Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist

The Payroll & Financial Operations Specialist plays a key role in supporting payroll execution, commercial card and travel processes, and broader accounting functions across the Controller Division. This position works with a variety of internal stakeholders, ensuring financial accuracy, compliance, and timely processing across multiple systems. The ideal candidate is detail‑oriented, experienced with public‑sector financial operations, and comfortable working in fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environments.

• Partner with the Payroll Accountant to process biweekly payroll for approximately 1,500 employees, ensuring accuracy and completeness of all payroll entries.
• Review payroll batches feeding into CORE; troubleshoot and resolve rejected or inaccurate transactions.
• Perform monthly reconciliations across payroll systems, including PAM, CLAS, and CORE, to validate account accuracy.
• Prepare routine payroll reports, including onboarding/offboarding activity, salary adjustments, and POTS‑related data.
• Support payroll adjustments, issue resolution, and respond to employee inquiries submitted through the UKG inbox.
• Participate in testing and validation for COMPAS payroll modernization initiatives.

• Provide responsive, professional guidance to employees and executives on travel policies, reimbursements, and expense submissions.
• Manage monthly commercial card processes: send reminders, collect statements, and verify documentation prior to processing.
• Compare receipts, bank records, and accounting codes to ensure accurate classification before entering transactions into CORE.
• Collaborate with accounting staff to correct miscoded transactions, including resolving issues within PRC
  1.
• Process travel reimbursements in both digital and paper‑based formats, verifying employee eligibility in CORE.
• Review and finalize travel pre‑approval submissions, complete TCD documentation, and elevate discrepancies as appropriate.
• Assist with account setup activities for new vendors or employees when necessary.

• Support Accounts Payable by reviewing invoices, detecting duplicates, verifying correct coding, and facilitating general ledger corrections.
• Monitor the AP Tracker to ensure timely routing and processing of payments.
• Assist with cash receipts, treasury deposits, and reconciliation of supporting documentation.
• Contribute to fiscal year‑end closing activities, including report preparation and follow‑up documentation.
• Provide general administrative and financial support across the Controller Division to maintain daily operations.

• Payroll processing and reconciliation
• Accounts payable and invoice review
• Travel and expense reimbursement processing
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Problem‑solving and issue resolution
• Ability to manage deadlines and high‑volume workflows
• Excellent communication and customer service skills

• Experience working in government, higher education, or other public‑sector financial environments
• Background in travel compliance or procurement card (P‑Card) programs
• Experience supporting system modernization or implementation projects
• Familiarity with UKG, Compass/COMPAS, and financial systems such as CORE, PAM, CLAS, and PRC1

This is a contract position based out of Denver, CO.

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $27.00/hr.

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long‑term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program

Final date to receive applications:
This position is anticipated to close on Feb 27, 2026.

This is a hybrid position in Denver, CO.

The company is an equal‑opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.