Accounting Associate

Description

Under general supervision of the Payroll Manager, within the department of Financial Affairs, the position manages a variety of complex and critical payroll functions including but not limited to annual salary increase programs, collective bargaining salary increases, calculation and collections of salary over payments, tax adjustments due to over/underpayments, and serve as main point of contact for employee compensation questions. Position will be key in implementation of institutional pay policies and the development and maintenance of department statements of procedures, payroll workflows and operating efficiencies.

Position is responsible for maintaining knowledge of all applicable tax laws and regulations.

Payroll Administration 100%

• Calculate and process all retroactive salary adjustments resulting from collective bargaining agreements, annual salary increase programs and other salary adjustments. Process includes detail review of any changes in employee status for each employee affected by the increase and a calculation of retroactive adjustment encompassing the employment changes.
• Manage the calculation and collection process for employee salary over payments and underpayments. Position is responsible for accurately calculating the amount of the over payment including any tax and retirement considerations. Position will be responsible for preparing analysis of over/underpayment to be provided to employee and be able to discuss the calculation in detail with the employee. Prepare all corresponding journal entries and reconcile general ledger accounts related to receipt of over payments.
• Manage the collection of the incentive payback process. This process includes monitoring terminations and collaborating with Human Resource staff and departmental staff to determine employees who have not met the employment requirement per the agreement. Calculate the payback amount, prepare the payback agreement, if necessary, communicate with the employee regarding the payback process and account for the receipt of funds in the general ledger.
• Responsible for monitoring SURS withholding adjustments with regards to income limits, researching and resolving any discrepancies according to the regulations of each contribution plan and compensation limits. Position must maintain knowledge of SURS program limits for each retirement plan and have a thorough understanding of pay elements applicable to SURS withholding. Serve as a point of contact for the State Universities Retirement System regarding with holdings discrepancies and payment reconciliations.
• Manage the year-end W-2 process for the SOM. Collaborate with the SIUC payroll department on all required W-2 adjustments and supplemental W-2 processing. Verify additional earnings reporting for late travel, forgivable loans and other adjustments are processed accurately and timely.
• Manage the annual parking payroll deduction process. Ensure all appropriate documentation is accurate and resolve any discrepancies. Verify file parameters are accurate for upload into the payroll system.
• Assist in review of monthly, semi-monthly and bi-weekly payroll transactions verifying accuracy of entries.
• Interpret complex rules and regulations of the IRS, State, the University, and SIU Health Care as they relate to payroll. Assure that the necessary rules and regulations are employed in the payroll process.
• Responsible for responding promptly and accurately to all payroll inquiries for reporting requests including Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), internal and external audit inquiries, quarterly unemployment audit, and preparation of 990 payroll reporting data. In addition, assist in reporting requirements for the Illinois Board for Higher Education Resource Allocation and Management Program, Illinois State Legislature reporting, and ad hoc reporting for executive leadership.

Credentials to be Verified by Placement Officer

• A. Bachelor's degree with a major in Accountancy or related field AND two (2) years of professional accounting experience
• B. Possession of current registration as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management…