Accountant I / Payroll Specialist

About Westfield State University

In 1839, Westfield State University was founded on the ideals of Horace Mann who sought to improve society through education. We were the first public education institution without barrier to race, gender or economic class. The spirit of innovative thinking and social responsibility is forged in a curriculum of liberal arts and professional studies contributing to the development of knowledge, skills, and character essential for students to become responsible leaders and engaged citizens.

Westfield State is a highly residential campus with approximately 55% of our 3,100 full-time undergraduate students living on campus. The campus is ideally situated on the edge of the Berkshire Mountains in western Massachusetts just 30 minutes from the thriving cultural centers of Springfield, Northampton, and Amherst with a selection of museums, theater, collegiate and minor league sports, hiking trails, and restaurants. The University is within 1.5 hours of Boston and Albany and within 3 hours of New York City and the Green Mountain range of Vermont.

Thank You for Your Interest in Becoming a Westfield State Community Member

You are welcome here. You can advance your career and make a difference here. We invite you to bring your whole self and talents to Westfield State University. The University seeks applicants whose record of teaching, student advising, research, and administration positions them to contribute to the everyday practice of our institutional values.

Our Values

Westfield State commits to values that strengthen a common bond among all members of our community and promotes a rich campus environment.

• Embrace Diversity - We treat all members of our community with dignity and respect.
• Maintain Excellence and Integrity - We maintain excellence and integrity in all that we do.
• Collaborate with Each Other - We make decisions in a transparent and collaborative manner.
• Provide Accessible Education - We commit to providing an accessible, affordable public higher education for all.
• Build a Strong Community - We are inclusive and ensure equity, supporting the personal development of all community members, and embracing multiple perspectives.
• Engage the Outside Community - We support civic engagement in local, regional, and global initiatives.
  
  

Job Description

Campus Title: Payroll Specialist

State Job Title: Accountant I

Department: Financial Accounting

Job Code: H15X12

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Funding: 7115-0100

Bargaining Unit: AFSCME

Job Type: Full-Time Permanent

Timeframe: 52 Weeks

Shift: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Regular Days Off: Saturday and Sunday

Supervision Received: Reports to the Staff Associate, Payroll Manager

Supervision Exercised: May supervise a part-time student worker

Salary: $1,969.30 Bi-Weekly

General Statement Of Duties

Assists in the processing and maintenance of Human Resources / Compensation Management System (HR/CMS) Payroll. Provides support services to the Staff Associate, Payroll Manager.

Duties And Responsibilities

Duties include but not limited to:

Essential

• Maintains HR/CMS Workforce Administration for all employees. Includes verification and data entry of temporary employment contracts and other various job actions.
• Verifies receipt of weekly attendance records, reviews for accuracy and completeness, and updates HR/CMS.
• Reviews the work of other Accountant I staff members in the Payroll office.
• Provides customer service to University employees and other constituents, additionally with regard to Self-Service Time and Attendance.
• Responds to internal and external requests for employment/salary verifications.
• Uses Microsoft Access and Excel to produce reports from data contained in the Commonwealth Information Warehouse (CIW).
• Maintains employee direct deposit and tax withholding records.
• Conducts audits of timesheets on an as needed basis for compliance with various regulations.
• Maintains external logs for paper timesheets received as well as other areas with specialized tracking needs.
• Filing, archiving, and maintenance of payroll records.
• Cross trained to provide backup support for other payroll staff during high volume periods or absences to ensure continued operations and minimal disruption to customers.
• Assists Human Resources staff as necessary to complete departmental goals and objectives as they relate to payroll.
• Implements action plans developed in support of strategic plan initiatives.
  
  

Requirements

Qualifications Required at Hire:

• Ability to understand, explain and apply the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, etc. governing assigned unit activities.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations using formulae to solve accounting problems.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral expression.
• Ability to give written and oral instructions in a precise, understandable manner.
• Ability to deal tactfully with others.
• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to work in a team setting.
  
  

Salary

Additional Information:

Salaries for current Westfield State University employees and individuals currently working for the state of Massachusetts must be calculated individually in accordance with collective bargaining agreements as well as state policies. State job specifications may be found on the Department of Higher Education's webpage.

Employee Benefits

Benefits are an important component of an employee's total compensation package.

• Health Insurance: Westfield State offers a variety of HMO, POS, and PPO-type health insurance plans for eligible employees with coverage effective on the 1st of the month following the 60 days of employment.
• Retirement: the MA State Employee Retirement System provides eligible employees with a retirement pension following a 10-year vesting period. In lieu of the retirement pension, eligible employees may select the Optional Retirement Plan with a maximum 5% employer matching contribution.
• Tuition Waivers & Discounts: eligible employees, including spouses and dependent children, receive reduced tuition at MA state colleges, community colleges, and universities.
• Paid Time Off: employees receive 11 paid holidays and generous vacation, personal, and sick leave benefits.
• Additional information regarding employee benefits is available on the University's Benefits & Wellness webpage.
  
  

Disability Accommodations

Westfield State University is committed to the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities and will ensure the availability of reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at (413) 572-8809 or visit us in the Horace Mann Building, 1st floor.

Background Check

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion and review of a background check. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration.

Application Instructions

An online application is required. A resume and cover letter may be attached but this is not required.

Deadline: Review of applications will begin February 19, 2024. The job posting will be open a minimum of ten days and, if needed, will remain open until finalist have been selected.

NOTE: If you need assistance completing your application please contact our online Help Desk. The link to the help desk can be found at the top of the page via Contact Us.

To apply, visit https://westfield.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=172611&CNTRNO=13&TSTMP=0

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