Bursar

Merced Community College

$83K — $130K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Associate's degree in accounting, business administration, or related field required; bachelor's degree preferred.
  • 4 years of experience in finance, accounting, or financial aid with some supervisory experience.
  • Strong background in accounting principles and compliance standards.
  • Excellent leadership and customer service skills required.
  • Familiarity with digital financial systems and accounting software essential.

Responsibilities

  • Direct and manage day-to-day operations of the Student Fees Office.
  • Oversee financial aid grant offsets and disbursement processes.
  • Manage cash receipts and banking deposits for the District.
  • Ensure accurate billing for student housing and online payment solutions.
  • Assist in the utilization and security of mobile POS systems for fee collections.
  • Coordinate preparation of student account statements and payment plans.
  • Adhere to financial policies and ensure compliance with accounting standards.

Benefits

  • Health benefits for employee and dependents at only $12 per month.
  • Access to PPO medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Employee only pays for a portion of life insurance coverage.
  • Short-term and long-term disability benefits provided.
  • Generous vacation and sick leave policies, including 12 sick days per year.
Full Job Description
Salary: $83,926.00 - $130,350.00 Annually
Location : Merced College, CA
Job Type: Management
Job Number:
Division: Administrative Services Div
Opening Date: 07/28/2026
Closing Date: 8/16/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Merced College is seeking a collaborative and customer-focused Bursar to lead the operations of the Student Fees Office. This management position oversees student accounts, cashiering, financial aid disbursements, banking operations, student housing billing, online payment systems, and other essential student financial services.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in accounting or finance, excellent leadership and customer service skills, and experience managing complex financial processes while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and accounting standards.

If you value student-centered service, fiscal integrity, and serving a vibrant, diverse student population and the campus community, we encourage you to apply.
Join our team and help support student success through outstanding financial services!

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
This is an exempt classified management position. Under general direction, manage and oversee the day-to-day operations of the Student Fees Office to ensure the accuracy and orderly maintenance of financial records and student accounts. This role oversees complex digital disbursement systems (e.g., Bank Mobile), campus-wide point-of-sale (POS) integrations, and financial components of auxiliary services including student housing, online payment solutions, and Follett Integrated Access programs.

REPORTS TO
Associate Director of Business and Fiscal Services

SALARY SCHEDULEManagement Range 11
Salary will be commensurate with education and experienceAdditional compensation for doctorate
This is a categorically funded assignment contingent upon year-to-year funding


Examples of Duties

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
  • Direct, evaluate, and coordinate work for the staff in the Student Fees Office; assist in the selection and training of personnel and student assistants
  • Coordinate all aspects of Financial Aid grant offsets and disbursements, including the management of third-party banking and digital disbursement services
  • Oversee the cash receipts, vault and banking deposits for the District
  • Manage the financial components of student housing (billing and deposits), online payment solutions, and third-party Integrated access book programs to ensure accurate billing, payment, and collections
  • Assist in the direction, utilization and security of mobile POS systems used across campus for various fee-collection activities
  • Coordinate the preparation of student account statements, establish annual tuition rate tables, refund formulas, and monitor student payment plans
  • Ensure adherence to Board Policies, the Chancellor's Office Student Fees Handbook, and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
  • Perform daily, monthly, and annual closing processes for student accounts receivable; oversee the processing of 1098-T Annual Statements
  • Respond to questions and complaints from students, faculty, and staff, and represent the office during District audits
  • Other Related Duties as assigned

Knowledge of:
  • Methods, practices, and terminology used in school financial record keeping
  • Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
  • Best practices in customer service/care
  • Principles and methods of management

Ability to:
  • Accurately post data, make arithmetic calculations, maintain records, and prepare complex financial statements
  • Communicate well in written and oral form
  • Follow oral and written instructions
  • Supervise and train staff
  • Give explicit, understandable directions to others and to work cooperatively with others
  • Create and maintain complex spreadsheets
  • Demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students

Typical Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Education/Training/ExperienceGraduation from an accredited college or university with an associate's degree in accounting, business administration, or a closely related field, and at least four years of progressively responsible experience in finance, accounting, financial aid, or other relevant fields, at least some of which was in a lead or supervisory capacity; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

License or CertificateValid California driver license or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire date

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Training/ExperienceGraduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration, or a closely related field.

PHYSICAL DEMAND AND WORKING ENVIRONMENTThe conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

EnvironmentWork is performed primarily in an office environment with some travel to different sites; incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends.

Physical Ability to:
  • Hear and understand speech at normal levels
  • Communicate so others will be able to clearly understand normal conversation
  • Read printed matter and computer screens
  • Stand or sit for prolonged periods of time
  • Bend, twist, stoop, kneel, crawl, push, and pull
  • Reach in all directions
  • Work at a desk, conference table or in meetings of various configurations
  • Operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard

VisionSee in the normal visual range with or without correction.

HearingHear in the normal audio range with or without correction. 07/2026
Supplemental Information

How to Apply:
  1. Submit a complete application by the closing date/time on the Merced College career pages at
Required Documentation:
  1. Letter of interest addressing your qualifications for the position (cover letter)
  2. Resume
  3. List of three professional references (no reference letters permitted)
  4. Legible, unofficial college transcripts (undergraduate and graduate); transcripts must include the degree major and date the institution granted the degree; official copies are not required unless applicant is hired
  5. Diversity Statement: The Merced College District has a diverse staff and student population. As such, applicants must demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of a diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds of community college students and the community at large. Please describe your leadership efforts and professional experience promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in a work setting. Please do not include any personally identifying information. Limit your response to one (1) page.
  6. If applicable, foreign transcripts must includea U.S. evaluation and translation completed by an
Only the required documentation as listed above will be accepted for this recruitment. Any additional documentation will be removed from your application profile.

Interview Information:
Applicants deemed highly qualified for the position will be invited to participate in onsite oral interviews conducted by a screening committee. A limited number of candidates will be selected to move forward to the interview stage.

Employee Benefits:
Employee Benefits: Health benefits for the employee and all their eligible dependents cost employee's only $12 per month and provide access to PPO medical coverage, PPO dental coverage, VSP Vision coverage, and more! Please visit our Merced College Benefits website for more details about our incredible employee benefits. In addition, sick leave and retirement benefits are also provided.

Condition of Employment:
The selected candidate must be fingerprinted and tested for tuberculosis at his/her own expense prior to the start of employment. In compliance with the Immigration Reform Act of 1986, all new employees are required to verify their identity and the right to work in the United States. All offers of employment are subject to approval by the Board of Trustees. The applicant must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.
Individuals with disabilities may request any needed accommodation to participate in the application process. Please submit your request with your application to the Human Resources Office.

MANAGEMENT
Health Benefits
The cost is $12.00 per month for 10 months each year, with no deductions in June and July. This amount covers the following services, provided that members use Plan providers:

  • Medical (Anthem Blue Cross)
    $100 deductible for each family member or $300 deductible per family paid by employee each calendar year. 100% coverage after deductible is paid (except for emergency room visits which cost $100 unless the person is admitted to the hospital).

  • Prescription (Navitus)
    Pharmacy costs are $3.00 for up to a 30-day supply of generic medications and a $15.00 co-payment for brand-name medications; at Costco, a 30-day supply of generic medications and a 90-day supply by mail are $0.00, while brand-name medications cost $15.00 for a 30-day supply and $35.00 for a 90-day supply.

  • Dental (Delta Dental - Incentive Plan)
    1. Plan pays 70% the first calendar year that the plan is used
    2. 80% paid second year
    3. 90% paid third year
    4. 100% paid fourth year
    5. 100% will be paid each year thereafter unless member does not visit the dentist each year for cleanings/check-ups.
    6. $1,500 lifetime maximum for each enrollee.

  • Vision (VSP)
    $5.00 co-pay for exam every calendar year. The plan pays $150 for frames, anything over $150 is paid by the member. Single vision, lined bifocal and lined trifocal lenses are covered in full.

  • $50,000 life insurance policy on employee


  • Short-term and long-term disability.

Retirement
  • Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
    • Classic members - 7% and the college pays 26.68%.
    • New members (PEPRA) - 8% and the college pays 26.68%.
  • State Teachers Retirement System (STRS)
    • Members prior to 1/1/13 - 10.250% and the college pays 19.10%
    • Members after 1/1/13 - 10.205% and the college pays 19.10%
    • The District and the employee do NOT pay into Social Security

Holidays, Vacation, Sick Leave
  • Holidays: 11 paid plus 5 days during Christmas.
  • Vacation: 2 days per month.
  • Sick: 12 days per year each fiscal year.

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