Senior Payroll Accountant

Job Summary

Under the direct supervision of the Payroll Manager, processes semi-monthly payrolls and follows up with time input errors. Primary duties also include automatic deposit of payroll checks, remittances of settlement of payroll liabilities, data entry, and calculation of adjustments for payrolls. Serves as the department lead in the absence of the Payroll Manager.

• Initiates the semi-monthly payroll cycles by ensuring that all time entries have been approved and/or validated by the appropriate supervisors.
• Contacts employees and supervisors to ensure the accuracy of timesheets submitted for payroll processing.
• Finalizes the payroll process by updating year-to-date totals, generating payroll reports, submitting the payroll general ledger data for posting, and transmitting the direct deposit file to the bank.
• Generates, analyzes and submits data files to vendors.
• Processes and remits vouchers for payment.
• Executes report programs as needed; creates and analyzes ad hoc reports.
• Writes and maintains training manual of payroll applications and procedures.
• Manages electronic data exchange and data feeds to the financial reporting system.
• Balances payroll vendor check amounts to finance system prior to submitting for payment.
• Reviews invoices of other backup documentation, obtains appropriate approvals and submits vouchers to Accounts Payable; ensures remittances are made in a timely manner.
• Enters insurance deductions into the payroll system for new hires, open enrollment and qualifying events.
• Generates insurance reconciliation files and analyzes the reconciliations for accuracy.
• Performs reconciliations for employer and employee insurance benefits with the general ledger, troubleshoots to determine corrective action needed, and manually enters required adjustments into the payroll system.
• Resolves all errors generated during the payroll process.
• Confirms the accuracy of the payroll by reviewing all adjustments and related entries and notifying the appropriate personnel as needed.
• Maintains cumulative balance of earning and tax information for easier reconciliation of quarterly and year-end data.
• Prints all payroll checks and direct deposit advices.
• Maintains check and direct deposit register.
• Maintains direct deposit and garnishment information.
• Processes voids and check re-issues.

• Bachelor’s degree with 15 semester hours in accounting courses; an associate’s degree with 12 semester hours in accounting courses and two years of accounting experience; or a high school diploma and four years of fiscal experience.
• Knowledge of accounting principles, practices and techniques.
• Knowledge of policies and procedures affecting a payroll department.
• Knowledge of electronic data exchange (EDE) and college/university payroll accounting.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven customer service skills.
• Ability to analyze, evaluate, develop and implement recommendations on operational systems and procedures and establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, faculty and staff.
• Exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to participate in workshops and related activities.

Experience with electronic data exchange, payroll processing and college/university payroll software.

Annual Salary/Hiring Range: $51,798 - $53,581; actual salary depends on qualifications.

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Telecommuting: Employees are not eligible for telecommuting/remote work during their 12-month probationary period. After that time, certain positions may be eligible for telecommuting/remote work at the discretion of the supervisor and in accordance with Winthrop policies.