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Payroll & Budget Specialist

This position reports directly to the Payroll and Budget Manager. The Payroll and Budget Specialist will assist in the processing of payroll and provides support to the Payroll and Budget Manager in the preparation of budgets and preparation of financial and other related reports. In addition, the Payroll and Budget Specialist serves as part of the ACD customer service team.

Responsibilities

Responsible for bi-weekly payroll processing and maintenance utilizing UKG Ready, ensuring accurate and timely payroll administration.

Reviews employee profiles entered by Human Resources to ensure payroll-related data is accurate and complete for successful payroll processing, including verification of pay profiles, organizational assignments, deductions, and payroll-related fields.

Processes and maintains employee compensation changes including promotions, reassignments, salary and hourly pay adjustments, base compensation, additional compensation, and applicable medical salary and other deduction changes.

Reviews and updates payroll-related deductions including benefit deductions, deferred compensation, garnishments, and other payroll withholding changes.

Reviews and audits employee electronic timesheets for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with payroll policies and procedures.

Reviews employee accrual balances including sick, vacation, personal, compensatory time, and New Jersey Earned Sick Leave. Performs manual adjustments and corrections to accruals as needed and resolves system discrepancies within UKG Ready.

Reviews and verifies specialty pays including out-of-job title pay, on-call pay, and other premium pay types to ensure proper rates are applied and system-related discrepancies are corrected.

Performs payroll preparation and bi-weekly payroll wrap-up functions, including preparation of transfer of funds documentation, payroll balancing, payroll reporting, reconciliation of voluntary deductions, and processing of payroll-related payments such as child support income withholding, deferred compensation, pension contributions, and other payroll obligations.

Initiates and processes payroll-related payments including, but not limited to, child support income withholding, deferred compensation, pension contributions, and other payroll obligations.

Assists with pension administration and reporting, including preparation, review, and submission of required pension-related payroll information.

Prepares, reviews, and distributes various checks related to employee-deducted insurance plans and other payroll-related payments.

Assists with the bi-weekly review of payroll tax deductions and supports the quarterly reconciliation and filing of federal and state payroll taxes, including Form 941 (federal) and NJ-927 (state).

Assists with the preparation and review of employee W-2 forms and supports the completion and submission of required federal and state transmittal filings, including Form W-3 (federal) and NJ-W-3/NJ-W-3M (state).

Assists with the preparation of payroll-related 1099 forms if applicable.

Assists with the preparation, distribution, and filing of ACA (Affordable Care Act) including 1095-C forms for employees and supports all related federal and state requirements, including filing Form 1094-C (federal transmittal) and submitting 1095-C forms to the IRS and applicable state agencies.

Serves as part of the ACD customer service team which duties include:

• Answer and direct calls.
• Provide general and detailed information to customers, employees, and visitors. Refer individuals to the appropriate staff member for assistance as necessary. Respond independently whenever possible.
• Maintain the customer service database to include customer data entry, request for information and/or service (i.e., bucket, missed collection stops), respond quickly and efficiently to customer follow-up calls, and adhere to the required customer service phone coverage.
• Will share the responsibility of completing the daily deposit.
• Assists with the preparation of the annual operating budget.
• Assists with the preparation of the quarterly/interim budget reporting.
• Prepares overtime reports and payroll-related labor reporting.
• Assists with the preparation of salary and other expense information utilized for shared service contract pricing
• Performs other duties as directed by Supervisor.
• As needed and/or directed, assist the ACUA with its environmental mission and commitment to excellent customer service, to include but not limited to serve in an advocacy role, help with site tours, attend events and activities that the Authority participates in or sponsors.

Remains compliant with all training requirements for this position. The training requirements for this position are located on InsideACUA in the Employee Resources section (Blue Box) under Training Resources.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Associates degree in a related field

Minimum of 2 years of related experience

Preferred Education and Experience Requirements

Bachelor's degree in finance or other related degree

Familiarity with UKG Ready, Edmunds, GovTech, Wasteworks and Microsoft CRM Systems

Essential Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

Valid driver's license in good standing

Ability to compose and prepare correspondence, reports and complex documents

Ability to reconcile daily cash receipts and coordinate deposits

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, & PowerPoint) and other related applications

The Authority offers a competitive salary, health benefits, dental, vision, pension (PERS), and generous paid time off and holidays. For immediate consideration, please apply online at and click link "Careers".

ACUA is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We take affirmative action to hire, recruit and promote individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability

Salary Range - $45,000 - $55,000

Deadline to submit applications is July 17, 2026.