Payroll Specialist - Grand Junction, United States - Colorado Mesa University

Description

The Payroll Specialist reports to the Payroll Manager and is responsible for supporting the university's semi-monthly payroll for all administrative, faculty, and student employees.

Colorado Mesa University use Ellucian Banner ERP to process payrolls.

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for assisting student employees, student supervisors and others conducting business with the university regarding processing payroll and related documents and for providing the daily payroll operation support.

Position responsibilities also include conducting special projects designed to improve payroll processing to achieve more effective and efficient operations.

This position must maintain confidential employee records including benefit enrollment forms, W4 and I-9 forms, retirement selection forms and direct deposit forms.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other related duties may be assigned. Payroll Processing Duties

• Assist in processing the semi-monthly payrolls
• Monitor payroll processing activity for reasonableness and exceptions, and research the issues and correct any misinformation
• Provide backup support to the Payroll Manager as needed
• Prepare and reconcile vendor reports and remit payments to the University's benefit providers
• Redistribute payroll expenses in coordination with Office of Financial Aid for student employees receiving work study funds; and in coordination with the Office Sponsored Programs for employees paid with grant funds
• Coordinate with Human Resources to make sure employee benefit elections and other on-boarding information are entered into Banner accurately
• Work closely with the other Payroll members to ensure accurate and timely completion of payroll functions Student Employment Responsibilities
• Primary contact for student employees and supervisors who have questions and concerns
• Coordinate with the Office of Financial Aid Work-Study Coordinator on student work-study awards updates to ensure jobs are set up correctly in Banner
• Process student employment on-boarding documents (W4 and I-9) and enter information into Banner
• Update and maintain the Student Employee Handbook and the Payroll Webpage
• Provides support to Student Employment Team, including Financial Aid and Career Services, to onboard students with or without work-study funding
• Process all third-party student employment verification requests
• Audit late time sheets along with any timesheet adjustments. Determines when exceptions to the late timesheet pay schedule can be processed depending on circumstances.
• Audit student sick pay accruals after each payroll
• Schedule and organize Student Employment Team meetings Communications and Training Duties
• Correspond with the Student Employment Team to ensure accurate and timely completion of student job setup functions
• Consult with and advise students and staff when questions arise
• Create personalized communications to inform supervisors about important payroll cycle deadlines Special Projects and Research Duties
• Conduct research necessary to remain current on payroll laws and regulations in order to ensure continued compliance with all state and federal payroll regulations, including the proper processing of tax and other withholdings, including benefit and voluntary deductions elected by employees
• Research also includes but is not limited to multi-state taxation requirements and ACA average hour tracking for student employees
• Create and maintain payroll ad hoc reports as directed by the Payroll Manager
• Develop and conduct training for supervisors and student employees
• Coordinate special projects that are related to payroll processing efficiency and effectiveness
• Collaborate with the Payroll Manager to develop and revise payroll department policies and procedures
• Write and update procedural manuals and process flow steps
• Participates in long term and short-term payroll goals/needs decisions

Minimum Qualifications Required:

• An earned Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Or earned an Associate's Degree related to Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field and 4 years of complex full cycle payroll processing experience

Experience may include:
multiple employee assignment types, complex deduction types, multi-state processing, or 500+ employee payroll processing.

• Must have demonstrated experience in the area of payroll processing, accounting processes, other professional accounting or human resources experience, or Certified Payroll Professional certification.
• Database experience, along with experience using Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and other software products.
• Demonstrated experience and attention to detail when preparing and verifying payroll input data, and reconciling benefit and tax withholdings to source documentation

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ellucian Banner student and human resources data system experience
• Previous higher education accounting or financial services experience
• Previous higher education payroll processing experience is highly desirable Salary: $44, - 49, Commensurate with education and experience.

Excellent health and retirement benefits package:
Department: Colorado Mesa University

Employment Type:
Administrative