PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

The purpose of the position for a Manager of the Student Accounts and Bursary Department on the Mahikeng Campus is to plan, lead, organise, and control all aspects of the department. This role is also responsible for ensuring the effective financial management of the department, including financial planning, budgeting, and asset management. The manager must ensure compliance with NWU financial policies and guidelines, mitigate financial risks, and provide strategic leadership to optimise the department’s operations in alignment with the university's annual performance plan.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.       Management of student accounts and bursaries:

• Supported staff/trained staff on manual levies/charges
• Authorised fee adjustments received from faculties, cancellations as well as 2.5% early settlement discount (ESD).
• Authorised credit refund transactions above R50 000.
• Monitored old student accounts with credit balances exceeding 3 years.
• Responded to all audit reports within 10 days.
• Resolve reconciling items on monthly control account reconciliations.
• Administered NSFAS (and other bursars) allowances to be paid by the 25th of each month.
• Verified lease agreements submitted via the Student Portal.

2.       Management of Student Account Administration:

• Ensure knowledge and compliance of NWU rules
• Enforce 24-hour turn-around time on all enquiries, 48 hours during peak periods such as registration.
• Manage registration process and control after registration.
• Perform as Chair to Financial Registration Committee (FRC) and allocation of discretionary funds.

3.       Management of Cash:

• Reviewed cash-ups monthly.
• Reviewed float and petty cash spot checks.
• Assisted Animal Health, Farm and the Cafeteria for cash-handling.

4.       Management of Debt Collection:

• Verify Financial Undertakings.
• Complied with the NWU rules during registration.
• Complied with the annual debt collection cycle.
• Assisted with graduation information.
• Assisted with student bad debt handover process.
• Monthly monitored and reported on Financial Registration Committee (FRC) cases.

5.       Risk Management and Financial Planning:

• Regular reviewed financial operational risks.
• Actively participated in registration, open days and planning thereof.
• Compiled and adherence to operational budget.
• Participated in updating of financial rule booklet (where applicable)
• Maintained assets according to the replacement planning guidelines of the NWU.
• Represented SFFS on Campus Management Committee (MCMC) for reporting.

6.       People Management:

• Create an enabling leadership culture by developing a shared direction, shared values and alignment and commitment to transform the organisational culture; Foster a participative and developmental leadership style; improve team cohesion, synergy and effectiveness.
• Develop a Strategic Workforce Plan that builds proportions of African and People with disabilities and implement the Plan.
• Arrange and implement culture improvement interventions, establish a baseline, receive a report and feedback and implement; actively remove engagement barriers.

7.       Occupational Health and Safety (OHS):

• Number and scope of potential and real OHS risks identified and reported immediately to the line manager.
• Other efforts to mitigate these risks without endangering oneself and/or any others.
• OHS training received.
• Compliance with OHS audits, schedules, evacuation drills etc.
• Number of reprimands, non-compliance and near-misses.

8.       Ad Hoc:

• Ad Hoc tasks that may arise within the line of duty are completed as per instruction given.

• A 4-year bachelor’s degree / an honours’ degree / Postgraduate diploma (NQF level 8) in Accounting.
• A minimum of 5 years’ operational experience in accounts, reconciliation, debt collection, bursaries and enquiry handling.
• A minimum of 1 year’ experience in managing financial departments.

KEY FUNCTIONAL/ TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Analytical Skills
• Attention to detail
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Leadership and management
• Organisational Skills

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

• Interpersonal Skills
• Conflict resolutions
• Assertiveness
• Strategic thinking