Staff Accountant, LEA Payroll Services

Staff Accountant, LEA Payroll Services

Kent ISD   

Full time, 260 day year-round position   

Non-Union Hourly Classified, Grade 5 

Responsible for the accurate and timely preparation, processing, and distribution of payrolls for assigned local education agencies (LEAs). This position ensures compliance with applicable regulations, provides exceptional customer service to district partners, and supports payroll operations and reporting for Kent ISD.

Job Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree with concentration in accounting preferred.
2. Proficient at Microsoft Excel and competent in other Microsoft Suite products.
3. Familiarity with school fund accounting procedures and systems preferred.
4. Familiar with General Accepted Accounting Procedures (GAAP).
5. Must possess a positive attitude and interpersonal skills to clearly communicate and collaborate with both internal and external customers.
6. High level of organizational and problem-solving skills with the ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines, and work independently with confidentiality, trust, and accuracy.
7. Ability to analyze financial data, reconcile discrepancies, and resolve related issues.
8. Ability to take initiative and work within a team.
9. High level of professionalism and discretion.
10. Approach tasks and challenges with enthusiasm, adaptability, and a willingness to contribute to team success.
11. Predictable and reliable attendance, essential.

Duties and Responsibilities:

For Local Educational Agencies (LEAs):

1. Process the complete payroll cycle for assigned districts, ensuring timeliness and accuracy.
2. Import hours worked, employee reimbursements, and compensated absences from templates prepared by the LEA.
3. Update pay rates, salaries, and pay tables (if applicable) in Tyler Enterprise ERP (Munis) based on information provided by the LEA.
4. Process all employee changes, including deductions, address changes, and other payroll-related updates.
5. Add new employees and terminations in Tyler Enterprise ERP (Munis) based on information provided by the LEA.
6. Administer and maintain garnishments, court orders, and child support deductions in Tyler Enterprise ERP (Munis).
7. Prepare payroll liability batches for Accounts Payable processing.
8. Complete Office of Retirement Services’ (ORS) Michigan Public School Employees’ Retirement System (MPSERS) retirement reporting, including Tax-Deferred Payments (TDP), MUNIS-to-ORS reconciliation, audit reports, and Small Steps adjustments.
9. Prepare and submit final salary affidavits for retirees.
10. Maintain and submit EPARS and demographic files for 403(b) annuity reporting.
11. Update tax tables and FICA limits within the payroll system.
12. Complete quarterly 941 reports for LEAs (LEA reviews and submits).
13. Reconcile, print, and produce electronic files for W-2s.
14. Print ACA forms, when applicable, if a third-party vendor is not utilized by the LEA.
15. Prepare fiscal year-end payroll accruals and compensated absence accruals using information provided by the LEA.
16. Maintain complete electronic payroll records, deductions, and employee benefit data for each assigned district.
17. Ensure compliance with all applicable labor laws, FLSA requirements, and LEA-specific collective bargaining agreements.
18. Collaborate with LEA business and human resources offices to validate and resolve payroll discrepancies.
19. Deliver exceptional customer service to district partners, ensuring prompt and professional communication and support.
20. Participate in cross-training with other LEA payrolls to ensure consistent payroll coverage and continuity of service.

For Kent ISD:

1. Act as Kronos/UKG Administrator, add and maintain employee data, and provide training and support to timekeepers and supervisors.
2. Verify payroll data for ISD employees, including pay rate changes, new hires, terminations, and employee status adjustments.
3. Process Office of Retirement Services (ORS) uploads and bi-weekly reconciliations for Kent ISD payrolls.
4. Support year-end accounting procedures, including accruals, audit schedules, and required financial reports.
5. Assist maintaining complete electronic and paper records of employee payroll data and reports.
6. Assist other business office team members and perform related accounting duties as assigned by the Supervisor of Payroll and Benefits and Director of Fiscal Services.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Alternative requirements that may be appropriate and acceptable to the School Board may be considered. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits: Robust benefit package includes full medical, dental, and vision insurance; generous paid sick and vacation days; State of Michigan School Employment retirement program

Please note, due to the large number of applications, we are unable to attend to e-mail or telephone inquiries on application status.  

The final candidate for this position will be required (at their cost) to furnish Kent Intermediate School District with a current Michigan State Police and FBI criminal records LiveScan check prior to our recommendation to hire.

It is the policy of the Kent ISD School Board that no student, staff member or candidate for any position in the District shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, ancestry, age, gender/sex, sexual orientation, marital status, height, weight, veteran status, political belief or physical/mental disability which does not impair their ability to perform adequately in the individual's particular position or activity, excluded from participation in, denied the benefit of, or to be subjected to discrimination in any program or activity for which the Kent ISD School Board is responsible for or receives financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education. The Coordinator for Title IX, Section 504, the Age Discrimination Act and Title II is: Dave Rodgers, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources

Salary : $26 - $31