Payroll Specialist II

Job Description

Posting Expires 9/23/25

Salary Range: $51,035.56- $68,132.47

General Description and Classification Standards:

The Payroll Specialist, Senior is a key member of the City of Atlanta’s Shared Services payroll team, responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll for more than 9,000 employees in a fully in-house environment. This position ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as City policies, while delivering high-quality customer service to employees and departments. The role requires strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills with the ability to manage complex payroll processes in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all inclusive.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned departments regarding employee payroll inquiries.
• Provide exceptional customer service support, addressing employee questions on payroll, deductions, and related matters.
• Accurately process bi-weekly payroll transactions, ensuring deadlines are met and reports are produced on time.
• Verify payroll data accuracy by partnering with Human Resources (central and departmental) to minimize miscalculations.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies, voluntary and involuntary deductions, and other payroll-related issues.
• Adhere to internal control processes for payroll transactions, ensuring compliance with GAAP, audit standards, and internal policies.
• Maintain accurate payroll records, file payroll documentation, and oversee off-site storage of prior-year files.
• Assist in preparing balance sheet reconciliations and propose journal entries to clear reconciling items.
• Develop and recommend process improvements leveraging technology to improve efficiency and strengthen internal controls.
• Support communication efforts, including presentations to management and internal clients.
• Safeguard confidential payroll information and ensure proper retention of both electronic and paper records.
• Escalate complex issues to the Payroll Supervisor or other appropriate resources as necessary.
• Promote teamwork and collaboration within the payroll team and across departments.
  
  

The above statements reflect the general duties, responsibilities and competencies considered necessary to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job and should not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. COA may change the specific job duties with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

This is a partial listing of necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully, it is not an exhaustive list.

• Working knowledge of payroll principles, practices, and compliance requirements.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state payroll regulations and tax codes.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; strong overall Microsoft Office Suite skills.
• Proficiency with ERP payroll systems (Oracle Cloud preferred) and workforce management systems (Kronos or equivalent).
• Strong mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management abilities with a focus on meeting deadlines.
• Ability to research, interpret, and apply payroll-related data and regulations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with excellent customer service orientation.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively in a team environment.
• Flexibility to adapt to shifting priorities in a dynamic environment.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field OR an equivalent combination of education, skills, experience, and training.
• At least four (4) years of progressive payroll experience in a web-based or ERP environment.
• Experience working with Kronos or another workforce management system.
• Experience using Oracle Cloud or a similar ERP payroll system.
• Demonstrated experience with internal audit requirements and compliance.
• Knowledge of premium pay, shift differentials, shared leave, advanced sick leave, and public safety payroll calculations.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, or Business Administration.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation or similar certification.
• Experience supporting payroll in a large, unionized, or public sector environment.
• Strong background in preparing reconciliations and journal entries related to payroll accounting
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, formulas, and reporting).
  
  

Responsibilities

Essential Duties & Responsibilities These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. May perform other duties as assigned.

• Processes one or more of the following: new hires, terminations, status changes, tax changes, deductions, direct deposits, time sheet data, rate changes, retroactive adjustments, special pays.
• Maintains paid time off, leaves of absence and workers' compensation records
• Compiles reports on base and premium pay
• Posts entries to journals and ledgers and prepares tax deposits and reports
• Generates and distributes checks
• Researches and produces special reports
• Assists compensation staff in data gathering for compensation survey inputs
• Works on assignments requiring judgment and initiative.
• Understands the implications of work and makes recommendations for solutions.
• Handles escalated issues from lower level staff
  
  

Decision Making

Selects from multiple procedures and methods to accomplish tasks

Leadership Provided

Routinely provides work group leadership, guidance, and/or training to less experienced staff

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities This is a partial listing of necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully. It is not an exhaustive list.

• Good knowledge of payroll policies, processes, procedures
• Strong skills in using Microsoft Office, payroll software, databases in processing payroll for the City.
• Ability to work on a wide range of tasks
• Completes tasks in creative and effective ways Ability to process numbers quickly and accurately.
• Ability to handle escalated issues from lower level employees.
  
  

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience High school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED).

Minimum of 3 years' of work payroll experience in the assigned role

Preferred Education & Experience

Completion of Technical or Vocational course of study or an associates degree in the accounting area with 3 years' of payroll experience

Licensures and Certifications

None required

Essential Capabilities And Work Environment

Required physical, lifting, and sensory capabilities are requirements to perform the job successfully. Typical environmental conditions associated with job.

It is the policy of the City of Atlanta (“COA”) that qualified individuals with disabilities are not discriminated against because of their disabilities regarding job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of the COA to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. The COA is prepared to modify or adjust the job application process or the job or work environment to make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of the applicant or employee to enable the applicant or employee to be considered for the position he or she desires, to perform the essential functions of the position in question, or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation will impose an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Human Resources Director for your department.

The City of Atlanta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, ender identity, marital status, veteran’s status or national origin, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law. We value and encourage diversity in our workforce.