Pronunciation: [bˈɜːsə] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "bursar" may seem confusing, but the IPA transcription can help make it clearer. The word is pronounced /ˈbɜrsər/ with the stress on the first syllable. The "b" at the beginning is pronounced like in "bed" and the "r" is pronounced with a slight roll. The "u" is pronounced like in "hurt" and the following "s" is pronounced like in "sun". Finally, the last two letters "ar" are pronounced like in "car".
A bursar is an individual who holds a responsible position in an educational institution, typically at the collegiate level, and is primarily responsible for managing and administering the financial affairs of the institution. The position of a bursar often exists in schools, colleges, and universities.
The role of a bursar involves a variety of tasks related to financial operations and management, such as budgeting, accounts receivable and payable, financial reporting, payroll processing, and overseeing the financial transactions of the institution. They may also be responsible for managing student accounts, tuition and fee collection, and ensuring compliance with financial rules and regulations.
In addition to financial responsibilities, a bursar may also have other administrative duties, including supervising staff, implementing financial policies, and coordinating with other departments within the institution. The position requires strong organizational and analytical skills, as well as proficiency in financial management systems and software.
The term "bursar" originates from the medieval Latin word "bursarius," meaning treasurer or purser. The bursar's role has evolved over time to encompass various financial and administrative responsibilities within educational institutions. Their work contributes to the smooth functioning of the institution by ensuring effective financial management, promoting fiscal stability, and supporting the educational mission of the organization.
The treasurer of a college or monastery; a student in a Scotch university to whom a sum of money is paid out of a fund set aside for that purpose; an exhibitioner.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "bursar" has its origins in Latin. It comes from the Latin word "bursarius" which means "purse-bearer" or "treasurer". The term originally referred to the person responsible for managing the funds of an institution, such as a school or a monastery. Over time, the term has been adopted in English and is predominantly used to describe an officer or administrator in charge of financial matters in educational institutions, particularly colleges or universities.
