Open To Work
Ernestine Spears
Business Systems Analyst
Erwin,NC
Summary
Dynamic Business Systems Analyst with a proven track record at Fayetteville State University, excelling in systems analysis and upgrade testing. Spearheaded enhancements to financial aid processes, improving efficiency and user experience. Adept at problem-solving and collaboration, leveraging SQL expertise to drive impactful solutions and streamline operations.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Business Systems Analyst
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, NC
05.2019 - 08.2025
- Provided technical and administrative support of Emburse Enterprise expense management system, ensuring seamless user experience and system performance.
- Provided technical and administrative support of Jaggaer system, ensuring seamless user experience and system performance.
- Monitored and managed Automic software processes for Emburse enterprise management system to ensure accuracy.
- Oversaw the implementation of upgrades and enhancements for Emburse enterprise systems. Led testing efforts in the QA environment to ensure quality and functionality. Collaborated with the Emburse support team to facilitate the deployment of upgrades and enhancements into the production environment.
- Creation of SQL reports to enhance departmental efficiency and effectiveness within Ellucian Banner Finance module and Emburse Enterprise.
- Executed comprehensive report management, including scheduling and editing, to aid end-users in resolving system discrepancies through Emburse Analytics.
- Created and maintained standard operating procedures for critical system functions in Ellucian Banner Finance and Emburse Enterprise.
- Ensured accurate maintenance and timely updates of security access for campus-wide funds and organizations fund authority in Banner Finance module and Jaggaer system to enhance operational integrity.
- Oversaw the organization and timely updates of fund routing queues in Jaggaer, ensuring efficient requisition and purchasing document approvals.
- Collaborated with Ellucian Banner and Emburse support teams to resolve technical issues.
- Analyzed and refined workflows to effectively troubleshoot end-user issues, maintaining strict compliance with organizational policies.
- Analyzed business processes to identify opportunities for improvement and enhance overall efficiency.
- Facilitated training sessions for staff on new system implementations for improved user adoption.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to gather and document technical specifications for projects.
- Coordinated monthly meetings with Emburse travel team to review system improvements and address operational challenges.
- Spearheaded ACH vendor process implementation, improving timeliness and accuracy of Accounts Payable transactions.
Director of Student Accounts
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, NC
07.2014 - 05.2019
- Provided technical and administrative support to the Student Accounts Receivable end-users.
- Achieved successful implementation of Title IV authorization banner process, facilitating efficient authorization and decline of federal financial aid on banner self-service. Produced detailed procedural manual to streamline Title IV authorization banner self-service process.
- Facilitated transition from manual filing to digital documentation by deploying Ellucian Xtender(Document Management System) form scanning within Banner Student Accounts Receivable system.
- Oversaw student financial accounts, focusing on accurate financial operations.
- Supervised a staff of three Accounts Receivable Specialists in providing excellent customer service.
- Created, developed, and maintained policies and procedures.
- Maintained the rate tables for tuition, fees, housing, and dining for each semester.
- Run testing on tuition, fees, housing, and dining to ensure they are set up correctly. Team members review the audit for errors.
- Executed and maintained 1098-T process on an annual basis, ensuring timely and accurate reporting. Submitted 1098T to IRS on an annual basis before deadline.
- Add new detail codes for tuition and fees.
- As backus executed billing statement processing tasks to ensure timely and precise accounts receivable reporting.
- Assisted Accounts Receivable Specialist in reconciling collection agency accounts to ensure balances are accurate.
- Developed policies for financial aid processes, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations.
- Trained and mentored staff on best practices for customer service and conflict resolution in student accounts.
- Set up payment plans in TouchNet for current students.
- Participated in student orientation.
- Provided guidance and assistance when resolving disputes over tuition payments, or refunds.
- Established relationships with key stakeholders at universities and colleges across the country.
- Conduct testing of new Banner upgrades in the test environment before they are implemented in production.
- Created a new payment plan option for students in our online accelerated program.
- Created new payment plan options for summer tuition bills.
- Review accounts for bad debt write-off on a yearly basis.
- Ensure all third-party billing and tuition waivers are completed in a timely manner.
- Run the process to take off holds on accounts that are paid in full or below the registration threshold of $200.00.
- Place holds on past-due balances, preventing students from registering for another term.
- Run the drop report each semester to identify students to drop due to non-payment by the billing deadline.
- Services as the representative from studen accounts on committees across campus.
- Answered phone calls, emails, and processed payments.
- Processed cash advances.
- Worked with Registrar's office and Financial aid on appeals and withdrawal processing.
Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, NC
02.2006 - 07.2014
- Data nerve of the Financial Aid Office. Lead in the development, modification, maintenance and compliance of the Federal financial aid policies and procedures.
- Determined financial aid eligibility by collecting documents such as a completed verification worksheet, signed tax returns, W-2 forms for parent and/or student, and government photo ID.
- Provided technical and administrative support to the Financial Aid end-users and students.
- Coordinated efforts with Ellucian Banner financial aid support team and IT to identify and resolve financial aid discrepancies in a timely manner.
- Achieved successful implementation of the Work-Study module during the go-live of the Ellucian Banner Human Resources module by collaborating with Systems and Procedures team and the Systems Office financial aid representative. Created procedural manual to improve work-study process.
- Facilitated the implementation process of updated CFNC platform, ensuring alignment with technical specifications and user requirements.
- Developed and launched Banner Self-Service acceptance and/or decline functionality for financial aid award packaging, enhancing student accessibility remotely and reducing in-office submissions.
- Created and managed Financial Aid processes(chains) in Automic (UC4) scheduler software.
- Imported and exported financial aid files to the US Department of Education and third party vendors to ensure a seamless delivery of federal and state processing of financial aid applications.
- Supervised and trained computer specialist to optimize student assistance and technical support services.
- Created Webfocus reports to assist the financial aid department in becoming more efficient and effective with the Banner Financial Aid module.
- Executed population selection strategies to support the financial aid department in delivering precise and timely awards.
- Monitored and analyzed software upgrades from Ellucian Banner. Collaborated with IT to ensure successful deployment of upgrades, in the Banner Fit and Production environment.
- Achieved successful testing of new upgrades in banner fit environment, confirming accuracy. Facilitated communication with IT department to report completion of testing. Authorized movement of new upgrades to banner production environment for operational use.
- Worked closely with Student Accounts Receivable, Registrar Office, and Admissions Office for student success.
- Facilitated a financial aid presence at campus and community recruitment and outreach events.
- Represented Financial aid on various campus committees such as Banner Steering committee and work with the campus in a collaborative fashion.
- Communicated financial aid policy to the campus community.
- Directed application processing, fund disbursement, and reconciliation for federal Pell Grant program, SEOG, Teach Grant and Work-Study ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and operational efficiency.
Accounting Clerk IV
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, NC
08.2000 - 07.2006
- Spearheaded project management for student accounts receivable, overseeing implementation of the new Ellucian Banner Student Accounts Receivable module from Student Information Systems (SIS).
- Worked alongside financial aid office to create and integrate detailed fund codes, facilitating successful deployment of new Ellucian Banner student accounts receivable module.
- Led coordination with IT teams to guarantee thorough testing and effective deployment of Ellucian Banner Student Accounts Receivable module conversion from Student Information Systems (SIS).
- Executed daily cashier's office tasks, facilitating efficient financial operations within the university.
- Answered phone calls, emails, and processed payments.
- Reviewed and processed refund checks and notified students of their refund.
- Processed cash advances.
- Created and sent billing statements to students and 3rd party vendors.
- Worked closely with the Registrar's Office and Financial Aid on appeals and withdrawal processing.
- Worked with the graduate school on scholarships and grants to ensure accurate amounts were posted and assisted in corrections as needed.
- Added and removed holds from accounts as necessary.
- Achieved accurate withdrawal calculations and established a detailed withdrawal percentage listing. Enhanced the banner student accounts module through systematic updates.
- Reviewed and adjusted student accounts receivable to include payment plan fees, late fees, and collection fees, ensuring accurate billing practices.
- Compiled and organized procedural guidelines to enhance efficiency in student accounts receivable operations.
Education
MBA - Business Administration And Management
Strayer University
Raleigh, NC12-2022
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration And Marketing
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, NC12-1994
Skills
- Process documentation
- SQL knowledge
- User access management
- Upgrade testing
- Enhancement support
- Systems analysis
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving abilities
- Time management
- Decision-making
- Troubleshooting
- Analytical skills
- Recruitment management
- Eligibility determinations
- Networking events
Certification
SQL Tips and Tricks for Data Science, Fayetteville State University - 06/28/2022
SQL for Statistics Essential Training, Fayetteville State University - 06/27/2022
Jaggaer Certified Administrator, Fayetteville State University, Jaggaer University, Morrisville, NC
05/2021
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Work Type
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On-SiteRemoteHybridTimeline
Business Systems Analyst
Fayetteville State University
05.2019 - 08.2025
Director of Student Accounts
Fayetteville State University
07.2014 - 05.2019
Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid
Fayetteville State University
02.2006 - 07.2014
Accounting Clerk IV
Fayetteville State University
08.2000 - 07.2006
MBA - Business Administration And Management
Strayer University
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration And Marketing
Fayetteville State University