2024 Bursar Fundamentals (Recordings)

2024 Bursar Fundamentals (Recordings)

Recorded On: 02/20/2024

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The Bursar Fundamentals program is perfect for those new to the business office, student financial services, or the higher education workplace, or those who want a refresher on the core responsibilities of the student accounts area. Attendees will gain an understanding of the topics bursars need to be aware of, such as financial aid, refunds, processing payments, and collections. An emphasis will be placed on customer service, including ways to communicate with students and financial literacy education. Join our experienced faculty members for this concentrated learning experience. The program will conclude with a conversation on the trends student accounts staff should have their eyes on for the future.

Learning Objectives

After this program, you will be able to—

  • Discuss the partnerships within your institution that will be critical to effectively managing student accounts receivables
  • Identify ways to effectively communicate with students and families
  • Review the core functions of the student accounts office

Sponsor

NACUBO thanks the following supporter of this event:

TouchNet

Session Info

The High-Level View of the Bursar's Office

After introductions from the faculty, this session focuses on daily operations from the view of a director. Areas of responsibility such as organizational structure, process mapping, and separation of duties will be discussed. Student account systems and records are addressed, along with the various ways institutions invoice students and families. You will also hear which partners—within and outside your institution—will be key to your success in student accounts.

Financial Aid and Refunds

Learn the ins and outs of Federal Student Aid, including notifications, disbursements, book vouchers, and prior-year charges. Attendees also review reconciliations and the over-awarding of aid. Additionally, learn how you can prevent student aid fraud. Finally, discuss the management of a student account and learn how to issue Title IV credit balance refunds through multiple channels. Presenters also briefly review the Return to Title IV process.

Payments and Payment Plans

Explore the many ways that bursars can accept payments. Credit card convenience fees, PCI compliance, and chargebacks are highlighted. We also cover internal and external payment plans, examining the benefits of each and how they can help your students.

Collections and Loan Administration

Managing receivables is a key function of the student accounts office. Get an overview of the federal and institutional loan program management. Presenters review different types of loans—including federal, private, and institutional. Then, examine in-house and outsourced collection processes as well as reporting functions required to assure compliance with federal regulations. Presenters also engage in a discussion around the latest trends in collections.

Customer Service, Financial Literacy Education, and the Latest Trends

Customer service is part of everything you do. Examine customer service philosophies and avenues of delivery. Learn how to be proactive in your communications and review different messaging paths, including online account information, publications, and email notifications—for both students and families. Attendees also review why financial literacy education programs are essential to student success. Finally, a short summary of the latest trends in the field is shared, followed by a wrap-up and an opportunity to answer attendees’ questions.

DeAhn Baucom

University Cashier

UNC Chapel Hill

DeAhn Baucom has been the university cashier (aka bursar) at UNC Chapel Hill since 2002. In that time, she has guided multiple system implementations and navigated an ever-changing regulatory and higher education environment. Baucom has co-presented and facilitated multiple NACUBO Student Financial Services sessions on a variety of topics and the Bursar Fundamentals program.

Brandon Cline-Taskey

Director, University Business Office

James Madison University

Brandon Cline-Taskey has been in the JMU business office since 2004. Upon graduating from JMU, he was originally hired as the IT manager for the office. His first project was to implement an electronic billing system. Since that time, he has always looked for ways to streamline the university business office's (UBO) operations. Cline-Taskey became the university bursar in 2014 and was hired as director of the UBO in 2021. As director of the UBO, Cline-Taskey has focused on finding ways to reduce student accounts receivables through targeted communication with students and parents. 

During his time in the business office, Cline-Taskey has led many roundtable discussions for the Bursars of Virginia’s public institutions. He is a current member of the NACUBO SFS Council and has presented on behalf of NACUBO on a variety of student financial topics. He completed a master of science degree in 2011.

Wendy A. Pursell

Director of Student Accounts

Kutztown University

Wendy Pursell has been with Kutztown University (KU) since 2002, serving as the Director of Student Accounts since 2007 in the Finance division. Prior to that she served the campus within Human Resources. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Communications at Seton Hall University and her Master’s Degree in Education at Kutztown University. Partnering with various organizations and publications within the Student Finance arena and the State System of Higher Education in PA, Wendy takes the time to share her knowledge and help grow the industry. Most notably, within NACUBO, she has served as the SFS Planning Chair, served on the planning committee, been a council member and has presented on a diverse range of topics over the years. These topics include, but are not limited to, Customer Service, Regulatory Compliance, Training, Vendor Management and Military Benefits.

Scott Salzman

Director of Financial Services and Accounts Receivable

Texas Christian University

With over 30 years of experience in student financial services, Scott Salzman is a seasoned professional dedicated to enhancing financial operations within higher education. He currently serves as the Director of Financial Services and accounts receivable, a role he has held for the past two years, overseeing financial operations and strategies for student accounts, billing, and collection. Scott's career includes a distinguished 20-year tenure at the University of Dallas, where he held the roles of Bursar and Treasury Services in student financial services, culminating in leadership positions as Executive Director of Student Financial Services, Bursar that helped shape the institution's financial policies and student account management systems. His expertise in higher education financial services is further evidenced by his active involvement with the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), where he has served for five years on the Student Financial Services Council, providing guidance and insight to colleagues across the country. In addition to his administrative and leadership roles, Scott has been a presenter at Bursar Fundamentals for two years, a professional development program for new and experienced bursars. His passion for education extends to the classroom, where he has taught as an adjunct professor for over 20 years. Scott is known for his commitment to fostering a student-centered approach to financial services, ensuring that financial services processes are accessible, efficient, and student-friendly while adhering to institutional and regulatory requirements. His extensive experience, leadership, and contributions to the field have made him a trusted resource and mentor in the higher education community. 

Bryan Dickson (Moderator)

Director, Student Financial Services and Educational Programs

NACUBO

Bryan Dickson is the director of student financial services and educational programs for NACUBO. As part of NACUBO’s leadership development team, he is responsible for supporting the advancement of an array of member programs and services, including educational programming for new chief business officers.

In addition, he is a staff liaison to NACUBO’s Student Financial Services Council, working on behalf of the NACUBO membership to assist bursars and student accounts staff on a national level through advocacy with federal agencies and members of Congress. Prior to joining NACUBO in 2007, Dickson was a member of the legal and compliance practice at CEB, Inc., a best practice insight and technology company in Washington, DC. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

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The High-Level View of the Bursar's Office
Recorded 02/20/2024  |  54 minutes
Recorded 02/20/2024  |  54 minutes After introductions from the faculty, this session focuses on daily operations from the view of a director. Areas of responsibility such as organizational structure, process mapping, and separation of duties are discussed. Student account systems and records are addressed, along with the various ways institutions invoice students and families. You will also hear which partners—within and outside your institution—will be key to your success in student accounts.
Financial Aid and Refunds
Recorded 02/20/2024  |  43 minutes
Recorded 02/20/2024  |  43 minutes Learn the ins and outs of Federal Student Aid, including notifications, disbursements, book vouchers, and prior-year charges. Attendees will also review reconciliations and the over-awarding of aid. Additionally, learn how you can prevent student aid fraud. Finally, discuss the management of a student account and learn how to issue Title IV credit balance refunds through multiple channels. Presenters also briefly review the Return to Title IV process.
Payments and Payment Plans
Recorded 02/20/2024  |  53 minutes
Recorded 02/20/2024  |  53 minutes Explore the many ways that bursars can accept payments. Credit card convenience fees, PCI compliance, and chargebacks will be highlighted. We also cover internal and external payment plans, examining the benefits of each and how they can help your students.
Collections and Loan Administration
Recorded 02/20/2024  |  51 minutes
Recorded 02/20/2024  |  51 minutes Managing receivables is a key function of the student accounts office. Get an overview of the federal and institutional loan program management. Presenters review different types of loans—including federal, private, and institutional. Then, examine in-house and outsourced collection processes as well as reporting functions required to assure compliance with federal regulations. Presenters also engage in a discussion around the latest trends in collections.
Customer Service, Financial Literacy Education, and the Latest Trends
Recorded 02/20/2024  |  80 minutes
Recorded 02/20/2024  |  80 minutes Customer service is part of everything you do. Examine customer service philosophies and avenues of delivery. Learn how to be proactive in your communications and review different messaging paths, including online account information, publications, and email notifications—for both students and families. Attendees also review why financial literacy education programs are essential to student success. Finally, a short summary of the latest trends in the field is shared, followed by a wrap-up and an opportunity to answer attendees’ questions.
TouchNet

TouchNet unifies campuswide payments and ID management software solutions for institutions of higher education around the world. Colleges and universities rely on TouchNet to integrate and secure payments, permissions, and other related business transactions for a comprehensive, actionable view campuswide. TouchNet’s unmatched integration, transparency, and security give institutions greater control over transactions, costs, and compliance. As the market leader in higher education commerce technology, our platform-driven approach enables greater operational efficiencies and self-service access to real-time information for students and staff. TouchNet is a Global Payments company.

TouchNet Bill+Payment Overview

Student Account Advisor Overview

Additional Resources