Accounting Clerk - Payroll

Panama City, City of (FL); Panama City (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Panama City is seeking an administrative and technical Payroll Clerk in the Accounting Department. Under the general guidance of the City Clerk-Treasurer, you will process wages, verify timesheets, apply deductions, and ensure tax compliance.

You will maintain payroll records, prepare reports, respond to employee inquiries, and assist auditors. A high school diploma and preferably an associate degree in accounting or business are required or substituted by equivalent training and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; associate degree preferred.
• 3+ years payroll experience preferred.
• Knowledge of payroll taxes and deductions; governmental accounting basics.

Responsibilities

• Process employee payroll, verify timesheets and calculate wages and deductions.
• Process manual payroll adjustments and off-cycle payments.
• Prepare regular and special payroll runs and tax filings.
• Maintain payroll records and generate reports for auditors.

Skills

Payroll processing

Accounting principles

Communication skills

Teamwork

Time management

Education

Associate's degree in accounting or business

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Excel

Word

Outlook

Job description

Under the general guidance and leadership of the City Clerk-Treasurer, this is an administrative and technical position within the Accounting Department. A key component of this role involves payroll-related duties, including processing employee wages, verifying timesheets, calculating deductions and ensuring compliance with tax regulations. Responsibilities include maintaining payroll records, preparing reports and addressing employee payroll inquiries.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Process employee payroll, including verifying timesheets, calculating wages and ensuring accurate deductions.
• Process manual payroll adjustments and off-cycle payments.
• Prepare and process regular and special payroll runs.
• Assists with the preparation and submission of required payroll tax filings and reports, including W-2 processing.
• Coordinate with internal and external resources to ensure payroll is processed accurately and efficiently.
• Apply fundamental accounting principles, including but not limited to the matching principle, consistency principle, cash versus accrual principle and full disclosure principle.
• Communicate efficiently, promptly, and courteously with employees, regulatory agencies and external entities regarding payroll-related inquiries.
• Maintain payroll records and documents in compliance with records retention laws and general practice guidelines.
• Prepare and present payroll-related reports to various stakeholders.
• Provide payroll reports and necessary documentation for the City's auditors.
• Assist in preparing payroll-related reports for internal and external agencies.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Communicate effectively, cooperatively, and in a team-focused manner with team members to explain issues related to payroll processing and timekeeping.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Basic knowledge of governmental accounting practices and principles.
• Basic knowledge and skills related to payroll processing within acceptable accounting standards, including an understanding of gross and net pay calculations, tax withholdings, deductions and payroll reconciliations.
• Ability to understand the relationship between payroll, benefits, tax reporting, auditing and other essential payroll-related accounting practices.
• Application and knowledge of laws, rules and regulations governing purchasing processes and procedures.
• Computer skills, including proficiency with Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Basic arithmetic skills and the ability to analyze data for accuracy.
• Skills with purchase orders, invoicing, accounts payable, check reconciliation, auditing and other basic daily business accounting practices.
• Excellent communication skills, both in written and verbal formats, with all customers and agencies.
• Desire and ability to work in an effective, cooperative, team-focused and positive manner with internal and external customers.
• Problem-solving skills, including multi-tasking abilities.
• Skills to compose, create and edit correspondence, documentation and reports.
• Ability to work independently and in a team setting.
• Self-starter and independent, but readily adapts to direction.
• Possession of general office etiquette and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with City team members, elected officials, various agencies and the general public.
• Basic office equipment and computer application knowledge.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma.
• Associate's degree in accounting or business preferred.
• Three (3) years of experience in payroll preferred.

A comparable amount of training and/or experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

SUMMARY

• Occasionally - Lift/Carry: 10+ lbs., Push/Pull: 10+ lbs., Squat/Kneel, Climb, Crawl, Reach above Shoulder and Reach Outward, Drive.
• Frequently - Lift/Carry: Less than 10 lbs., Push/Pull: Less than 10 lbs., Bend, Twist/Turn, Stand, Walk.
• Constantly - Handling/Fine Motor Skills, Type/Keyboard, Sit.

These are intended only as illustrations of various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.

The City of Panama City is an Equal Opportunity Aff…