Payroll Specialist

An Official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Job Description Payroll Specialist - (260004VE) Description IN ORDER FOR YOUR CANDIDACY TO BE CONSIDERED ALL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY BY FOLLOWING THE APPLICATION PROCESS INSTRUCTIONS LISTED IN THE JOB DESCRIPTION. ALL JOB DESCRIPTIONS CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER’S JOB OPPORTUNITIES PAGE LINKED BELOW. IF YOU APPLY THROUGH THE APPLY ONLINE LINK ON THIS MASSCAREERS PAGE YOU WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION. OFFICE of the COMPTROLLER (CTR) Payroll Specialist, PC III FY27 - 001 About the Office of the Comptroller The Office of the Comptroller ensures that the more than $50 billion in annual transactions authorized by the general appropriations act and supplemental appropriations are executed in accordance with all statutory requirements and recorded in compliance with accounting standards. We also oversee capital assets, federal funding inflows, and other transactions. We also own and maintain statewide payments and payroll systems, safeguarding critical financial information. We operate in support of our partners, the financial staff at more than 150 departments and agencies across the Commonwealth. As stewards of the public trust, we aspire to inspire confidence by maintaining our core principles: clarity, integrity, and accountability. The powers and obligations of the Office of the Comptroller are generally dictated by M.G.L. c. 7A. Team Responsibilities Section The Statewide Payroll Team ensures that the Commonwealth’s payroll system pays all employees on time, accurately, and efficiently. Additionally, the team works with departments across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to ensure that payroll expenditures are posted to suitable accounts, and within their budgets. The Statewide Payroll Team implements payroll policies consistently across multiple systems, ensuring proper maintenance and reliability. The team is a resource for payroll personnel across the Commonwealth to ensure agencies have the resources and knowledge to process payroll at their departments. Position Summary CTR is seeking qualified candidates for consideration to fill one, full‑time (37.5 hours/week) Payroll Specialist on the Statewide Payroll Team. Under the supervision of the Statewide Payroll Supervisor. Specific Duties Serves as Lead Specialist for garnishment and levy processing; reviews and assigns garnishment/levy work to backup or coverage staff and is accountable for the accuracy of work completed during coverage periods. Responsible for continual review and development of related procedures and protocols. Drive vendor communications and integration needs for the payroll team. Gathers, analyzes, and interprets payroll data to support operational decision‑making in conjunction with supervisors. Exercises decision making on routine system corrections and procedural enhancements within established guidelines, escalating only matters involving legal ambiguity or significant risk exposure. Independently identify and resolve data issues using queries and reports. Create queries and perform data analysis for data quality assurance; recommend changes to supervisors. Maintain and update job aids, instructions, procedures, and weekly bulletins. Receive and respond to inquiries or tickets from department HR/Payroll staff. Participate and assist in systems integration and inter‑operational functions and activities for payroll – related projects undertaken by the Office of the Comptroller and partner departments. Execute acceptance testing for changes to HR/CMS and Mosaic Financial and Labor Cost Distribution systems. Demonstrates proficiency in the use of desktop tools, programs, applications, and systems to meet Payroll Team processing and accounting goals and objectives. These include but are not limited to: HRCMS, Mosaic, Word, Access, Excel, CIW, PowerPoint, etc. Participate in and occasionally leads meetings with other agencies’ technical staff to provide technical assistance involving their business and informational needs and requirements for payroll processing and assist them in finding applications to meet these requirements. Independently resolves and finalizes standard processing issues and data discrepancies within established procedures; escalates only matters involving legal ambiguity, high‑risk or high‑dollar exposure, or situations outside established protocol. Responsible for day‑to‑day operational needs. Remain current with CTR policies and procedures, read CTR memos, updates, attend annual internal control, risk, and fraud prevention trainings. Understand and apply pertinent state/federal laws, rules, and regulations. Interact cooperatively and professionally with colleagues at the Comptroller’s Office and other state departments and agencies. Work with other team members in a dynamic work environment. Actively assist CTR Team Leadership with cross training, knowledge transfer, disaster recovery, risk assessment and internal control review. All employees of CTR may be asked to engage in other administrative or fiscal process assignments on an as‑needed basis. Bargaining Unit / Salary Range NAGE UNIT 6 / GRADE 14: $80,411.50 - $117,590.46 As per the Unit 6 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the National Association of Government Employees. The range is based upon a series of steps. Any potential offer is determined based upon an analysis of the minimum entrance requirements, the candidate’s relevant work experience and educational achievement level. Benefits When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future. CTR is pleased to offer a comprehensive benefits package to its employees. The specific components and eligibility may vary based on position classification, hours worked per week and other variables. Therefore, specific benefits for this position may be discussed as part of the interview and offer process. The overall benefits available include paid vacation, sick and personal leave time, health, dental and vision insurance, and optional pre‑tax Health Savings Account plans. In addition, CTR provides employees the opportunity to elect life insurance, long term disability insurance, deferred compensation savings, tuition remission, pre‑tax commuter account plans, along with other programs. This position may be eligible for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program administered by the Federal Government. Hybrid Work Model CTR operates under a Hybrid work model. Under this policy, employees are currently required to work a minimum of four business days per month (two set by management and two set by the employee) on‑site at CTR’s Boston office and may work remotely the remainder of the time at a location approved by their supervisor, so long as they comply with the requirements of the telework policy. Under this policy, all employees must be able to report to the Boston office with little or no notice, even including the same workday should an exigent circumstance arise. Therefore, a reasonable proximity to the office is necessary. CTR does not reimburse for employees to travel to the office. On‑site work is an essential function of this position. In addition, the successful candidate may be required to work primarily on site in Boston during the initial training and orientation period and/or for certain positions a primarily on‑site role may be necessary. Commitment to Diversity CTR is committed to building a diverse staff at all levels across its entire agency. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. CTR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Application Process The Office of the Comptroller encourages interested candidates that meet the minimum entrance requirements and qualifications to apply for this position. Submissions should include the following: Cover letter; For candidates chosen to advance to a second‑round interview, three business writing samples; Three professional references. Late submissions may be considered solely at the discretion of CTR. Background Check – Including Tax Compliance CTR requires a background check on all prospective employees as a condition of employment. Candidates should know that the background check is not initiated until: A candidate is invited to a second or subsequent interview, and The candidate has signed the Background Check Authorization Form and related releases. This background check includes a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, commonwealth Department of Revenue state tax compliance. Candidates with advanced degrees and professional licenses may have these credentials verified. Key Capabilities and Attributes Proactive and self‑motivated, able to take ownership of tasks and work independently while contributing to the Team’s objectives. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex HRIS and payroll processes for different audiences. Superior time management. Ability to contribute and work productively as part of a team and independently. Positive attitude. Flexibility to learn new standards and guidelines. Ability to work well under pressure. Strong understanding of payroll accounting principles and reconciliation practices. Ability to analyze financial and account data and identify discrepancies. Proficiency in Excel. Preferred Qualifications Bachelor’s degree or higher in business management or business administration with a concentration in accounting, or relevant experience. Advanced Microsoft Excel user: demonstrated ability to create spreadsheets that incorporate advanced Excel features and formulas. Working knowledge of the Commonwealth’s HR/Payroll system (HRCMS). Working knowledge of the Commonwealth’s Finance/labor cost distribution system (Mosaic/LCD). Working knowledge of the Commonwealth Information Warehouse (CIW) or other warehouse solution. Minimum Entrance Requirements Applicants must have at least (A) four years of full‑time, or equivalent part‑time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management or public administration the major duties of which involved program management, program administration, program coordination, program planning and/or program analysis, and (B) of which at least one year must have been in a supervisory capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below. I. A Bachelor’s degree with a major in business administration, business management, or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience.* II. A Graduate degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of three of the required (A) experience.* III. A Bachelor’s or higher degree with a major other than in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.* *Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed. Job Human Resources Agency Office of the Comptroller Schedule Full‑time Shift Day Job Posting Jul 13, 2026, 4:02:18 PM Number of Openings 1 Salary $80,411.50 - $117,590.46 Yearly If you have Diversity, Affir… (Incomplete sentence trimmed for brevity) Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule: Yes #J-18808-Ljbffr