Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of weekly payroll, ensuring compliance with all federal, state and local regulations, calculation of weekly payroll using an in-house payroll system, performing payroll reconciliations, and reviewing timesheet data.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, public administration, or a closely related field AND
• Two (2) years of experience preparing and processing payroll in a medium-to-large organization.
• A comparable amount of education and experience may be substituted for the minimum requirements.
• May be required to successfully complete and pass required skills testing.

Essential Functions:

• Prepares and calculates the weekly payroll to ensure timely and accurate processing of payroll transactions including salaries, benefits, garnishments, taxes, and other deductions.
• Serves as the point of contact for employee inquiries related to payroll.
• Processes Personnel Action Requests (PARs) in a timely manner.
• Creates deductions within the in-house payroll system to execute court-ordered child support orders, as well as other types of garnishments.
• Reviews electronic timesheet data for accuracy and compliance for all employees.
• Works closely with other departments to ensure alignment and efficiency.
• Performs account balance and payroll reconciliations.
• Completes the payroll process and prepares financial reports for accounting and auditing purposes.
• Manages workflow to ensure all payroll transactions are processed accurately and timely.
• Generates reports and distributes information to relevant stakeholders, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and timely communication.
• Develops and maintains benefit billing spreadsheets in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Ensures timely review and reconciliation of benefit billing and reporting data.
• Creates and posts journal records for accounting, accounts receivable, and payroll.
• May serve as a backup to the Lead Payroll Specialist.
• Attends work on a regular and consistent basis.
• Must adhere to federal, state, county, and local ordinances.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Status: Civilian

Blood and Viral Pathogen Risk: Minimal Risk

Environmental Conditions:

• General office setting with most duties being performed while sitting at a desk, table, or workstation.
• Must be able to work under stressful conditions.
• Must be able to relocate to other county locations based upon operational needs.
• Must be able to remain available to work when a public emergency or disaster occurs.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to establish and maintain efficient records.
• Ability to prepare complete accounting reports and statements of moderate complexity.
• Ability to treat confidential information with sensitivity.
• Ability to prepare payroll reports and statements.
• Ability to meet strict deadlines and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to interact effectively with others.
• Ability to read and comprehend technical and professional manuals and journals, financial reports, abstracts, legal documents, memos, instructions, and letters.
• Ability to perform advanced mathematical functions.
• Ability to write reports, financial statements, memos, letters, and summaries.
• Ability to speak clearly and concisely.
• Ability to analyze data and develop conclusions.
• Ability to identify and resolve problems.

Required Knowledge:

• VSO General Orders and procedures.
• Knowledge of accounting principles and best practices related to payroll.
• Knowledge of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and other federal and state regulations.
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and procedures, as they relate to governmental financial administration, and the ability to apply such knowledge to accounting transactions.
• Knowledge of proper taxation and employer paid benefits.
• Knowledge of computers, spreadsheets, and other financial software.
• Knowledge of the laws, rules, and regulations controlling fiscal record keeping.
• Knowledge of auditing accounting records.

Physical Requirements:

• Sedentary work.
• Manual dexterity.
• Ambulate independently.
• Sit for extended periods of time.
• Use a computer for extended periods of time.
• See at a normal range or with reasonable accommodation.
• Hear at a normal level or with reasonable accommodation.
• Occasionally bend, squat, reach, grasp.
• Occasionally lift up to ten pounds (10lbs).

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V