Payroll Accountant

Work Arrangement type On-Site (Hamilton, NY) – expected to work fully at the designated campus/office location.

Hiring Wage/Salary Range

Hiring Wage/Salary Range $60,000 to $68,000

Professional Experience/ Qualifications

Experience with Microsoft Office applications, specifically utilizing Excel to analyze data, maintain records, and build functional spreadsheets.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a focus on precision, clarity, and error-free recordkeeping.

Ability to engage professionally and respectfully with a broad, diverse higher education community, including faculty, staff, and students.

Proven capability to handle sensitive payroll and personnel information while maintaining strict confidentiality protocols.

Direct experience calculating complex payroll components, resolving missing documentation, and clearly explaining payroll breakdowns to employees.

Preferred Qualifications

Education

A bachelor’s degree is preferred.

Certifications

When extending an offer, Colgate University considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations.

Physical Requirements

Other Information

Work visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Colgate University offers a competitive benefits package, with most benefits effective on the date of hire. Highlights include: medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, paid time off, paid family leave, health & wellness, continuing education and professional development. We also offer unique perks, such as free parking, gym discounts, bookstore savings, athletic tickets, and access to cultural and recreational facilities. Explore the full benefits package on our Benefits page .

Department Statement

Accountabilities

The Payroll Accountant is responsible for:

• Providing operational support for all steps required for delivering of timely, reliable and accurate payroll to University employees and student workers.
• Ensuring compliance and timely remittance of payroll, payroll tax and fringe benefits.
• Ensuring reconciliation of payroll related vendor accounts.
• Serving as a point of contact, providing as back-up to the Payroll Manager.
• Providing quality customer service to employee and student worker inquiries in a timely, professional manner with follow-up communication as necessary.
• Validating financial reports and data integrity to ensure error-free analysis and compliance.
• Reviewing, processing, approving, or rejecting financial transactions in alignment with university policies and systems.
• Executing timely, complete general ledger entries and performing routine ledger reconciliations.
• Processing payroll accurately and consistently, ensuring correct with holdings, deductions, and tax with holdings.
• Reconciling payroll files and generating accurate deliverables for taxes, garnishments, and fringe benefits.
• Delivering measurable results, owning operational decisions and outcomes, and incorporating feedback for continuous performance improvement.
• Communicating clearly across diverse audiences, collaborating on key information, and maintaining strict confidentiality for private data.
• Resolving operational challenges through prioritized problem-solving, collaborative decision-making, and alignment with organizational goals.
• Maintaining baseline performance and continuity during transitions, organizational initiatives, and evolving university procedures.

Temporary

Temporary No

Work Schedule

Job Open Date

Job Open Date 09/21/2026

Job Close Date

Open Until Filled No

Special Instructions Summary

EEO Statement

The University recognizes that equal employment opportunity can only be achieved through…