund and provide financial projections to Financial Aid to support decisions regarding annual student loan funding availability. 5% Support and coordinate financial activities associated with the closeout of the federal Perkins Loan program, including verifying that loan cancellations post correctly and assisting with the transfer of remaining loans and cash balances to the U.S. Department of Education. 5% Calculate, review, and record annual financial allowances, including the administrative allowance and the allowance for doubtful (uncollectible) accounts, ensuring accurate financial reporting and supporting documentation. 5% Coordinate federal funding activities when a federal health professions loan fund experiences low cash balances, including receiving and reviewing the Notice of Award (NOA) from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and coordinating the drawdown of awarded federal funds into the appropriate loan fund. 5% Develop, generate, and maintain Banner data downloads, reports, and supporting datasets used by Business Operations for financial reporting, reconciliation, analysis, and operational decision-making. 5%
Bachelor's degree in business administration, management, or a field related to the position. Two (2) years of professional business, financial, and/or managerial work experience.(NOTE: A Master's Degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for one (1) year (12 months) of work experience.)
Preferred: Demonstrated financial and accounting expertise to conduct analyses of financial documents/reports and related processing systems. Proficiency with SQL and report-writing or query tools (e.g., DBeaver). Knowledge of Banner programs/applications and work experience acquired in a higher education institution, preferably the University of Illinois.
Specialized knowledge of professional accounting practices and applicable state/federal guidelines and regulations. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to prepare financial reports that provide detailed information with clarity. Strong interpersonal skills. Demonstrated problem-solving capability. Excellent organizational and multitasking skills. Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and working knowledge of other Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, Outlook).
This is a 100% Full Time Civil Service Business/Administrative Associate position. The expected start date is as soon as possible. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position. System Office jobs such as this one are not eligible for the Referral Program.
The budgeted salary range for the position is $60,000.00 - 65,000.00. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
For full consideration, please click the APPLY NOW link on this page to submit an application on the university portal accepting applications for this system office position by 6 pm on 11/9/2026. For further information about this specific position, please contact Bree Smith at cbsmith@uillinois.edu.
System Human Resource Services
(217) 333-2600
erhr@uillinois.edu
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the System Human Resource Services at 217-333-2600, or by emailing ADAaccessibility@uillinois.edu.
Requisition ID: 9001050
Job Category: Civil Service
Campus Location: Urbana
