Payroll Specialist​/Staff Accountant

This role manages the biweekly payroll processes for staff and student employees, ensuring timely and accurate compensation. It plays a vital part in supporting the University’s accounting operations, with a strong emphasis on precision, efficiency, and responsive service. The position also serves as a primary payroll point of contact for faculty, staff, and students, handling both telephone and in‑person inquiries.

Key responsibilities include overseeing biweekly payroll cycles, verifying payroll changes submitted by Human Resources, and reconciling benefit accounts associated with payroll with holdings. The role supports core accounting functions by contributing to monthly account reconciliations and ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations through the timely processing and depositing of payroll taxes.

Payroll

• Verify Human Resources reports for new hires to ensure accuracy
• Review Human Resources reports for updates to employee benefits
• Conduct audit comparing timecard data from the timekeeping system to payroll records
• Process biweekly and student employee pay in an accurate and timely manner
• Send ACH files to the bank and submit federal tax deposits securely
• Reconcile state tax with holdings and deposit in timely manner due to state regulations
• Provide support to students, faculty, and staff regarding pay stubs and W-2 information
• Review benefit invoices and reconcile benefit with holdings for accuracy
• Work closely with Benefit Specialist on annual benefit renewal and payroll updates
• Assist the Controller with reconciling and preparing quarterly state tax reports to ensure compliance and accuracy

Accounting

• Review daily cash receipts edit, balance to deposit and post to general ledger. Scan daily bank deposit
• Review student web payments from online payment system and post to general ledger
• Serve as a backup for processing student account payments and making adjustments on behalf of the Accounts Receivable Associate
• Maintain, review and post to general ledger one card activity including meal plan uploads and adjustments
• Develop and produce reports to support the monitoring of the general ledger
• Provide assistance to the Controller with various special projects, such as analyzing meal plans, preparing financial reports, and managing tax withholding processes
• Assist with accounting processes, including preparing monthly and quarterly entries and facilitating the closing procedures
• Assist Accounting Manager with University credit card program including communication with credit card holders and review of documentation from employees
• Provide guidance to faculty, staff, and students on inquiries related to budgets and expenditures
• Prepare monthly transactions in the general ledger to ensure accurate financial record keeping.
• Set up new general ledger accounts as necessary and budget officer access

Customer Service

• Respond to a wide range of inquiries, from straightforward to more intricate questions
• Serve as a backup point of contact for faculty, staff, students, and the public regarding accounting and student billing concerns
• Clarify and communicate policies and procedures effectively
• Foster a welcoming and supportive environment for students and parents.

Business Office/Other functions

• Contribute to process improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities for efficiency and implementing solutions.
• Carry out additional responsibilities as requested, delegated or assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in business-related field with focus on accounting
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in payroll processing or related experience
• Demonstrated experience in customer service role, with ability to respond to customers promptly, accurately, and with a friendly demeanor.

Required Knowledge and

Skills:

• Proven ability to work effectively as a team member.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to problem solve and make independent decisions.
• Working knowledge of spreadsheets and word processing
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Must be able to multitask and work in fast paced environment.
• Sensitive to cultural diversity and…