Payroll & Benefits Administrator (Permanent Full Time) 1.0 FTE

Parkland School Division; Stony Plain; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Parkland School Division seeks a Payroll & Benefits Administrator (1.0 FTE) in Stony Plain, Alberta. You will process payroll and benefits for up to 1,200 employees, ensure compliance with collective agreements and legislation, and reconcile deductions to the General Ledger.

Experience with CPA standards and ERP systems is preferred. The role requires attention to detail, confidentiality, and the ability to meet tight deadlines while coordinating with Pension Boards and external vendors.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Business Administration/Accounting or equivalent.
• CPA certification is required.
• Minimum of three years in a similar payroll/benefits role.
• Proficient in MS Office; Atrieve ERP is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Process payroll and benefits for up to 1,200 employees, including adjustments and terminations.
• Administer benefit plans and coordinate with Pension Boards (ATRF/LAPP).
• Reconcile payroll, benefits, and statutory deductions to the General Ledger monthly; manage third-party payments.

Skills

Payroll knowledge

Attention to detail

Timelines management

Confidentiality

Education

Diploma in Business Administration/Accounting

CPA certification

Tools

MS Office (Excel, Word)

Atrieve ERP

Job description

Are you interested in working with our dynamic and progressive school division to pursue excellence in education for students, professional learning opportunities, a flexible health benefits package, and a workplace that embraces diversity? Then we are the place for you!

Who We Are And What We Value

Parkland School Division (PSD) is a large progressive school jurisdiction serving Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Fort Chipewyan and Parkland County. PSD meets the diverse educational needs of over 12,000 rural and urban students among 23 sites, including outreach schools and alternative education programs.

Our values are what guide us. We strive for learning opportunities that are purposeful, essential, relevant, authentic and responsive while aiming for excellence in achievement. PSD also values trustworthy, respectful relationships that promote resilience as students and staff work towards our Ultimate Goal: Student Success & Well-being.

The Parkland School Division currently has a Permanent Full-Time position for a Payroll & Benefits Administrator (1.0 FTE) available at our Centre for Education in Stony Plain, Alberta.

This position will remain open until qualified applicant is hired.

Payroll Processing & Administration

• Process payroll and benefits transactions (pay adjustments, direct deposits, manual cheques, terminations, hires, and layoffs) for up to 1,200 employees.
• Calculate and process complex adjustments, including Early Retirement Incentive Programs, Deferred Salary Leave Plans, and benefit arrears.
• Ensure compliance with three different collective agreements, Board policies, and current legislation (including the School Act and Labour Standards).
• System-process payroll by verifying timesheets, running edit lists/exception reports, and inputting data from Human Resources.
• Calculate retroactive increments, partial pay period salaries, acting incumbency payments, and assignment changes.
• Track and initiate deductions for lost time and monitor general illness/WCB entitlements.

Benefits & Pension Oversight

• Administer all mandatory and employee-selected benefit plans, ensuring accurate deductions and informing staff of available options.
• Coordinate with Pension Boards (ATRF and LAPP) to submit termination notices and gather historical data for prior service purchases.
• Balance and reconcile monthly deductions (CPP, E.I., Pension, Union dues, etc.) to the General Ledger and resolve any variances.
• Record benefit payments during leaves of absence and ensure appropriate parties are invoiced.

General Ledger Reconciliations & 3rd Party Vendor Payments

• Reconcile payroll, benefits, and statutory deduction accounts to the General Ledger monthly, identifying and resolving any variances or discrepancies.
• Prepare, verify, and process payments for third-party vendors, including health benefit providers, pension funds (ATRF/LAPP), union dues, garnishments, and WCB.
• Create and post monthly payroll-related journal entries, wage accruals, and year-end audit schedules for finance department review.
• Ensure accurate and timely remittance of all statutory liabilities and vendor payments to remain compliant and avoid late fees or interest.
• Maintain complete audit trails and supporting documentation for all financial transactions, supporting both internal and external financial audits.

Records, Tax & Reporting

• Maintain accurate employee payroll history and master files, documenting unusual pay situations or adjustments.
• Audit year-to-date earnings and deductions to ensure all T4-related data is correct; generate and distribute annual T4s and T4As.
• Produce Records of Employment (ROE) and respond to inquiries from Employment Insurance (E.I.).
• Generate required pay period reports (Payroll Registers, Exception Reports) and handle inquiries from staff and outside agencies.

Qualifications & Skills

• Education: Diploma in Business Administration/Accounting or equivalent.
• Certification: Completion of Canadian Payroll Association (CPA) certification.
• Experience: Minimum of three (3) years in a similar position.
• Software: Proficiency in MS Office (Excel and Word). Experience with Atrieve (ERP) is a definite asset.
• Knowledge: Deep familiarity with Federal and Provincial payroll legislation, the School Act, and Pension Board regulations (LAPP/ATRF).
• Attributes: Ability to meet demanding timelines, manage accounts payable/reconciliation, and handle sensitive information within a team environment.

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday 8:00-4:30 PM (37.5 hours/week)

Rate of Pay: Commensurate with experience

Requirements: Current clean Criminal Record Check and Child Intervention Record Check.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.