Job Title: Payroll Specialist Department: Finance Hiring Range: $25.02 - $29.22 Compensation Grade: 2007 Compensation Pay Range: $25.02 - $35.03 Posted Internally and Externally Job Posting End Date: April 14, 2024 Buncombe County Finance Dept is hiring a Payroll Specialist. This position works with the payroll team and dept timekeepers to complete bi-weekly payrolls for all Buncombe County Gov’t employees. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in payroll processing and have knowledge of Federal and State payroll regulations and laws. If you are interested in this position, we encourage you to apply. We want you to join our team that provides Buncombe County employees with accurate and timely payrolls. Purpose of the position: The purpose of this position is to be responsible for performing administrative and technical accounting work to ensure an accurate, efficient, and effective payroll function for Buncombe County. Minimum Education, Training, and/or Experience (required at time of hire): Associate degree in Accounting or related field, and four (4) years of related accounting/payroll experience; or High school or GED, and five (5) years of related accounting experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Additional Training and Experience: Applicants with experience in Public Sector Accounting and/or Orbit Retirement filing preferred. Duties, Responsibilities, and Other Functions: Review and prepare journal entries and reconcile general ledger accounts as needed to ensure accuracy. Provide employees with instruction and direction to ensure the accurate and timely processing of assigned duties and responsibilities. Assist employees with addressing and resolving Payroll issues. Direct and train employees as needed in the accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll functions of the department. Review the preparation of County payroll for automated processing. Identify process improvement initiatives and define standards for new processes. Deliver excellent customer service to County employees regarding any payroll-related inquiries. Perform other related duties as assigned. Essential Functions of the Position: Coordinate the payroll activities for Buncombe County and partnering entities. Maintain clear, accurate and complete logs, files and records and provide reports to management staff as requested; Prepare and reconcile all federal and state income taxes and reports; Understand and maintain the County’s pension reporting and ensure timely and accurate filing. Assist in interpreting and following best practices of state and federal guidelines as they relate to the payroll function and preparing and analyzing fiscal reports for both internal and external purposes. Work closely with assigned timekeepers in each department to ensure they are properly trained, understand the expectations of their role, and know how to use the tools available to them in carrying out their role; Direct and train employees as needed in the accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll functions of the department. Respond to internal and external inquiries, provide information and technical assistance regarding payroll information and transactions, which includes the status of accounts, payments, issuance of checks, and available balances. Review and prepare journal entries and reconcile general ledger accounts as needed to ensure accuracy. Review the preparation of County payroll for automated processing. Identify process improvement initiatives and define standards for new processes. Deliver excellent customer service to County employees regarding any payroll-related inquiries, including, assisting employees with addressing and resolving payroll issues. Participate in the workflow of the office to meet deadlines; ensure compliance with established laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. Perform other related duties as assigned. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, and practices as applied to local government. Knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations regarding payroll practices. Knowledge of County rules and regulations regarding the budget and fiscal practices. Knowledge of the principles and practices of statistics with reference to their application to financial and operational activities. Knowledge of the current literature, trends, and developments in the fields of governmental accounting and payroll administration. Skill in organization, attention to detail, and follow through to resolve outstanding issues. Skill in strong customer service and time management. Skill in strong written and verbal communication with the ability to appropriately communicate with all levels of customers. Skill in basic analysis. Ability to design and install accounting systems. Ability to analyze and interpret fiscal and accounting records and complete financial statements from such records. Ability to prepare and submit clear, complete, and concise reports. Ability to plan, organize, and assign the work of technical and clerical staff. In order to uphold internal pay parity and equity, salaries are non-negotiable for new and current Buncombe County employees. All new employees are paid according to their years of relevant education and experience above minimum requirements for the position and employees have the opportunity to obtain pay increases via cost of living increases and promotions. Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective. It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. In addition, Buncombe County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination. Applicants for employment are invited to participate in the affirmative action program by reporting their status as a protected veteran or other minority. In extending this invitation, we advise you that: (a) workers (applicants) are under no obligation to respond but may do so in the future if they choose; (b) responses will remain confidential within the human resource department; and (c) responses will be used only for the necessary information to include in our affirmative action program. We are a company that values diversity. We actively encourage women, minorities, veterans and disabled employees to apply. Refusal to provide this information will have no bearing on your application and will not subject you to any adverse treatment. Employees in positions that are approved for remote work must reside within a 2-hour drive from the position's assigned Buncombe County facility. Select a job and click the blue Apply button to complete your application. Please attach a resume and cover letter if possible. Then, submit your application by the Job Posting End Date to be considered. Our hiring managers begin reviewing applications after the Job Posting End Date and will contact applicants soon after. Thank you for your patience as we give each application the time and attention that it deserves. We are committed to building an inclusive workforce that is representative of our diverse community. If you have equivalent experience and/or education we encourage you to apply.