Payroll Accountant

The Payroll Accountant is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll for all County employees, maintaining payroll and personnel data, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. In addition to core payroll responsibilities, this position serves as a key resource for payroll systems, reporting, and process improvement initiatives.

Processes payrolls with a high degree of accuracy and timeliness.

Support on employee payroll records, earnings, deductions, taxes, and leave balances.

Prepare and file payroll taxes, garnishments, and retirement contributions.

Reconcile payroll data and support year-end processes (W-2s, audit support).

Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies and employee inquiries.

Ensure compliance with FLSA, IRS, Wisconsin retirement regulations, and County policies.

Serve as a payroll system expert, supporting configuration, testing, and troubleshooting.

Work with Finance, HR, and IT to improve system workflows, integrations, and data accuracy.

Maintain documentation for payroll processes and internal controls.

Develop and produce payroll-related reports.

Identify opportunities for automation and process improvements.

Participate in HRIS enhancements and payroll-related project initiatives.

Support training, communication, and implementation of new procedures.

Responsible for the application and implementation of all existing union contracts, the wage schedules, and County policies as related to payroll, in coordination with the Department of Administration.

Verifies wages, employment, and other information to appropriate parties as necessary or requested.

It is unlikely an employee will perform all the duties listed on a regular basis, nor is the list exhaustive in the sense it covers all the duties an employee may be required to perform. The examples are merely indicative, not restrictive.

None

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business, human resources, or related field with experience in payroll processing desired, and/or government or multi-unit payroll experience is a plus; or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Ability to utilize strong basic arithmetic and proficiency in leveraging Excel for analytical thinking, while managing extreme attention to detail and numerical accuracy. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of quantitative and/or qualitative variables. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of word processing software, spreadsheet software, payroll systems, and other related business accounting software.

None required

Knowledge of policies and procedures relating to payroll and fringe benefit management processing and ability to readily acquire knowledge of County accounting and payroll systems.

Knowledge of basic accounting principles relating to payroll processing, and an understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and procedures, and governmental accounting.

Ability to coordinate and implement…