Payroll Specialist III (SR-22)

Payroll Accounting

Performs difficult and responsible payroll accounting activities, including the generation, reconciliation and recording of the County's semi-monthly payroll; and/or supervises accounting and clerical staff; and performs other related duties as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This class is distinguished by its responsibility to perform difficult and responsible payroll accounting activities within the Central Payroll section to ensure timely and accurate payment of the County's payroll obligations; and/or supervises accounting and clerical staff. Work assignments are difficult and complex and require the analysis and application of advanced methods and techniques of payroll administration and applicable standards, guides, and regulations relative to such areas as payroll law, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), garnishments, levies, and collective bargaining provisions. Work assignments and tasks require an exercise in judgment in selecting the most pertinent guideline, interpreting precedents, adapting standard practices to differing situations and recommending alternative actions in situations without precedent.

Examples Of Duties

• Collects, compiles, classifies and evaluates payroll data;
• Conducts internal reviews to insure that payroll systems and procedures are effective, efficient and properly implemented;
• Confers with other agency officials on payroll matters;
• Assists management officials by interpreting payroll data, statements, reports, etc., and explaining the implications of the data;
• Ensures the accuracy of the County's payroll from verifying and auditing timesheet entries through the processing and printing of payroll checks and reports;
• Ensures compliance with all applicable methods and techniques, standards, guidelines, and regulations relating to payroll law, etc.;
• Verifies and analyzes payroll claims for payments to ensure accuracy, completeness and legality of all earnings and deductions;
• Reviews, analyzes, and verifies the accuracy of the adjustments and documentations;
• Reviews and reconciles source documents and performs audits of transactional data for changes made to employee profiles for certain employee benefit elections;
• Researches, analyzes, and gathers information for the preparation of detailed procedures, methods, and milestones for payroll projects, such as FLSA, time and attendance, etc.;
• Ensures accurate tracking of exceptional pay situations and follows-up as needed to resolve discrepancies;
• Files reports and payments to appropriate agencies or financial institutions for retirement, medical, Federal, and State taxes withheld, flexible spending, bank deposits, etc.;
• Reviews and reconciles employee pay data due to payroll corrections or retroactive adjustments;
• Assists with the development, recommendation, and implementation of payroll processing procedures for the County ensuring required actions are made within deadlines;
• Performs complex office automation duties requiring different approaches and methods from one assignment and/or program to another;
• Provides training as necessary to employees on payroll applications;
• May supervise lower-level accounting and clerical subordinates;
• Keeps abreast of changes in State and Federal laws and collective bargaining provisions that affect payroll processing;
• Recommends changes of forms, procedures, and policies as needed;
• Executes office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents or files, using electronic mail and information systems;
• Prepares statistical and operational reports;
• Attends and participates in meetings involving payroll processing and related matters;
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Training and Experience: A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration, or related field; and two and one-half (2½) years of professional payroll accounting work experience. License Requirement: None Knowledge of: General accounting and payroll practices in a government setting; practical working knowledge of management information systems; County of Maui's procedures for preparing and processing payroll; applicable Federal and State laws, ordinances, fiscal policies, regulations, and collective bargaining provisions; recordkeeping and report writing, office practices and procedures. Ability to: Understand and interpret regulations, resolutions, contracts and ordinances; understand and reconcile payroll records; maintain confidentiality of sensitive personal information of employees; make and verify arithmetic computations with speed and accuracy; use spreadsheets and other automated tools to conduct payroll data analyses; identify document errors and effect necessary corrections; work under the pressure of recurrent deadlines with frequent interruptions; work in collaboration with other departments/agencies and individuals; follow oral and written instructions; balance, prioritize and organize multiple tasks. Health and Physical Condition: Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations. Physical Effort Grouping: Light