Updated June 25, 2024
6 min read
A bursar is a professional responsible for managing financial aspects in educational institutions. They update student records for cash receipts, prepare financial reports, manage accounts receivable, and ensure policies comply with regulations. Uniquely, they handle G5 loans, initiate block warnings for class removal, and implement telephone call centers for processing credit card payments.
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Bursar responsibilities
Bursars primarily manage financial transactions, ensuring accurate record-keeping and timely processing. They update student records, handle payments, and disburse refunds. Bursars also oversee daily operations, maintain financial reports, and manage accounts receivable. For instance, a bursar might "enter encumbrances and holds on SIS for library, university police and audit W/L encumbrances" or "maintain a 99% accuracy rate in all internal and external audits since this new record-keeping system was implemented."
Here are examples of responsibilities from real bursar resumes:
- Manage all financial reporting, accounts receivable, general ledgers and reconciliations.
- Process accounting documents concerning entitlement to travel expenses for military and /or civilian personnel in activities service by DFAS.
- Respond to inquiries from internal organization and external customers regarding package processing, delivery information and services offer by USPS stores.
Bursar skills and personality traits
We calculated that 22% of Bursars are proficient in Financial Aid, Student Payments, and Credit Card Payments. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Detail oriented, and Integrity.
We break down the percentage of Bursars that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Financial Aid, 22%
Developed Bookstore Financial Aid Policy that Central Office implemented Statewide.
- Student Payments, 8%
Recorded and applied all student payments, collected delinquent in-school and out of school student payments.
- Credit Card Payments, 5%
Led the implementation of a telephone call center for processing $1.2 million in credit card payments during peak registration periods.
- Customer Service, 4%
Improved operational processes and customer service quality.
- Cash Handling, 4%
Directed the University community in cash handling procedures for asset safekeeping.
- Bank Deposits, 4%
Complete daily cash reconciliation using bank deposits, cashier reports for student accounts and loan account.
Most bursars use their skills in "financial aid," "student payments," and "credit card payments" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential bursar responsibilities here:
Computer skills. The most essential soft skill for a bursar to carry out their responsibilities is computer skills. This skill is important for the role because "bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks need to be comfortable using computer spreadsheets and bookkeeping software." Additionally, a bursar resume shows how their duties depend on computer skills: "entered information into the computer to start an application for a student loan. "
Detail oriented. Many bursar duties rely on detail oriented. "bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks are responsible for producing accurate financial records," so a bursar will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways bursar responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "establish veracity of general ledger and journal entries through detailed reviewing and auditing processes. "
Integrity. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of bursars is integrity. This skill is critical to many everyday bursar duties, as "bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks have control of an organization’s financial documentation, which they must use properly and keep confidential." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "prepared and invoiced student accounts oversaw and organized file management entrusted with handling and disposal of confidential paperwork"
Math skills. A big part of what bursars do relies on "math skills." You can see how essential it is to bursar responsibilities because "bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks deal with numbers daily and should be comfortable with basic arithmetic." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical bursar tasks: "prepare and distribute trust financial statements and statistics. "
All bursar skills
The three companies that hire the most bursars are:
- University of Rochester2 bursars jobs
- SANS Institute2 bursars jobs
- Cecil College2 bursars jobs
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Compare different bursars
Bursar vs. Finance clerk
Finance clerks are financial professionals who are responsible for performing various administrative tasks such as keeping financial records, preparing bills, and delivering excellent customer service. These clerks are required to process bills, checks, receipts, and other documents to ensure that they are all properly signed and distributed. They must verify financial and other data so that they can enter those data into the database and maintain updated records. Finance clerks must also assist with account reconciliations and should report the status of accounts and discrepancies to the management.
If we compare the average bursar annual salary with that of a finance clerk, we find that finance clerks typically earn a $12,970 lower salary than bursars make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between bursars and finance clerks are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like financial aid, bank deposits, and data entry.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a bursar are more likely to require skills like "student payments," "credit card payments," "customer service," and "cash handling." On the other hand, a job as a finance clerk requires skills like "purchase orders," "hr," "bank statements," and "credit card." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
On average, finance clerks reach lower levels of education than bursars. Finance clerks are 8.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.
Learn more about bursars vs finance clerks.
Bursar vs. Accounts receivable clerk
An Accounts Receivable Clerk specializes in processing payment records and bill statements of a company or organization. Among the duties include calculating total revenues and unpaid invoices, maintaining financial records and keeping a detailed and organized database, and verifying financial transactions and payment delinquencies. Furthermore, an Accounts Receivable Clerk must resolve and examine deductions, prepare invoices and necessary documentation, and review customer payment plans and history records and coordinate with the collections department should there be any issues.
On average, accounts receivable clerks earn a $15,770 lower salary than bursars a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both bursars and accounts receivable clerks have skills such as "credit card payments," "customer service," and "bank deposits. "
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, bursar responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "financial aid," "student payments," "cash handling," and "financial services." Meanwhile, an accounts receivable clerk has duties that require skills in areas such as "collection calls," "financial data," "payroll," and "ledgers." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Accounts receivable clerks tend to reach lower levels of education than bursars. In fact, they're 10.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.
Learn more about bursars vs accounts receivable clerks.
Bursar vs. Accounts payable clerk
An accounts payable clerk is responsible for supporting the accounting department by performing clerical duties to file financial reports timely and accurately. Accounts payable clerks manage and verify invoices documents, reconcile balance spreadsheets, process payments for suppliers and vendors, resolve billing discrepancies, confirm and post account statements, record outstanding credits, and maintain an organized record of transactions. An accounts payable clerk must have excellent knowledge of the accounting principles to deliver high-quality services and help the business minimize excessive financial loss.
On average, accounts payable clerks earn lower salaries than bursars, with a $13,862 difference per year.By looking over several bursars and accounts payable clerks resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "customer service," "bank deposits," and "reconciliations." But beyond that, the careers look very different.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, bursars are more likely to have skills like "financial aid," "student payments," "credit card payments," and "cash handling." But a accounts payable clerk is more likely to have skills like "purchase orders," "expense reports," "vendor invoices," and "vendor statements."
When it comes to education, accounts payable clerks tend to earn lower degree levels compared to bursars. In fact, they're 8.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.
Learn more about bursars vs accounts payable clerks.
Bursar vs. Accounting technician
An accounting technician is responsible for evaluating financial information procedures to support accounting and taxation tasks, verifying the accuracy of account statements for the reference of accountants. Accounting technicians manage the payroll processes, generate invoices, perform account reconciliations, analyze account receivables, prepare budget reports, and monitor the company's financial transactions. Accounting technicians should always adhere to taxation legislation, comply with accounting disciplines, and coordinate with the account management for any findings and concerns, requiring them to have excellent communication and analytical skills.
Accounting technicians typically earn lower pay than bursars. On average, accounting technicians earn a $10,858 lower salary per year.While both bursars and accounting technicians complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like customer service, bank deposits, and reconciliations, the two careers vary in some skills.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between bursars and accounting technicians, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a bursar might have more use for skills like "financial aid," "student payments," "credit card payments," and "cash handling." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of accounting technicians require skills like "payroll," "purchase orders," "general ledger accounts," and "travel vouchers. "
Accounting technicians reach lower levels of education compared to bursars, in general. The difference is that they're 7.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.
Learn more about bursars vs accounting technicians.
Types of bursar
Updated June 25, 2024
Zippia Team
Editorial Staff
The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.
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Updated June 25, 2024
