Payroll Specialist

An employee in this class performs a variety of clerical and processing tasks in handling a full range of payroll functions. Duties include computing and entering payroll data and issuing the payroll, maintenance, and processing of payroll deductions, and assisting departmental contacts with employee payroll issues.  Work includes applying established principles of payroll to the duties performed. Independent judgment, initiative and decision-making are required. Employee works under the supervision of the Finance Director and is evaluated through conferences, demonstrated accuracy, timeliness, and completeness of payrolls and related reports, completeness of balanced accounts, and by independent audits of financial records.

Enters payroll related information into the County payroll system on a bi-weekly schedule.

Obtains, audits, and inputs time sheets and leave records into the computer as needed for payroll; works with departmental contacts on payroll and leave data; works with supervisors and employees about payroll concerns.

Interprets and explains payroll rules, taxes, and related payroll processes.

Prepares payrolls for the County; enters changes for salary and certain payroll deductions; adds and terminates employees in the payroll system; adjusts for leave without pay and other special circumstances; applies payroll policies to ensure the correct expenditure of County funds and the correct salary payments for employees.

Checks accuracy of payroll before running checks; runs edits for payroll; rechecks/proofs changes; checks and balances deductions; calculates changes in salaries or deductions as required; prints checks.

Prepares journal entries for various payroll functions.

Works with departmental contacts on sick and vacation leave balances.

Completes payroll reports to a variety of Federal and State agencies and to fringe benefits vendors.

Generates and distributes W-2's.

Works with the auditors on payroll procedures and policy and reviews documents related to payroll actions.

Calculates special payroll programs as personnel and payroll programs and salary schedules are modified for County employees.

 Maintains confidentiality of payroll information.

 Audits payroll files as needed.

Additional Job Duties

            Serves in backup capacities to others in the Finance Department.

            Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Considerable knowledge of personnel and payroll practices and principles and their relationship to accounting and legal requirements.

Knowledge of payroll laws, rules, regulations, policies, and practices to follow in the payroll function, including FLSA, FMLA, and others that may apply.

Ability to use personal computer programs for payroll calculating, posting; proficiency with adding machines and other automated equipment and software for the processing and maintenance of payroll and accounting records.

Ability to make arithmetic computations accurately and with reasonable speed and efficiency.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department heads, departmental payroll contacts, employees, and the general public.

Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms.

 Ability to use judgment and discretion in handling payroll related issues.

 Ability to work extended schedules as needed to meet established payroll deadlines.

Graduation from a two year college with a concentration in business administration or related field and experience in payroll operations, or an equivalent combination accounting education and experience. Preferred experience would include work in a governmental payroll environment with a full range of independent functions in processing and interpreting payroll related information.

Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license upon hire.

Salary : $49,845 - $52,337