Mgr, Payroll (SAO)

Accounting Office, State; United States; On-site; USD 56,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

The State Accounting Office (SAO) manages payroll and accounting across Georgia’s state government, ensuring timely and accurate employee compensation. The SAO oversees payroll systems and compliance for multiple agencies, with a focus on efficiency and accuracy.

The Payroll Manager role requires strategic leadership, data-driven decision making, and a commitment to operational excellence in a public-sector setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or 3+ years of payroll experience with at least 2 years in a supervisory/management role.
• Strong knowledge of payroll processes, wage and hour laws, and payroll tax reporting.
• Experience with ADP, Workday, or PeopleSoft in a large organization or multi-agency environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full-cycle payroll process including data collection, calculation, and entry for salaries, benefits, garnishments, and taxes.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and timely filing of payroll taxes and ACA reporting.
• Recruit, train, and supervise payroll staff and provide performance evaluations.
• Maintain payroll software and identify automation opportunities to improve efficiency.
• Conduct internal audits and support external audits with required records.

Skills

Payroll management

Supervisory experience

Payroll tax compliance

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

3+ years payroll experience

Tools

ADP

Workday

PeopleSoft

Job description

Explore a World of Opportunity with the State of Georgia! We are the force that drives Georgia! Georgia State Government is a large enterprise, composed of various agencies and entities with a common goal to improve the lives of Georgia's more than 10 million citizens! Join Team Georgia and impact lives everyday while receiving a robust benefits package designed for every stage of your career!

Job Title: Mgr, Payroll (SAO)

Job Requisition ID: JR0000000643

Number of Openings: 1

Shift: Day (United States of America)

Compensation Details: $56,310.72 - $73,677.24

Job Description

The State Accounting Office (SAO) provides accounting and financial reporting expertise for the State and is statutorily responsible for statewide financial reporting. The SAO also provides enterprise oversight and management of the State’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, accounting policy development, financial business process improvement recommendations, and management of the payroll and accounting shared service centers.

The State Accounting Office (SAO) Payroll Manager is responsible for ensuring all employees are paid accurately and on schedule, while maintaining strict compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. This role requires a strategic, detail-oriented leader who can effectively manage a team, optimize payroll processes and systems, and safeguard sensitive financial information. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem-solver with strong analytical skills and a commitment to operational excellence.

Important Notes

• Successfully pass a background check, including criminal background/records check, employment and education verification, employment reference checks, credit evaluation and professional license checks, where applicable
• Upon, and throughout, employment, both reside and work in the State of Georgia; and
• Have current legal authorization to work in the United States without employer sponsorship

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field OR 3+ years of payroll experience, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or management role.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage the full-cycle payroll process, including the collection, calculation and entry of data for salaries, benefits, garnishments, and taxes.
• Ensure adherence to all wage and hour laws (e.g., FSLA) and manage the timely filing of quarterly and annual payroll taxes, including W-2 and ACA reporting.
• Recruit, train, and supervise payroll staff, overseeing their daily workflow and providing performance evaluations.
• Maintain payroll software (e.g., ADP, Workday, PeopleSoft) and identify opportunities for automation to improve efficiency.
• Conduct regular internal audits and facilitate external audits by providing necessary records and documentation.
• Prepare accurate financial reports and payroll metrics for senior management to assist in strategic decision making.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for complex payroll inquiries, resolving discrepancies and issues with high professionalism.

Preferred Qualifications

• High Proficiency with standard office software (e.g., Excel, Word, Outlook) for data analysis, documentation, and reporting.
• Experience with TeamWorks (PeopleSoft) payroll or other large enterprise payroll, particularly in a public-sector or multi-agency environment.
• Exposure to Workday or GA@Work payroll, time tracking, or HCM modules through work experience, coursework, or implementation projects.
• Experience working in a shared services or centralized service delivery model supporting multiple business units or agencies GA@WORK

The State Accounting Office is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

The State Accounting Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in a related field OR 3+ years of payroll experience, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or management role. Note: An equivalent combination of knowledge, education, job or internship experience, training, and certifications that provides the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully perform the job at the level listed may be substituted year-over-year.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer The State of Georgia does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other protected categories in employment or the provision of services.

Qualified applicants may request reasonable accommodation when needed during the application and/or screening process by contacting the appropriate agency Human Resources department.

Georgia State Government is a large enterprise, composed of various entities with a common goal to improve the lives of Georgia's 10 million citizens. With nearly 62,000 employees, we are one of the single largest employer in the state. Public service opportunities stretch across the state as employees live and work in all 159 counties. From traditional fields such as accounting, nursing, and engineering to unique fields like forestry and natural resources management, Georgia state government provides a world of opportunity.