Payroll Accountant

Overview

Department: Business Affairs-Payroll

Classification: Accountant 1

Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing

Salary: $24.99 - $38.15 per hour

FTE: 1.0

Review of Applications Begins March 6, 2026; position open until filled.

Special Instructions to Applicants Please include the following with your online application:

• A current resume;
• Names and contact information for three professional references. References will be conducted if you are a finalist in the search, and you will be contacted first.

In your online application, please be sure to outline three years of accounting experience and note a CPA or PA certificate AND upload transcripts for all required and/or related courses.

The Payroll Accountant supports the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of the university’s payroll, benefits, and retirement accounting functions. This position performs complex reconciliations of employee payroll deductions, retirement contributions, union dues, and benefit payments, working closely with Human Resources, vendors, and payroll staff to identify discrepancies, resolve issues, and ensure proper financial posting. The role assists with PEBB daily files, retirement entry processing, and reconciliation activities, as well as the preparation, auditing, and submission of union reporting and vendor invoices.

A key responsibility of this position is supporting payroll processing through the calculation and collection of over payments, processing of daily manual checks, and assisting the Payroll Accounting team with payroll posting, tax reconciliations, and research related to payroll tax accounts. The Payroll Accountant also processes benefit and retirement adjustments, performs testing of system programming changes and releases, and contributes to the accuracy of payroll data across systems.

The position plays a critical role in supporting workflow efficiency by establishing and verifying employee job records, mandatory deductions, tax withholding, retirement codes, benefit codes, and other key data elements in the Banner HRIS system. The accountant ensures consistency and compliance with pay rules, personnel policies, and data standards across all employee classifications. The role also develops and maintains data tools to streamline payroll processes and collaborates with management to identify and implement automation and workflow improvements.

Through a combination of analytical skills, attention to detail, and collaboration with internal and external partners, the Payroll Accountant helps safeguard payroll accuracy, maintain regulatory compliance, and support efficient payroll operations across the university.

Bachelor's degree with CPA or PA certificate; OR

• Bachelor's degree with 30 quarter (20 semester) hours of college-level Accounting, OR
• 30 quarter (20 semester) hours of Accounting courses and three years of Accounting experience.*

Transcripts must be submitted for all required and/or related courses. All courses must be from accredited colleges, universities, or private vocational schools.

• Accounting experience must include at least 3 of the following:

• Preparing transactions to be recorded in records of original entry;
• Preparing journal entries, posting from journals to general ledger, or preparing original general ledger entries;
• Summarizing data from a ledger to a trial balance;
• Closing accounts at the end of an accounting period;
• Applying PC spreadsheet, database, and word processing software;
• Processing data using a computer.

• Exceptional customer service skills and the ability to represent Business Affairs and the university in a friendly, helpful, and professional manner.
• Excellent analytical, written, and verbal communication skills and ability to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Ability to interpret and apply rules and regulations in a compliant manner.
• Ability to explain (verbally and in writing) complex rules and regulations to various audiences in a meaningful and effective manner.
• Proficiency in computer software technology.
• Independent problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Confidentiality.

• Direct experience with payroll processes and accounting.
• Direct experience with health insurance billing practices.
• Direct experience with creating and reconciling federal and state tax forms.
• Direct experience working with IT staff to develop data extraction processes and reports.

FLSA Exempt: No

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

This is a classified position represented by the SEIU Local 503, Oregon Public Employees Union.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit our website.

The University of Oregon is an equal-opportunity institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance…