Payroll Accountant

The Payroll Accountant is responsible for managing the university’s payroll processing and related accounting functions in compliance with institutional policies, federal/state regulations, and internal audit standards. This position plays a key role in ensuring timely, accurate, and efficient payroll services for faculty, staff, and student employees. The Payroll Accountant will utilize the Oracle HCM for payroll processing, and for financial and administrative reporting and reconciliation. This position prepares and analyzes financial reports, making studies or recommendations relative to the accounting of assets, revenues, and expenditures. Reviews and verifies the accuracy of journal entries and accounting classifications reported on the financial statements of the University. Provides information to the University staff regarding accounting practices and procedures, and reconciling general ledger accounts. This position assumes the role of a subject matter expert on assigned topics.

Essential Functions:

60% of Time the Payroll-Accountant must:
● Prepares complex reports, schedules and special studies requiring a broad knowledge of principles, practices and procedures for both internal and external financial reporting requirements and year end audit. Analytical review of complex account reconciliations.
● Prepares and files biweekly and annual financial statements for the department and department programs. Prepare schedules to manage and forecast budget to actual financial results.
● Interprets, applies and explains complex laws, codes, regulations or ordinances. Research and analyze data for accuracy, trends, and variances to ensure appropriate accounting procedures have been followed for compliance with federal and state laws and regulations and university policy.
● Routinely makes decisions regarding proper processing, booking and reporting of transactions. Develops and monitors financial procedures and controls for internal financial budget to actual reporting, cash handling systems, vault control, disbursements, etc. Reconciling account balances and bank statements, maintaining general ledger and preparing month-end close procedure.
● Manage the overpayment recovery process ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.. Communicating with departments and employees to set up repayment plans.

35% of Time the Payroll- Accountant
● Collaborates with technical teams to test and validate solutions before implementing new features in the current database.
● Assists in preparing and processing payroll for all employees, ensuring accuracy in hours worked, deductions, and adjustments.
● Assists with other accounting projects as needed.

5%: Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

● Experience preparing financial and/or auditor statements, schedules and reports.
● Experience interpreting, applying and explaining complex laws, codes, regulations or ordinances that govern payroll processing, including accounting transactions and financial reporting.
● Knowledge of governmental accounting practices and principles.
● Proficiency in payroll systems.
● High level of attention to detail and accuracy; strong analytical and operational skills.
● Experience in effective data presentation using Excel and/or other spreadsheet computer applications.
● Demonstrated experience in financial analysis and budget management.
● Intermediate to Advanced Excel skills- Pivots, large sorts. cell types, vlookups or xlookups, removed/searching, data sort, understanding data links, and formulas.

Minimum Qualifications:

● Bachelor's degree or equivalent plus 2 years’ experience

Preferred Qualifications:

● At least 2 years of experience working in payroll accounting or financial operations in higher ed.
● At least 2 years of experience interpreting, applying, and explaining complex laws, codes, regulations, or ordinances.
● At least 2 years of experience in effective data presentation using Excel and/or other spreadsheet computer applications.