Payroll Accountant

Payroll Accountant

Department: Fiscal Services

Classification: Financial Svcs Specialist 1

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary starting at $60k, commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Financial Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Payroll Office is responsible for the timely and accurate processing of all University payrolls. The Payroll Office reconciles health care billings, payroll liability accounts, the VRS snapshot, processes invoices for payment to all vendors for employee/employer with holdings. The Payroll Office withholds and remits payments for garnishments, tax liens, and child support orders, and makes retroactive pay adjustments. The Payroll Office submits quarterly filings for unemployment, federal and state taxes to the appropriate taxing authorities and generates annual W2s.

About the Position:

The Payroll Accountant is responsible for processing payments to all benefit vendors associated with the employee benefits program and reconciling payroll liability accounts. This includes collaborating with the Benefits Team on reconciliation efforts, conducting related research, and coordinating with external state agencies such as the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) and the Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM). In addition, this role collaborates with the International Tax Office to process tax deposits in compliance with NRA-1042 requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Oversees the end-to-end payment process for all vendors associated with the HR Benefits Program, ensuring timely and accurate disbursement of funds. Includes:
• Generates benefits payable reports each pay period to track outgoing payments and ensure alignment with payroll deductions;
• Coordinates closely with the Accounts Payable department to initiate and process payments to both internal and external vendors, including those related to garnishments, tax levies, liens, and child support orders;
• Prepares journal entries for all benefit-related financial activities;
• Acts as the primary point of contact for benefit vendors, addressing inquiries and resolving any issues related to payment discrepancies or delays;
• Collaborates with the Benefits Team to investigate and reconcile benefit payment transactions;

• Engages with external agencies such as the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) and the Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) to research and resolve any discrepancies in employer contributions;
• Prepares, reconciles, uploads, and submits required contribution reports in compliance with agency and regulatory requirements;
• Responsible for reconciling payroll liability accounts on a monthly basis and ensuring timely resolution of outstanding reconciliation issues. This requires collaboration with relevant stakeholders to promptly resolve discrepancies and maintaining accurate, up-to-date documentation for all related processes and procedures;
• Collaborates with the International Tax Office to process tax deposits in compliance with NRA-1042 requirements;
• Prepares journal vouchers, perform monthly account reconciliations, and investigate and resolve any reconciling discrepancies;
• Maintains accurate, up-to-date documentation for all related processes and procedures; and
• Assists with other duties as assigned and serve as backup to the other payroll accountants as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Demonstrated experience in account reconciliation with a medium to large organization;
• Direct customer service and problem solving experience necessary;
• Knowledge of accounting principles, policies and procedures, with emphasis on payroll accounting;
• Demonstrated organizational and interpersonal skills, and commitment to quality customer service, to include communicating with employees about confidential payroll issues;
• Strong math skills and exceptional attention to detail;
• Ability to explain complex laws, policies and procedures clearly;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently to…