Payroll Specialist

Under general supervision, assists in processing and reconciling County-wide payroll within established deadlines; assists in creating and maintaining payroll records and reports for accounting of salaries and wages due, accruals, deductions, and other payroll functions; resolves adjustments to gross pay, withholdings, deductions, and other payroll functions; adheres to payroll policies and procedures, FLSA, and state laws; and serves as a resource for payroll related questions and issues.

A job description is intended to present a general list of tasks/duties performed by employees within this job. Job descriptions are not intended to list all duties performed within the job. 

• Associates Degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or related field and three (3) years of payroll processing, preferably in a public sector environment; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• Assists with processing of bi-weekly payroll according to established deadlines; calculates timesheets; enters compensatory time; runs reports and compares entries ensuring time and deductions are correct as assigned; initiates corrections; processes direct deposits and hard checks; down loads direct deposit and transmits payroll record to financial institutions; assists in updating payroll records by reviewing and approving changes to exemptions, insurance coverage, miscellaneous deductions, job titles, and department/division transfers. 
• Serves as first point of contact for day-to-day payroll related questions and issues; complex matters will be referred to Payroll Accountant. 
• Assists in calculating and processing final payout checks for employees retiring or terminating.
• Maintains files for employee direct deposit requests, garnishments, and child support orders including employee notification. 
• Assists in the preparation of payroll vendor checks; verifies and mails out payroll deduction vendor checks. 
• Verifies and calls in federal, FICA and Medicare amount by deadline as assigned; makes any necessary adjustments.
• Assists in reconciliation, reporting, and processing of audit deliverables for payroll; submits bi-weekly deductions to Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA), NMRHCA and ICMA. 
• Compiles and submits required reports as assigned; reconciles and reports State of New Mexico payroll withholdings monthly; compiles employment statistics report and communicates the information to Workforce Solutions per requirements; reconciles 941 to general ledger and reports to IRS; maintains compensated leave schedule.
• Assists in researching and compiling payroll records requested by department heads, employees, and or other entities; processes any corrections or errors in payroll due to missing information such as salary increases, shift differentials, and miss coding to resolve any discrepancies as assigned.
• Maintains annual W2/W4 process including setup, reporting and distribution. 
• Complies with federal, state and local legal requirements; researches existing and new legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; provides advice on needed actions; and maintains guidelines by writing and updating policies and procedures.

• Works with audit firms during annual audit and prepares required reports and miscellaneous data as needed.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending and participating in professional workshops, training and reviewing professional publications. 

Salary : $53,019 - $63,606