PAYROLL AND BENEFITS ACCOUNTANT

Socket.dev; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 85,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Pension plan

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Ontario College of Teachers seeks a Payroll and Benefits Accountant to manage the full-cycle payroll, pension and benefits administration, ensuring compliance and accurate reporting. You will liaise with external payroll processors and internal teams to maintain data integrity and timely processing.

The role supports a hybrid work model with in-office days, offering competitive salaries, pension, and comprehensive benefits in a modern, inclusive environment.

Qualifications

• Completion of a post-secondary diploma or degree in Business or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in managing a corporate payroll and benefits program.
• National Payroll Institute (PCP) certification.
• Proficiency in Dynamics 365, Excel, Word, Adobe for financial analysis, reporting, and documentation.
• Knowledge of ADP Workforce Now or similar software for payroll reporting.
• Analytical ability, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills.
• Organizational and time-management skills.
• Written and verbal communication skills for cross-department collaboration.
• Teamwork, adaptability, and a proactive attitude to support change.

Responsibilities

• Oversee bi-weekly payroll cycle and related tax reporting.
• Manage pension plan administration for OTPP and OMERS.
• Coordinate benefits administration and renewals.
• Prepare general ledger entries for payroll, benefits, and pension.
• Assist with year-end reconciliations and reporting.
• Collaborate with HR and Controller to ensure accurate data and reporting.
• Provide stakeholder support while maintaining confidentiality.

Skills

Payroll management

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Teamwork

Time management

Problem solving

Education

Post-secondary diploma or degree in Business or related field

Tools

Dynamics 365

Excel

Word

Adobe

ADP Workforce Now

Job description

Posting 26-48

Payroll and Benefits Accountant

Finance Unit

Office of the Registrar department

Permanent position Category 7 - Hiring Range $84,957- $96,176

New Vacancy – 1 position

The Payroll and Benefits Accountant is responsible for the College’s full-cycle payroll management, and administration of pension and benefit plans while maintaining statutory / plan provision compliance and providing accurate, timely, and customer-focused service to staff.

Payroll:

• Responsible for the overall management and administration of the College’s bi-weekly payroll cycle.
• Interpret, apply, and maintain current knowledge of applicable legislated requirements and company policies as related to payroll.
• Process payroll changes as required
• Identify and ensure accurate reporting of all taxable benefits incurred by College staff members.
• Oversee external payroll processing service to ensure efficient, timely, and accurate processing
• Ensure payroll software is kept up-to-date with accurate employee data, earnings schedules, and deduction calculations.
• Analyze payroll workflow processes, identify issues, and implement changes where required.
• Review payroll pre-processing reports prior to transmission to ensure accuracy
• Co-ordinate the development and maintenance of standardized and ad hoc payroll reports
• Ensure accurate tax reporting and payment for all payroll activities
• Act as liaison with relevant government agencies, and auditors.
• Plan, co-ordinate, and execute year end payroll reconciliation and balancing to ensure accurate year-end T4/T4A tax forms, annual returns and summaries

Pension Administration:

• Responsible for the overall day-to-day administration of the College’s two defined benefit pension plans – Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) and OMERS
• Ensure monthly pension reporting and remittances are accurate and timely.
• Interpret and apply pension plan provisions as they relate to employee terminations and leaves.
• Review OMERS Annual Employer Attestation form with Controller to confirm compliance with OMERS plan provisions,
• Complete and review the Annual OTPP Certificate of Compliance with Controller to confirm the College’s compliance with OTPP plan provisions
• Calculate applicable pension adjustment amounts and report on employee year-end T4 tax slips.
• Complete year-end pension reporting reconciliation process with OTPP and OMERS

Benefit Administration:

• Manage and co-ordinate all benefit administration duties
• Orientate new employees; explain benefit programs and ensure employee completes appropriate forms.
• Act as primary liaison with benefits consultant and insurance carrier.
• Assist employees with claim issues when required.
• Interpret and apply benefit plan provisions as they relate to employee terminations and leaves.
• Determine annual healthcare spending account entitlements and report to benefit carrier for set-up.
• Participate in the annual renewal for benefit programs.

Accounting:

• Plan and prepare the College’s annual salary and benefit budget.
• Conduct payroll and benefit budget forecasting and budget variance analysis.
• Maintain working knowledge of basic accounting principles.
• Prepare and process general ledger entries relating to all payroll, benefits, and pension transactions.
• Complete quarterly payroll account reconciliations to ensure accuracy of general ledger balances.

Organizational Support:

• Facilitate new hire onboarding by intaking paperwork, and communicating payroll, pension, and benefit information.
• Work collaboratively with HR unit to ensure accurate and timely computing of bi-weekly pay changes.
• Compile and analyze information for HR Department and Controller as required

• Provide internal College stakeholders customer-focused support for all questions while maintaining confidentiality and discretion at all times

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

• Completion of a post-secondary diploma or degree in Business or related field
• 5+ years of experience in managing a corporate payroll and benefits program
• National Payroll Institute (formerly the Canadian Payroll Association) (PCP) certification
• Proficiency in BC Dynamics 365, Microsoft Excel, Word, Adobe for financial analysis, reporting, and documentation
• Knowledge of ADP Workforce Now or similar Software application in managing corporate payroll and preparing system reports.
• Analytical ability, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills to ensure accurate financial records and resolve discrepancies
• Organizational and time-management skills to meet operational requirements and deadlines
• Written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain financial information in a clear and understandable manner and communicate effectively with other departments
• Teamwork, adaptability, and positive attitude to support collaboration, manage change and contribute to a productive work environment

We use Artificial Intelligence (AI) screening to sort applications. Trained staff review applications before decisions are made.

The Ontario College of Teachers offers competitive salaries, pension, comprehensive benefits and a modern, progressive work environment. This position operates with a mix of remote and in-office workdays.

Ontario College of Teachers is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes and work environment. We will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Please advise the Human Resources Department to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated throughout this process. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially