Position:               Payroll Accountant

Department:       Business and Finance

Reports To:          Controller

FLSA:                     Exempt

JOB PURPOSE AND REPORTING STRUCTURE: Under the direction of the Chief Financial Officer/Controller, the Payroll Accountant is responsible for maintaining payroll related accounts. They are responsible for the reconciliation and accuracy of accounts.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Prepare bi-weekly payroll includes verifying timesheets.
• Work with supervisors regarding unapproved electronic timesheets.
• Calculate accurate wages and deposits.
• Verifies payroll changes, deductions, job offer amounts, supplemental pay, retirement information, garnishments and payouts.
• Analyzing and resolving problems regarding payroll for faculty, staff and students.
• Work directly with Payroll vendor.
• Complete month-end close, including recording payroll, account analytics and roll forward schedules.
• Reconciles payroll reports to the general ledger.
• Reconciles all payroll liabilities monthly.
• Prepare and provides information to auditors.
• Prepare year end W2 and other related payroll reports.
• Perform self-checks to spot inconsistencies in accounting work and quickly uncover errors in both computation and application of accounting principles.
• Attends staff meetings and trainings.
• Follow and comply with all safety and work rules and regulations. Maintain departmental housekeeping standards.
• Complete special projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:  Bachelor Science degree in Business or Accounting with at least 2-5 years of payroll experience. Have an eye for detail and accuracy. Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Professional Certification a bonus but not required. Ability to read, write and communicate effectively orally and in writing. Must be computer literate and efficient in Microsoft Products.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:  Ability to read and comprehend instructions, short correspondence, and memos.  Ability to prepare correspondence.  Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:  Ability to perform basic mathematic functions.  Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.

REASONING ABILITY:  Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.  Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:  Requires the ability to operate a variety of standard business machines, such as a computer and the job-related software, a keyboard, calculator, telephone, FAX, photocopier, shredder, etc.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  The physical demands described here 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 their essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear.  The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and use foot/feet to operate machinery.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to risk of electrical shock.  The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles.

The nose level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principal functions of the occupation described and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the occupation.