Payroll Bookkeeper

Position Details
Location: Administration Building
Reports To: Director of Finance and Operations
Schedule: 12-month position, 8 hours per day
Bargaining Unit: Ellington Educational Support Staff, Classification A: Bookkeeper
Salary Range: $30.54/hr. per the collective bargaining agreement
Benefits: Fringe benefits as provided under the collective bargaining agreement
Start Date: November 2026

About the Position
Ellington Public Schools is seeking a detail-oriented Payroll Bookkeeper to manage bi-weekly payroll for about 550 district employees. This role is central to our operations. It ensures staff are paid accurately and on time, keeps the district compliant with federal and state reporting requirements, and supports employees with payroll questions. The ideal candidate is organized, discreet, and works well under firm deadlines.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Payroll Processing

• Process and balance bi-weekly payroll for approximately 550 employees in line with the fiscal payroll calendar and ACH deadlines.
• Review electronic timecards from Frontline and create and import hours-worked files into the School ERP Pro timecard entry system each pay period.
• Verify paper timecards, including teacher curriculum hours, student activity requests, tutoring timesheets, and other supplemental pay, and manually enter data as needed.
• Prepare and transmit the ACH file to the bank and process payroll check runs each pay period.

Systems Administration

• Administer and maintain the School ERP Pro Payroll system, including salary and hourly rate schedules, work calendars, federal and state tax tables, and Group Term Life (GTL) tables.

Leave, Adjustments, and Approvals

• Calculate salary adjustments for employees on FMLA and unpaid leave.
• Prepare Teachers' Retirement Board (TRB) adjustment calculations and salary calculations for annualized employees.
• Monitor probationary periods for applicable hourly employees and make needed adjustments.
• Serve as final approver in the electronic Personnel Action Request (ePAR) process, verifying documentation is complete and employee deductions are accurate.
• Process CIRMA salary inquiries and calculate related payment adjustments.

Reporting and Compliance
Prepare, verify, and maintain the following reports and payments:

• Social Security Replacement Plan (SSRP) reporting and payments (bi-weekly)
• Wage garnishments (bi-weekly)
• Union reports and payments (bi-weekly and monthly)
• Reports to the Town Finance Officer (bi-weekly)
• Teachers' Retirement Board reporting (monthly)
• Federal Form 941 and CT-941 (quarterly)
• CT Paid Leave reports and contributions (quarterly)
• CT Department of Labor wage reporting (quarterly)
• Federal and Connecticut W-2 reporting (annual)

Coordinate with the district's third-party administrator to manage 403(b) and 457(b) payroll deductions and ensure IRS compliance.

Employee Support

• Process employee changes to tax withholding, deductions, and other payroll information.
• Respond promptly to employee payroll questions and resolve issues.
• Complete employment and income verification requests from banks, mortgage companies, and other authorized organizations.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of employee compensation, tax, benefits, retirement, and personal information.

Other Duties

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Professional Expectations

• Work in a professional, courteous, and efficient manner that builds confidence among staff, students, and the community and supports the district's educational mission.
• Comply with applicable statutes, district guidelines, administrative procedures, and professional standards.
• Build positive, collaborative relationships with staff, families, students, and community members.
• Show strong organization and attention to detail while managing tight timelines and unexpected demands.
• Safeguard confidential information about staff, students, and families.
• Keep professional skills current as the position's needs evolve.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or business administration preferred. An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered at the Board's discretion.
• At least two (2) years of successful office experience focused primarily on accounting and bookkeeping.
• Knowledge of bookkeeping practices, record maintenance, payroll processing, accounts payable, and standard accounting terminology.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and fund accounting financial and payroll software.

How to Apply

Please apply online through Frontline, include a resume, three letters of reference and a cover letter address to Mr. Charles Carey, Director of Finance and Operation, 47 Main Street, PO Box 179, Ellington, CT 06029

The Ellington Public School System grants Equal Employment Opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religious creed, ancestry, marital status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national/ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, or disability including, but not limited to, intellectual disability; past or present history of mental disorder, past or present history of physical disability, past or present history of learning disability in its programs, activities, and employment practices as set forth in compliance with the Office of Civil Rights, Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Any person having inquiries concerning the Ellington Public Schools' compliance with Title VI, Title IX and Section 504, should contact Dr. Kristy LaPorte, Director of Special Services for the Ellington Public Schools, P. O. Box 179, 47 Main Street, Ellington, CT 06029 or (860) 896-2300.