Payroll Accountant

Definition:

Under the general direction and supervision of the Controller, the Payroll Accountant is responsible for performing all phases of payroll processing, reporting and related tasks to ensure timely, accurate payment of borough employees. The Payroll Accountant performs a combination of calculating, entering and verifying data to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining borough accounting records. This position requires the ability to rapidly compute accurate arithmetic computations, the ability to analyze data to precisely apply accounting, collective bargaining agreement/contract rules and Federal Internal Revenue Service Regulations. This position also requires a general knowledge of governmental fund accounting, the ability to reconcile general ledger accounts, and create journal entries.

Minimum Qualifications:

A bachelor's degree in business administration or public administration with a major in accounting – or – a finance or other business degree in combination with paid accounting experience may also be considered. Must have three years increasingly more responsible work experience in a business environment including payroll, accounting, or related work experience. Must be able to accurately and proficiently type a minimum of 40 wpm and operate a ten-key calculator by touch at a minimum of 5000 kph. Must have experience with computerized accounting systems and programs, data processing, and the ability to work well with peers and the public. Governmental accounting experience and experience processing payroll for large workforces is strongly preferred.

Examinations:

Must meet and maintain minimum typing speed and ten-key proficiency requirements as measured by skills tests selected by the Borough.

Essential Functions:

Essential Payroll Functions:

• Prepares and processes bi-weekly payroll, including retroactive pay, terminations, annual leave cash-out, and related payroll expenditure payments. Codes and processes payroll specific to negotiated contract terms, KPB policies, and legal requirements.
• Maintains and generates payroll records which include, but are not limited to, direct terminal input and review summary ledgers/accounting document controls, and making adjusting and correcting entries. When necessary, works with supervisor and data processing staff providing information and/or suggestions to improve payroll programs. Cross trains other members of the team as requested.
• Prepares, reconciles and maintains all weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reports for payroll which include in-house reports and reports to IRS, PERS, Employment Security, KBEA, and insurance carriers; compiles data from source documents.
• Reconciles and processes biweekly federal and state tax payments, child support payments, levies, garnishments and various other deductions, communicating with outside agencies and employees to resolve discrepancies.
• Reconciles accrued leave on a bi-weekly basis and makes journal entry to record the Borough's liability.
• Maintains and verifies proper usage of union business leave account.
• Disseminates information to other borough departments and service areas, governmental agencies and the public according to policy as requested.
• Creates and maintains projects in the payroll system for grant and project tracking of payroll related items.
• Prepares, scans and maintains all timesheets for electronic archiving by barcode.
• Prepares and processes journal entries as necessary to charge the appropriate project or expense account.
• Prepares and processes W-2s and other required federal or state documents.
• Prepares documents for transfer to records management and maintains records management log.

Essential Accounting Functions:

• Reconciles all capital projects individually and by fund, including related journal entries. Provides and maintains a schedule of capital projects to include description, status, budget, cost to date, remaining balance, and grant relationships, to be reported to the legislative body on a quarterly basis.
• Assists in the preparation of the Borough's annual budget including but not limited to payroll related items, preparation of detail budget schedules, working with department administrators in the development of their respective budgets, and attendance at hearings and workshops.
• Assists in the preparation of the Borough's comprehensive annual financial report to include preparation of detail account reconciliation's, account analysis schedules and attendance at hearings and workshops.
• Assists in implementing new GASB pronouncements that impact Borough operations.
• Assists in developing new financial policies and procedures.
• Reconciles general ledger accounts.

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to communicate orally, and to use hands and fingers dexterously to operate office equipment; regularly required to sit; and occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally transport up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.