Monroe County Community College Hiring for PAYROLL ACCOUNTANT at Monroe, MI, MI Full Time

Position Summary

The Payroll Accountant is responsible for the accurate processing and timely delivery of the bi-weekly payrolls. The Payroll Accountant uses an understanding of the College’s in-house payroll system to accurately pay employees in compliance with bargaining agreements and all federal and state laws and regulations, such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) rules and regulations. The Payroll Accountant assures proper tax treatment, accounting, and disposition of withholdings such as taxes, deductions for benefits, charitable contributions, retirement contributions, other savings, etc. The Payroll Accountant prepares and creates all reports related to the payroll function.

Essential Job Functions

Ensures proper payment of wages and salaries by processing and reconciling the bi-weekly payroll, including performing computations and any balancing necessary for each payroll to correctly process salaries and reported hours worked, correctly utilize paid leave and holiday pay, correctly accrue compensatory time, and correctly compute overtime, process Federal and State withholdings, 403(b) payments, and other deduction check requests and reports as necessary. Processes checks and/or EFT payments for payroll.

Facilitates employee participation in various voluntary payroll deduction options by processing voluntary deduction forms, which includes verifying employee eligibility and checking the accuracy of completed forms, and by ensuring the authorized deductions are made from employee paychecks and disbursed to the proper agencies and/or companies designated by the employee.

Reviews Position Information Forms to verify correct data entry. Enters and updates employee information in Ellucian Colleague system.

Assures the correct tax processing of employee fringe benefits and application of appropriate withholding and reporting procedures.

Coordinates with Human Resources for proper benefit and deduction set-up, verifies and processes unused vacation and sick leave payouts, and terminates all payroll deductions for retiring and terminating employees.

Calculates adjustments for back pay, adjusts deferred pay for faculty beginning or leaving during the academic year and calculates pro-rated pay for Per Course or Adjunct Faculty that terminate or begin work mid-semester, and processes all labor redistributions for assigned payrolls.

Prepares required and assigned reports by compiling, researching, and analyzing data and performing monthly and annual reconciliations. Prepares all monthly and quarterly payroll related reports, including retirement, quarterly Federal Tax returns, unemployment, and the Michigan, Ohio and Toledo tax reports. Prepare the monthly State Sales Tax reports for the College.

Prepares and submits all Michigan Public School Employee Retirement System (MPSERS) reports for each pay. Edits and balances with the Office of Retirement Services as necessary. Responsible for the annual ORS GASB 68 & 75 Audit.

Updates the Retirement Rates in Colleague on an annual basis. Audits payroll master list on a regular basis.

Generates and maintains records of payrolls showing each payee, hours worked for nonexempt employees, wages paid, associated withholdings for retirement, benefits, and other contributions, and taxes withheld, maintains payroll records and accounts, and prepares journal entries related to payroll in a timely manner.

• salary rates and adjustments as necessary
• all employee files, including attendance, deduction allowances, and other items concerning payroll
• employee vacation and sick time balances; prepare annual report of vacation balances as of 6/30
• payroll history records, including retirement, W-2, and other related data
• adjunct faculty and extra contractual contracts
• calendar and fiscal spreadsheets for bi-weekly pay items.

Provide excellent customer service to all employees with regard to payroll and retirement related questions. Responsible for written and verbal communication with departments, divisions, employees, and regulatory agencies.

Prepare and balance annual W-2 forms.

Keep abreast of federal and state laws regarding payroll-related duties and attend meetings and workshops to stay up-to-date on payroll, retirement rules and regulations.

Assist the Director of Financial Services with the annual audit work papers and accrual entries at fiscal year-end and reconcile wage reports in the general ledger to the payroll reports. Information to include, but not limited to, salaries payable, FICA payable, retirement payable, MPSERS report, schedule of vested vacation and sick pay at 6/30.

Assist the Director of Financial Services with the annual worker’s compensation audit; wage and benefit schedules for budgeting purposes; employee health care premiums.

Supervise and assign duties to Student Assistants in the department, as assigned.

Ensures efficient workflows and optimum business operations by creating a procedures manual of work processes.

Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development seminars, and attending training and/or courses as directed.

Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.

Contributes to the overall success of the Business Office by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned, acting as a back-up for other positions as needed, maintaining high levels of accuracy, maintaining a professional demeanor and appropriate levels of confidentiality, and providing excellent customer service.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or an Associate’s degree with five (5) years’ experience in accounting.

Three (3) or more years of experience in payroll, accounting, or bookkeeping where Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), methods, practices, and terminology are used and payroll/accounting at the proficiency level is required.

Payroll experience is preferred.

Experience with the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS) and Ellucian Colleague payroll and accounting systems preferred.

Supplemental Information

KNOWLEDGE:

Knowledge of MCCC’s vision, mission, and values and a commitment to further its educational goals and strategic plans.

Knowledge of accounting, financial, spreadsheet, and database computer software programs.

Knowledge and proficiency of office technology skills including Microsoft products, virtual platforms, and room A/V systems, and a willingness to learn and master new technologies as needed.

Knowledge of grammar, punctuation, spelling and the correct usage of the English language.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of bookkeeping and general accounting.

SKILLS:

Skill in the application of account keeping procedures to a variety of financial records.

Skill in the preparation of financial or other reports, and the maintenance of records.

Skill in maintaining and updating records and related systems by displaying strong attention to detail, dedication to customer service, and a team approach to work.

Skill and proficiency in the use of office equipment and technology, computers and related software, such as word processing and spreadsheets, and the ability to master new technologies.

Skill in diplomacy, tact and emotional intelligence required to develop positive relations.

Skill in responding to public inquiries and internal requests with a high degree of professionalism.

Skill in developing, implementing, and maintaining procedures to enhance efficiency in department operations and coordinate activities across departments.

Skill in maintaining and updating records and related systems, assembling and analyzing financial data, and preparing comprehensive and accurate budgetary reports.

ABILITIES:

Ability to present accounting data in a clear and understandable manner to both technical and non-technical users.

Ability to type, enter data, and perform mathematical computations with speed and accuracy.

Ability to acquire knowledge of the principles and practices of a community college and skill in providing administrative support to such activities.

Ability to work flexibly and independently, set priorities, work simultaneously on numerous tasks, use good judgement and initiative, and meet/exceed deadlines.

Ability to work with minimal direction and comfortable with making decisions. Ability to understand instructions and follow detailed procedures consistently.

Ability to work professionally with the public and serve as a representative of the College with discretion.

Ability to effectively and professionally communicate and present ideas and concepts orally and in writing.

Ability to establish effective working relationships and use good judgment, initiative, and resourcefulness when dealing with staff, students, faculty, the public, and other professional contacts.

Demonstrate administrative and organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize multiple tasks, work in a fast-paced environment with numerous interruptions, and meet deadlines.

Ability to critically assess situations, maintain attention to detail, solve problems, work efficiently under stress, within deadlines, and changing work priorities.

Ability to set up and maintain complex and confidential files, databases, records and schedules.

Ability to establish credibility with broad and diverse constituencies within the college based upon integrity, critical thinking, outstanding operational performance, a customer service orientation and excellent interpersonal relations.

Ability to critically assess situations, maintain attention to detail, solve problems, work efficiently under stress, within deadlines, and changing work priorities

Ability to identify and secure confidential information.

Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

In order to properly perform the essential functions of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand or walk and stoop or kneel. Frequently, the employee is required to sit and/or stand. It is crucial to the outcome of job tasks that the employee is able to talk and hear; view and produce written and electronic documents; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Employee must communicate with others in person and on the telephone. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move items of light to medium weight.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in a business office or retail setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.