Senior Accountant - Payroll & Benefits Administration

Senior Accountant – Payroll & Benefits Administration Overview

Reporting to the Controller, the Senior Accountant – Payroll & Benefits Administration is a key leader within the Business and Finance Team and serves as a collaborative partner in achieving institutional goals and objectives. This role is responsible for overseeing payroll operations, administering employee benefit programs, and ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting and compliance. The Senior Accountant demonstrates a strong commitment to service excellence while ensuring effective administrative and financial support for students, faculty, and staff across campus.

• Process multiple payrolls to ensure accuracy and compliance
• Ensure complete and accurate payroll records and files are maintained
• Ensure timely submission of payroll tax deposits and retirement contributions
• Coordinate payroll reporting for Human Resources, grants, and external agencies
• Maintain payroll deduction schedules and ensure accuracy of with holdings
• Serve as primary contact with payroll vendors
• Ensure proper reconciliation of all payroll-related transactions

• Maintain financial components of all employee benefit plans
• Monitor college-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 403(b), 457(b), 457(f)), including compliance and contribution oversight and reconciliation
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, IRS regulations, and plan documents
• Support the HR Specialist with reconciliations for benefits enrollment audits and serve as the point of contact for all financial responsibilities related to employee benefit plans post enrollment
• Perform benefit reconciliations and ensure timely payments to carriers

• Perform bank reconciliations and resolve discrepancies
• Prepare and maintain general ledger account schedules
• Ensure all accounting practices align with GAAP, federal regulations, state requirements, and accreditation standards
• Maintain audit-ready documentation and strong internal controls

• Perform other duties as assigned

• Minimum of five (5) years of direct experience in payroll processing and payroll administration, including tax filings and compliance
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience administering employee benefits programs and retirement plans (e.g., 403(b), 457)
• Minimum of five (5) years of general ledger accounting experience
• MBA or CPA preferred but not required
• Proficiency with accounting systems and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel required)
• Extensive experience in multi-cycle payroll environments (e.g., bi-weekly, monthly) and benefits administration within higher education, nonprofit, or similarly complex organizations
• Communicate effectively (verbal and written) with all management levels within the Institution as well as key individuals in other organizations/agencies to provide maximum support to students, faculty, and others being served by the Institution
• Knowledge of accounting, budgeting, general business programs, policies, and procedures is required to ensure effective/efficient use and distribution of financial and other resources
• Knowledge, understanding, and business application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Ability to respond effectively to numerous and varied situations, analyze issues, and respond quickly and correctly to resolve problems and support the needs of students, faculty, staff, and others on the Institution
• The Senior Accountant must be a team player with the desire to promote the entire Institution and all its programs through energetic and effective coordination with applicable Institution departments and appropriate external organizations and agencies
• Excellent listening skills and trained abilities to adapt to a dynamic environment and progressive organization

• The Senior Accountant will work collaboratively with other administrators and department heads
• The Senior Accountant will create and maintain a customer service culture, program, orientation, and focus on assigned areas
• Other duties as assigned by the Controller

Full-time 40 hours per week position minimum. Working hours will occasionally include evenings and weekends during peak periods, including monthly closeouts, registration, and audit season.