Sylvia Grady
San Antonio,TX
Summary
Accomplished and results-driven professional with over 17 years of experience in higher education, specializing in financial/fiscal services. A consistent performer with a proven record of achieving exceptional results through strategic analysis and team collaboration. Possess an extensive understanding of student and departmental services and unwavering commitment to the core principles of the university. Eager to bring forth my established skills set and aspire to play a pivotal role in advancing organizational objectives through continued excellence.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Bursar
The University of Texas at San Antonio
San Antonio, TX
10.2018 - Current
- Facilitate the collection of all tuition and fees, processing waivers, exemptions, third-party sponsorships, payment plans, refunds, departmental deposits and financial services.
- Communicate with customers, employees, vendors to answer questions and address complaints.
- Participate in meetings with internal stakeholders to discuss any changes or updates related to tuition payment policies.
- Coordinate office activities to streamline operations and promote compliance with organizational policies.
- Support Fiscal Services staff in working with customers on issues related to overdue account balances and determining appropriate follow-on actions
- Ensure activities such as generating bills and reconciling are performed in compliance with university, state, and federal regulations and standard accounting procedures
- Delegate work to staff, setting priorities and goals
- Oversee third party receivables and cashiering functions of the university, to include review and analysis of the general ledger and subsidiary ledgers
- Establish relationships with other University offices to institute processes and practices benefiting our customers to ensure institutional strategic goals are met
- Evaluate operational effectiveness to identify and implement changes required for efficiency and improved customer satisfaction.
- Assist with the preparation of annual reports for year end financial operations
- Conduct thorough reviews of Fiscal Notes associated with proposed legislation to assess financial implications.
Business Office Associate Director
St. Mary's University
San Antonio, TX
10.2015 - 09.2018
- Supported the collection of tuition and fees, manage process of waivers, exemptions, third-party sponsorships, payment plans, refunds, departmental deposits, and submission of unpaid accounts to collection agencies.
- Oversight of the processing of student financial aid refunds in accordance with state and federal regulations and deadlines.
- Maintained an understanding of university billing and refunding policies, institutional and FERPA confidentiality regulations; and Federal Title IV cash management regulations.
- Created and maintained the Banner fee assessment table rules for traditional and law student tuition/fees.
- Tested and organized methods for testing billing rules with Registrar's Office to accurately assess charges for traditional, J.D.Law, LL.M. law and M.Jur. and Certificate Law student accounts.
- Assisted in the processing of 1098T tax forms within the specified deadline outlined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS.)
- Ensured all 1098T tax forms are mailed or post marked on or before the IRS deadline.
- Created the automation and posting of 1042s tax assessments for International Students.
- Evaluated operational effectiveness; identified and implemented changes required for efficiency
- Performed as functional lead in the development and implementation of Ellucian Banner 9 student system and sunset of Banner 8 student system.
- Served as liaison between functional users and technical systems group in the development or modification of information systems.
- Maintained and troubleshoot Banner and Argos software for resolutions
Business Office Assistant Director
St. Mary's University
San Antonio, TX
02.2010 - 10.2015
- Supervised and evaluated all daily cashiering functions, to include bank deposits and reconciliations
- Assisted in the collection, verification and recording of student tuition payments.
- Provided administrative support to the Business Office staff
- Conducted monthly review and reconciliations of Business Office accounts and student related accounts.
- Maintained Business Office Webpages related to tuition/fees, course fees, miscellaneous fees, etc.
- Created and implemented outsourcing process of unpaid student debit to third-party collection agencies
- Oversight of organizational restructuring to better develop relationships between students and staff
- Coordinated with external auditors during annual audit process
Business Office Associate
St. Mary's University
San Antonio, TX
09.2007 - 02.2010
- Collected incoming payments from customers using a variety of payment methods, in additional to processing staff/faculty reimbursements.
- Counted and reconciled petty cash log
- Prepared daily bank deposits and reconciled end of day cash
- Generated monthly statements for students and parents who have outstanding balances on their accounts.
- Responded to inquiries from students regarding their tuition bills or other payment questions.
- Resolved discrepancies between actual payments received versus expected payments due from students, parents, third parties.
- Actively monitored incoming emails regarding tuition payments and responded accordingly.
- Processed student refunds promptly and accurately.
- Answered telephones, directed calls, and took messages.
Education
MBA - General Management
St. Mary's University
San Antonio08-2019
Skills
- Strong leadership and team management
- Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills
- Develop clear and concise reports
- Provide excellent customer service
- Coordinate with technical staff
- Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple priorities; detail-oriented
- Knowledge of BANNER AR and TouchNet Payment System
- Knowledge of basic student registration functionality and financial aid awarding process
- Knowledge of IRS rules related to 1098T requirements
Professional Development
- 2024 Winter - Texas Assoc of College & University Business Officers (TACUBO) – Denton, TX
- 2023 Summer - Texas Assoc of College & University Business Officers (TACUBO) – Arlington, TX
- 2021 TouchNet Com Tec 2021 Conference - Virtual
- 2021 National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) – Virtual
- 2019 Texas Bursars for Universities and Colleges (TexasBucs) – Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX
Activities
- Weight training - consistent, disciplined and dedicated in maintaining overall health
Timeline
Associate Bursar
The University of Texas at San Antonio
10.2018 - Current
Business Office Associate Director
St. Mary's University
10.2015 - 09.2018
Business Office Assistant Director
St. Mary's University
02.2010 - 10.2015
Business Office Associate
St. Mary's University
09.2007 - 02.2010
MBA - General Management
St. Mary's University
Similar Profiles
Marina BenavidesMarina Benavides
First-Year Experience Peer Mentor at The University of Texas at San AntonioFirst-Year Experience Peer Mentor at The University of Texas at San Antonio
Lawrence LeeLawrence Lee
Undergraduate Student Researcher at UTSA - University of Texas at San AntonioUndergraduate Student Researcher at UTSA - University of Texas at San Antonio
Crystal PerezCrystal Perez
Institutional Research Analyst at University of Texas at San AntonioInstitutional Research Analyst at University of Texas at San Antonio
Jan Suarez-InestrozaJan Suarez-Inestroza
Student Coordinator at University Of Texas At San AntonioStudent Coordinator at University Of Texas At San Antonio
Michelle SolisMichelle Solis
Teacher at IDEA Public SchoolsTeacher at IDEA Public Schools