Payroll Specialist, Senior

Department

Department: Financial Operations

Campus

Location:

Wichita, KS - WSU Main Campus

Hire Type: Full Time

Pay: $22.03 per hour / $45,800 per year

Work Schedule: 8-5; M-F

Export Compliance Requirement: No export control requirement.

Do you thrive on deadlines, precision, and solving complex challenges all at once? WSU is seeking a high energy, detail driven Senior Payroll Specialist who excels in a fast paced, confidential environment and takes pride in getting payroll right every time. This critical role ensures accurate and timely pay for a large and diverse employee population. The perfect candidate is someone who can move quickly without sacrificing accuracy, effectively juggle competing priorities, and maintain the highest level of trust when handling sensitive information.

Completes complex payroll transactions, which includes, but is not limited to, reviewing and auditing payroll transactions, compiling financial reports and reconciling accounts.

Reviews, processes and audits complex payroll transactions. Compiles financial reports and reconciles accounts. Maintains accurate records, ensuring that payroll transactions are entered timely so that balancing of payroll file and delivery to state system is completed by deadline. Generates payroll reports and audits and resolves discrepancies. Responds to inquiries related to transactions or payments.

• Reviewing, processing, and auditing complex payroll transactions to ensure accuracy and compliance
• Entering and validating payroll data under strict deadlines to ensure payroll files are balanced and delivered on schedule
• Researching, reconciling, and resolving payroll discrepancies with a high level of ownership
• Generating and analyzing payroll reports; identifying issues before they become problems
• Responding to payroll inquiries with professionalism, discretion, and a service‑oriented mindset
• Safeguarding sensitive and confidential employee data at all times

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Four (4) years of experience in payroll, finance or related field. Every 30 hours of college coursework can be substituted for two (2) years of experience.

• Knowledge of payroll processes, practices, and controls, including auditing and reconciliation of complex payroll transactions
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll, wage, and hour requirements sufficient to ensure accuracy and compliance
• Knowledge of payroll reporting, record‑keeping standards, and documentation requirements
• Knowledge of confidentiality requirements and handling of sensitive employee and payroll information
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills to research, identify, and resolve payroll discrepancies accurately and efficiently
• High level of attention to detail with the ability to maintain accuracy in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment
• Effective organizational and time‑management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously
• Proficient written and verbal communication skills to respond to payroll inquiries clearly and professionally
• Skill in maintaining accurate records and producing payroll reports and audit documentation

Preferred experience includes processing and auditing complex, high‑volume payroll transactions; reconciling payroll data; generating payroll reports; handling confidential employee information; and working effectively in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.

• Payroll‑related training or coursework in payroll processing, accounting, finance, or business operations
• Professional development or continuing education related to payroll compliance, wage and hour regulations, or payroll auditing practices
• Experience‑based training in payroll systems, reporting tools, or enterprise financial systems
• On‑the‑job or formal training focused on confidentiality, data protection, and handling sensitive employee information

This position is part of a collaborative payroll team responsible…