Credit notes dismissed by academic’s boss (4)
I believe the answer is:
stud
'boss' is the definition.
(both can mean a metal decoration)
'credit notes dismissed by academic's' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'dismissed' could be 'st' and 'st' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for stud that I've seen before include "Breeding stable" , "sort of stable" , "Dot" , "Football boot's peg-like projection" , "Collar fastener - form of poker" .)