Payroll Specialist

The Highlights: This position is responsible for processing and maintaining payroll records involving employee earnings, taxes, and deductions. The position performs duties and tasks necessary to prepare and process biweekly payrolls in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and university policies. This position is the primary processor of requests for off-cycle paychecks and performs activities necessary to ensure nonresident alien tax compliance. The incumbent must have proficient communication, customer service, and computer skills and demonstrate discretion in dealing with confidential information.

What You'll Do:

• Processes requests for off-cycle paychecks. Performs all activities necessary to issue off-cycle paychecks, including entering payment information and running system processes and reports. Serves as backup to primary payroll processor for running regular biweekly payrolls. 
• Runs and reviews system reports to detect issues (e.g. new hires without timesheets, invalid state tax setup) and takes appropriate actions to ensure issues are resolved in a manner conducive to timely and accurate payroll processing. 
• Processes and validates employee records including but not limited to personnel action forms, non-base pay requests, W-4s, and benefit deductions. Reviews forms to ensure they are complete and appropriately approved. Enters data into HRIS system and reviews data entered by others to ensure information in the system is correct. 
• Interacts with domestic and international employees to collect information necessary to determine tax status. Enters information in nonresident alien tax software and HRIS system to ensure appropriate withholdings and facilitate year-end tax reporting. Files appropriate forms with the IRS for tax treaty exemptions. 
• Other duties include but are not limited to: 
     • Assisting in supervising Payroll department student employees to perform customer service, data entry, and other clerical functions
     • Providing excellent customer service to answer payroll questions
     • Researching and documenting payroll issues
     • Reviewing process documentation to ensure all processes are adequately documented and creating/updating documentation as necessary
     • Testing HRIS and nonresident alien software during system patching and upgrades
     • Collaborating with other Controller's Office team members, Human Resources, Facility Operations, and Office of Student Employment to streamline processes by identifying and working toward shared goals and other cross-functional issues. 
• The payroll administrator helps supervise one or more student employees. Responsibilities include hiring, scheduling, training, and monitoring performance of student employees.
• The payroll administrator plays a critical role in ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant processing of the university's payroll in excess of $300 million annually. The position has access to and is responsible for highly confidential personnel information and plays a critical role in ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant processing of the university's payroll. 
   

What You'll Need:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, business, or human resources is required.
• 3 years previous payroll or related experience is required. 
• Prior experience with Oracle Cloud or similar HRIS system is preferred. 
• Knowledge of tax, auditing, garnishment, union payroll administration, nonresident alien taxation, and/or internal controls is preferred. 
• Higher education experience is preferred. 
• Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) preferred
• Computer utilization requires manual dexterity. Near vision is required.
• Ability to communicate with clarity, tact, and courtesy, and demonstrate judgement and discretion in the sharing of sensitive  
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced work environment 
• Ability to learn, understand, and utilize ERP software at an advanced level 
• Ability to explain complex topics to customers
• Advanced spreadsheet, database, and word processing skills 
• Customer service skillsConscientiousness/dependability
• Highly organized and detail-oriented in order to track, manage, and resolve multiple open issues in a timely, efficient, and accurate manner
• Knowledge of payroll laws and regulations
• Knowledge of tax, auditing, internal control, and/or Sarbanes/Oxley concepts
• Math/computational skills
• Teamwork/collaboration skills 
• Time management skills 
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Occasional evening overtime may be necessary on payroll weeks and during periods of high volume data processing.

Perks: