Analyst - Payroll

Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC); Appleton (WI); On-site; USD 37,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite health clinic

Dental clinic

Fitness center

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) in Appleton, WI, seeks a Payroll Analyst to administer payroll operations, ensure accuracy, and handle tax/regulatory reporting. You will manage processing, testing, and reconciliations across Workday Payroll, Time Tracking, and related modules.

The role emphasizes data analysis, year-end close support, and collaboration with Finance and HR teams to maintain controls and compliance. Onsite with occasional remote work possible.

Qualifications

• Associate degree required; 4–5 years payroll/tax in a large org; HE payroll preferred.

Responsibilities

• Process payroll for all employee groups using Workday systems.
• Analyze payroll data for accuracy and trends; support audits.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Education

Associate Degree in Accounting or related area

Tools

Workday Payroll

Workday Time Tracking

Activity Pay

Job description

Job Category: Regular Support Staff

Institution: Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC)

Worksite: Appleton Main Campus

Hours Per Week: 40

Note to internal applicants: Do not apply via this portal. Login to your Workday Account and Find Internal Career Opportunities through the Internal Portal.

Job Description Summary

The Payroll Analyst administers and analyzes payroll operations to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely pay for all employee groups. This role is responsible for payroll processing, tax and regulatory reporting, retirement system administration, system testing, and payroll reconciliations.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Payroll Processing & Administration
  • Prepare and process payroll for all employee groups.
  • Receive, review, and analyze payroll data for accuracy.
  • Complete all stages of payroll processing using Human Resources, Finance, Student, and Workday systems.
  • Review payroll results, identify discrepancies, troubleshoot errors, and make corrections to ensure timely and accurate payroll completion.
  • Prepare and process payroll adjustments.
  • Support year-end payroll close and balancing activities.
  • Maintain payroll policies, procedures, and documentation.
  • Participate in functional testing of Workday Payroll, Time Tracking, and Third-Party tax interface functionality during system updates.
  • Serve as subject matter expert for Workday Payroll, Time Tracking, Activity Pay, and Absence modules.
• Payroll Data Analysis & Reporting
  • Develop and maintain payroll spreadsheets and reports for analysis, reconciliation, and informational purposes.
  • Analyze payroll trends, variances, and discrepancies to support audits and internal review.
• Tax, Compliance & Regulatory Reporting
  • Apply federal, multi-state, and local tax rules to payroll operations.
  • Prepare, submit, and audit federal, state, and local taxes on a per-payday, quarterly, and year-end basis in coordination with the Third-Party Tax Administrator.
  • Prepare and distribute annual W-2 forms and related reports.
  • Process Unemployment Insurance inquiries and required documentation.
• Retirement & Statutory Benefits Administration
  • Maintain Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) data, including eligibility determinations, fund disbursements, and preparation of monthly and annual reports.
  • Ensure payroll and retirement processes comply with WRS guidelines and reporting requirements.
• Reconciliations & Financial Controls
  • Partner with benefits and finance teams to reconcile benefit charges, payroll-related general ledger accounts, and WRS.
  • Prepare and post payroll-related journal entries as needed.
  • Support internal controls and documentation related to payroll transactions.
  • Collaborate with Finance to support Workday Finance payroll-related transactions.
• Specialized Pay Programs (Activity Pay & Faculty Support)
  • Maintain comprehensive knowledge of the Activity Pay system.
  • Assist faculty in understanding Activity Pay, adjunct pay schedules, and pay processes.
  • Partner with class originators and academic operations specialists to troubleshoot and resolve issues.
• Customer Service & Issue Resolution
  • Respond to employee payroll inquiries in a timely, accurate, and customer-focused manner.
  • Research and resolve complex payroll issues and discrepancies.
  • Provide training or guidance to managers and employees on payroll processes.
  • Identify issues and improvement opportunities within payroll operations; provide input on desired outcomes to HR & Finance Systems team for implementation.
  • Monitor payroll-related legislative or regulatory changes and assess impact.
• Audit & Risk Support
  • Partner with Finance on annual College financial, workers compensation, and unemployment compensation audits.
  • Provide payroll data, documentation, and analysis as requested.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate Degree in Accounting or related area, Four to five years of practical payroll and tax work experience in a large, complex organization; Higher Education payroll experience preferred.

Licenses, Certifications, and Other Requirements

• Advanced Excel and basic Word and Powerpoint Skills required.
• FPC or CPP certification is preferred.
• Experience working with Workday Payroll related modules is preferred.

Work Environment

Work will primarily be completed on campus with some remote work available at times. Work environment may change based upon college needs.

Physical Requirements

Sitting: This role requires extended periods of sitting while performing tasks and utilizing computer systems.

Mobility: While much of the work is desk-based, occasional mobility may be necessary for attending meetings, office tours, or events within the workplace.

Lifting and Carrying: The role requires occasional/continuous lifting and carrying of light to moderate items.

Repetitive Motions: Capacity to perform repetitive motions, such as typing, without discomfort or injury.

Communication: Clear verbal and written communication skills are essential for interacting with employees, students, community members, executive leaders, board of trustees, and key stakeholders, both in-person and through electronic means.

Travel: May require travel.

Driving: Valid driver's license and ability to operate a vehicle, if driving is a requirement of the position.

EOE/ADA Statement

Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), FVTC will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Nothing in this job description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement or affect the at-will nature of the employment arrangement between the employee and company and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Additional Information

• Starting Range: $27.47 - $32.32 per hour.
• Pay is based on a multitude of factors, including experience, qualifications, education, relevant certifications, internal equity, and market data.
• Note: Internal applicants' wage will be based upon the applicable compensation guidelines.

At Fox Valley Technical College, we recognize employees as key contributors to our mission and are committed to fostering a culture of fairness, transparency, and excellence.

Our total rewards philosophy ensures equitable compensation and benefits, supporting a highly engaged workforce.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, along with retirement contributions to the Wisconsin Retirement System and 403(b)/457 plan options.

Employees enjoy paid time off, sick leave, holidays, bereavement leave, and recess periods.

We offer life and disability insurance, with options for additional coverage.

Work-life balance is supported through flexible schedules or remote work options (for some positions) and wellbeing programs.

Professional development opportunities include training, certifications, and tuition reimbursement.

Additional perks at the Appleton Main Campus include an onsite health and wellbeing clinic, dental clinic, fitness center, Parent/Child Center (onsite child care), library, café, printing services, Trilogy Salon & Spa, and more.

Fox Valley Technical College is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution, providing equal opportunity to all persons, including members of underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds, females, veterans and individuals of all abilities.

For questions regarding the College’s nondiscrimination policy, contact: Rayon Brown - [e-mail] (Affirmative Action), [e-mail] (sex-based discrimination or harassment), or Dan Squires - [e-mail] (Disability related discrimination).

Fox Valley Technical College® has been the college of choice in our community for over 100 years. This is because of our outstanding employees. People enjoy working at FVTC because of our collaborative and innovative culture. We celebrate diversity, support equity and inclusiveness, and encourages individual expression in our workplace. Our focus is on helping people get the skills they need to succeed in their chosen career.