Senior Payroll Specialist (Remote)

 

 

Alliant International University is a professional practice University committed to excellence in four areas: Education for Professional Practice, Scholarship, Multicultural and International Competence, and Community Engagement. The University provides students with the highest quality of education through excellence and innovation in academic scholarship, applied training and research, and community service, particularly to underserved populations. Through its Mission, the University's goal is to equip students with the competencies they need to effectively practice in the professional setting, provide public benefit and make an impact in their communities by addressing major contemporary social issues.

 

Our Mission: Alliant International University prepares students for professional careers of service and leadership and promotes the discovery and application of knowledge to improve the lives of people in diverse cultures and communities around the world.

 

Our Vision: An inclusive world empowered by Alliant alumni.

 

Our IMPACT Values:

• Inclusion: We value and engage the rich diversity of the Alliant community.
• Mentoring: We provide guidance and create enabling environments for success.
• Passion: We bring enthusiasm, creativity, and authenticity to our work.
• Accountability: We act with integrity and responsibility in all we do.
• Communication: We are responsive, transparent, and respectful in our interactions.
• Teamwork: We collaborate to develop innovative solutions for our community.

Position Summary:

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for accurately and efficiently managing the university’s payroll processes, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. This role oversees both a semi-monthly payroll for exempt employees and a bi-weekly payroll for non-exempt employees, including adjunct professors, totaling approximately 800 employees across multiple states. The Payroll Specialist will serve as the primary point of contact for payroll inquiries and will work closely with HR, Finance, and departmental leadership to maintain payroll accuracy and integrity. This position will act as liaison with third-party payroll processors. 

 

Starting Salary: $33.33 an hour ($65,000 annualized, Full-Time, Non-Exempt, 37.5 hour-work week).

 

Benefits Plans Include: Medical/Prescription, Dental, Vision, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Voluntary Life and AD&D, Voluntary Benefit Plans:  Accident, Critical Illness, or Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Legal Plan, Transportation Spending Account, Employee Tuition Waiver.

 

Qualifications:

Education:  Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field preferred; or equivalent payroll experience.

Experience: Experience processing payroll for adjunct faculty or academic staff a plus. Familiarity with benefit deductions and payroll-tax reconciliations.

Certifications, Licenses, etc.: Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) a plus.

 

Skills:

•             Accuracy and attention to detail.

•             Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

•             Excellent communication and customer service skills.

•             Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

•             Team-oriented mindset with ability to collaborate across departments.

 

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

•             Process and administer bi-weekly (non-exempt) and semi-monthly (exempt) payroll cycles, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.

•             Maintain and update payroll records, including earnings, deductions, taxes, direct deposits, and adjustments.

•             Audit payroll data for accuracy (hours worked, overtime, stipends, and faculty pay for adjunct professors).

•             Partner with departments to ensure accurate employee data entry (new hires, terminations, salary changes, leave adjustments).  

•             Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws, wage and hour regulations, and university policies.

•             Prepare and reconcile payroll reports, including earnings summaries, tax withholdings, and deductions.

•             Collaborate with Finance and OPC on payroll-related journal entries, reconcili