Payroll Administrator

Payroll Administrator

Responsible for leading and administering the County's comprehensive payroll operations, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for all employees. With regular attendance, this role oversees the integrity and maintenance of payroll data, develops and implements audit and quality-control procedures, and ensures adherence to federal and state tax laws. Working collaboratively with Technology Services, Human Resources, software vendors, and other stakeholders, this position supports ongoing system maintenance, problem resolution, and implementation of new payroll and benefits technologies.

Essential Functions, Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties

• Administer the County's payroll functions including biweekly payroll processing, payroll accruals, payroll tax levy payments (garnishments) W-2 processing including State and Federal tax reporting.
• Ensure the accuracy of payroll by utilizing audit processes for check and balances.
• Serve as the project manager for the new payroll management system. Must meet implementation milestones and communicate appropriately to department heads and elected officials.
• Ability to troubleshoot payroll discrepancies for individual employees and make corrections in a timely and efficient manner; establish new processes and procedures to eliminate recurring issues.
• Ensure accuracy, timeliness, and delivery of the biweekly payroll deadlines, which include treasurer requests, county board approvals, federal/state reporting and bank approvals.
• Oversee and maintain the electronic records management of pertinent payroll records in accordance with State retention schedules and County records management policies.
• Respond to public records requests that require payroll report extracts, that follow FOIA guidelines while also protecting applicable privacy rights.
• Build complex payroll reports and graphics to share with other departments for financial reporting and audits.
• Maintain tables on the County's payroll system; establish new earnings, deductions and manage general ledger codes.
• Benefits processing for financial accuracy.

• Attend annual training and conferences to enhance payroll knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Review payroll management processes annually, to stay current with standard payroll practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's* degree in accounting, finance, business administration or a related field.
• 4 years of experience with processing payroll in payroll management systems.
• *Approved work experience beyond that required which provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered and substituted for the stated education.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Experience with implementation, data migration and/or process improvement projects.
• Ability to train employees.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for interacting with diverse individuals.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and manage time effectively.
• Proficiency in using the Microsoft Office Suite and other software related to data management, communication, and other common business processes.
• Ability to follow established policies and procedures for confidentiality while adapting to evolving privacy standards and technologies.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships within a team.
• Experience with automated financial and payroll systems and their application to public accounting.
• Experience ensuring compliance with government regulations regarding payroll taxes.
• Experience implementing policies and agreements related to payroll including labor contracts, insurance plans, pension plans, various other deductions and earnings, and established policies as they relate to payroll and benefits.
• Experience using auditing techniques and concepts.
• Ability to organize and analyze varied financial and statistical detail with speed and accuracy.
• Ability to organize and maintain a variety of payroll records and reports.
• Ability to make professional and administrative decisions within the framework of County Personnel Rules, policies, and labor contracts.
• Ability to work under pressure and/or with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to problem solve.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

The work environment is typically a professional office setting, involving regular use of computers, standard office equipment, and frequent interaction with both internal staff and the public in a structured, task-oriented atmosphere. Occasional field visits to County facilities and work sites will be required. Must occasionally lift, maneuver, and/or move up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks.