Accounting Technician

General Summary Under the direction of the Director of Business Affairs, the Accounting Technician provides specialized administrative, accounting, and human resources support with primary responsibility for payroll processing and travel coordination/reconciliation. The position serves as the main point of contact for employee payroll matters, HR administrative coordination, and travel logistics for College personnel. The incumbent may assist in other Business Affairs functions (e.g., accounts payable/receivable, procurement, and general accounting) as needed.

The role requires discretion, judgment, and initiative while maintaining strict confidentiality and supporting CMN’s mission in a multicultural, Native American higher education setting.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities Payroll Processing (Primary)
Process bi-weekly payroll accurately and on schedule in the College’s payroll system.

Verify timesheets, attendance, and leave records; ensure approvals are documented and compliant with policy.

Calculate wages, overtime, differentials, deductions, and benefits in accordance with federal, state, and tribal regulations.

Set up and maintain employee payroll profiles (new hires, terminations, salary/wage changes, tax withholding, direct deposit).Prepare, reconcile, and submit payroll tax reports and filings; support year-end processes (W-2s, 1095-Cs as applicable).Reconcile payroll general ledger accounts; research and resolve discrepancies promptly.

Generate routine and ad hoc payroll reports for management, grants, and auditors; maintain secure payroll records.

Respond to employee inquiries regarding pay, deductions, and tax documents with professionalism and confidentiality.

Assisting with benefit enrollment and benefit enrollment setup in Travel Coordination and Reconciliation (Primary)
Coordinate travel arrangements for College personnel, including flights, lodging, ground transportation, and registrations, in alignment with CMN travel policies and budget constraints.

Review and process travel authorizations and advances; ensure funding source and approval routing are correct.

Track travel expenditures by department and funding source; maintain documentation for audit readiness.

Reconcile travel expenses against receipts and itineraries; process reimbursements and closeouts in a timely manner.

Serve as liaison with travel vendors; resolve booking issues, schedule changes, and billing discrepancies.

Human Resources Support (As Needed)
Coordinate onboarding and offboarding: new hire packets, I-9/E-Verify, direct deposit, tax forms, keys/badges, and exit checklists.

Maintain personnel files and HRIS records; ensure confidentiality, data integrity, and retention compliance.

Process benefits enrollments/changes and deductions; liaise with benefits vendors as needed.

Track and reconcile leave (PTO, sick, FMLA, LWOP) and ensure approvals are documented; support time and attendance corrections.

Assist with job postings, applicant tracking coordination, interview scheduling, and background checks.

Support payroll-related HR updates (rate changes, stipends, supplemental pay, retro adjustments) and position control updates.

Prepare routine HR reports (headcount, turnover, leave balances) and compliance documentation.

Coordinate required trainings (onboarding/orientation logistics) and track completions.

Assist with policy dissemination, employee communications, and handbook updates.

Support workers’ compensation, incident reporting, and return-to-work documentation.

Assist with the Open Enrollment Benefits processing in Paycom.

General Accounting Support (As Needed)
Assist with accounts payable/receivable processing, purchase orders, and invoice coding/entry.

Support month-end and year-end close, including accruals, reconciliations, and audit schedules.

Maintain internal controls, organized files, and data integrity across accounting systems.

Prepare correspondence, summaries, and reports; provide coverage for Business Affairs functions during absences or peak periods.

Operate personal computer to access accounting software, email, electronic calendar, and related support software.

Assume additional duties and responsibilities as may be reasonably expected of a person in this position.

Standard for Merit Performance Perform duties in an effective and efficient manner; be motivated, conscientious, thorough, accurate, and reliable with respect to attendance. Exhibit exemplary oral communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

Job Specifications

Minimum Requirements Associate degree in accounting, business administration, or related field OR two (2) years of payroll/accounting support experience.

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word; experience with accounting, payroll, and HRIS software.

Working knowledge of payroll regulations, tax withholding, and basic benefits administration.

Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and time management.

Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive HR and payroll information with…