Accountant II - Payroll

Salary: $68,277.67 - $78,518.96 Annually

Location: Royal Oak City Hall

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number:

Department: Finance

Opening Date: 02/09/2026

Closing Date: 2/22/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

The Accountant II – Payroll provides professional ownership over the City’s payroll operations and related financial reporting to ensure absolute accuracy and fiscal integrity. This role requires technical expertise to independently interpret and apply complex regulatory frameworks, including federal and state laws, city ordinances, and various employee agreements. A successful incumbent must exercise a high degree of independent judgment and analytical skill to manage the sensitive intersection of rules governing employee pay and governmental accounting with a strong commitment to confidentiality.

Beyond primary payroll, the position serves as a technical resource for general ledger maintenance, bank reconciliations, and audit preparation. This position reports directly to the Assistant Finance Director.

• Payroll Administration (Primary Focus)
• Tax & Compliance
• Bank Reconciliations (Secondary Focus)
• Financial Reporting & Analysis
• Process Improvement & Support
• Other Duties as Assigned

The Accountant II – Payroll
, upon application, shall have the following experience and training:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of four (4) years of experience in accounting or finance with similar responsibilities (municipal experience preferred).
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) preferred.

• Strong knowledge of payroll systems, accounting principles, and applicable laws.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, formulas, data analysis) strongly desired.
• Experience with BS&A or similar financial software preferred.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities under shifting deadlines.
• Ability to maintain strict ethical and confidential boundaries in a close-knit municipal environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a focus on professionalism and confidentiality.

Required Application Materials to submit with this application (provide as attachments):

• Resume
• Cover Letter

The City of Royal Oak provides full-time employees with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, prescription, vision, and dental coverage, flexible spending accounts, long and short-term disability, life insurance for employees and dependents, an Employee Assistance Program, access to a health and wellness center, and a robust retirement plan with both employee and employer contributions.

Employer: Royal Oak, City of (MI)
Address: 203 S Troy St, Royal Oak, Michigan, 48067
Phone:
Website: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./