Accountant II - Payroll

Salt Lake City School District; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 71,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits eligible

Job summary

The Salt Lake City School District is seeking an Accountant II - Payroll to own the district's payroll cycle and supervise the payroll department, ensuring accuracy, reporting, and compliance with district and regulatory requirements. This role reports to the Director of Finance and anticipates a November 2026 start date.

Responsibilities include implementing procedures, internal controls, and timely payroll processing for 100+ employees, with emphasis on audit readiness in a school setting.

Qualifications

• Fingerprint background check is required for all candidates.
• Bachelor's degree with 5 years accounting experience or Master's with 3 years accounting experience.
• Experience applying accounting principles and tax codes and regulations.
• Experience using electronic payroll software to issue pay for 100+ employees.
• Intermediate Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams).
• Proficient in English written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Own the district payroll cycle and supervise payroll department activities.
• Develop reporting procedures and internal controls for payroll processes.
• Ensure accuracy of payroll-related data and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor audits and respond to payroll inquiries from stakeholders.
• Prepare journal entries and reconcile payroll-related general ledger accounts.

Skills

Payroll processing

English communication

Analytical thinking

Office equipment operation

Accounting principles

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting

Master's degree in accounting

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Position Details

• Work Calendar: 242 Day Calendar


• FTE: 1.0 (40 Hours per week)


• Contract Status: Contract


• FLSA Status: Exempt


• Reports To: Director of Finance


• Starting Wage: $83,450 annually


• Salary Schedule/Lane: 42/D


• Benefits: Eligible


• Anticipated Start Date: 11/02/2026


• Priority Screen Date: 10/18/2026

Positions Available: One Vacancy

Job Summary

*The Accountant II - Payroll has full ownership of the district's payroll cycle and supervises the activities of the payroll department including developing reporting procedures and internal controls; implementing procedures and processes; ensuring the accuracy of payroll-related data and compliance with district and regulatory agency requirements and guidelines; and monitoring employee performance achieving the department's overall objectives.*

Minimum Required Qualifications

• All positions require selected candidates to be fingerprinted and successfully pass a criminal background check.* Additional minimum required qualifications for this position are:


• Bachelor's degree with 5 years experience in accounting OR Master's degree with 3 years accounting experience


• Experience applying accounting principles and pertinent federal, state, and local tax codes, policies, and regulations and/or laws


• Experience using electronic payroll software systems to regularly issue pay to 100+ employees


• Intermediate level of Microsoft Office Suite Skills (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams)


• Speak, read, write, and present professionally, analyze, and interpret English written and verbal communications


• Ability to operate standard office equipment; phone, copy machines, etc.

Preferred Qualifications

These are examples of skill and experience that the best-qualified candidates may have. Not having one or all of them does not disqualify any candidate from consideration.

• CPA certification or CPA candidate


• Experience using Business Plus


• Experience working in K-12 education, or other government entity


• Experience using UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group) for processing payroll


• Experience using Microsoft Access


• Experience supervising two or more staff

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Consistently and reliability processes payroll checks and associated withholdings to pay employees, taxes, withholdings, garnishments, and vendors; collaborate with Human Resources Services to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing


• Authorize supplemental payroll checks to meet special compensation requirements and resolve payroll errors in a timely manner


• Understand contract pay and correctly calculate pay for incoming and outgoing employees and other contract variance circumstances


• Collect, analyze, research material and data (e.g., financial information, state and federal mandates, etc.) to evaluate, make recommendations, and report on the effectiveness of financial, budgetary, receipts, revenue, and payroll accounting


• Implement reporting procedures and internal controls to maintain accurate records and comply with standard accounting practices, district policies, and other regulatory requirements; monitor and implement changes in payroll laws and regulations to ensure compliance


• Inform a variety of district stakeholders (e.g. personnel, vendors, administrators, etc.) and provide necessary information for completing transactions and procedures, taking appropriate actions, and complying with established fiscal guidelines


• Monitor a variety of financial activity, ensuring that allocations are accurate and fiscal practices are followed


• Attend department and district meetings, workshops and seminars as needed to support payroll and department functions


• Maintain a wide variety of documents, files, and records (e.g. accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, contracts, etc.) and prepare written materials (e.g. reports, W-2, 941, memos, letters, procedures, manuals etc.) to provide an up-to-date reference, documentation of activities, ensure compliance, and provide written reference and/or conveying information and an audit trail


• Assist auditors by providing required information and coordinating necessary project activities


• Reconcile related general ledger payroll accounts and prepare journal entries as needed to ensure that all contributions and deductions are properly recorded and remitted; analyze, summarize, interpret, and review data to make appropriate recommendations


• Research discrepancies of payroll information and/or documentation to ensure accuracy and implement corrective measures, as necessary


• Train payroll personnel to provide information on proper operation of electronic systems and other payroll related topics


• Transfer funds electronically through the bank to pay federal income, FICA, and Medicare taxes


• Present information on a variety of topics to communicate information, gain feedback and ensure adherence to established internal controls


• Provide technical expertise and direction (e.g. internal processes, accounting procedures, etc.) to convey pertinent information to appropriate parties


• Respond to a variety of inquiries (e.g. staff, administration, vendors, etc.) to provide information, direction, and referral for addressing inquiries


• Supervise and provide leadership and guidance to assigned personnel, including workload assignments, training, evaluations, performance management, monitoring of quality and quantity of work, scheduling time off, providing technical assistance and training, coaching, employee relations, time approval, etc. ensuring accurate, timely, and smooth completion of department responsibilities and goals; and to enhance personnel productivity and achieving objectives within budget

• Support a team environment by collaborating with own and other work units to effectively perform the duties of the position


• Communicate effectively with diverse individuals while maintaining confidentiality and building positive working relationships with employees and stakeholders


• Adapt to changing work priorities and work with frequent interruptions, as required


• Work under limited supervision, utilizing time management and prioritization strategies, accurately processing detailed information and meeting deadlines


• Speak, read, write, analyze, understand, and follow written and verbal communication in English including grammar and punctuation; listen to, and understand information and ideas presented verbally or in writing


• Maintain regular and predictable attendance to fulfill job requirements efficiently and effectively


• As needed, roll, push, pull, bend, reach, stoop, and lift up to 25 pounds


• Performs other related duties as assigned to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit


• EMPLOYEE SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Yes

Work Environment & Physical Demands

Accountant II Physical Demands Form

The Salt Lake City School District is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, and its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Human Resource Services -- Salt Lake City School District (slcscho