Payroll Accountant

Virginia Tech; Blacksburg (VA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech is seeking an experienced payroll accountant to join the University supporting payroll operations. Reporting to the Payroll Operations Manager, this position requires a high level of analysis and critical thinking skills to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.

The payroll team handles retroactive pay adjustments, garnishments, tax liens and child support orders, reallocates earnings for workers' compensation and short-term disability, and processes estate payments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in accounting or business-related field, or significant payroll experience.
• Experience processing garnishments and familiarity with regulatory requirements.
• Experience analyzing earnings, deductions and benefits impacts.
• Ability to interpret federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Processing pay adjustments, garnishments and levies in accordance with regulations.
• Addressing under/overpayments by processing adjustments to income.
• Reallocating earnings for workers compensation and disability.
• Processing payments to estates or beneficiaries in accordance with guidelines.
• Assisting in the compliance review of withholding and reporting requirements for payment or adjustments.
• Interpreting state, federal, and immigration regulations related to employee compensation and benefits.
• Assisting with various reconciliations.

Skills

Garnishments processing

Regulatory knowledge

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in accounting or business-related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

Virginia Tech is seeking an experienced payroll accountant to join the University supporting payroll operations. Reporting to the Payroll Operations Manager, this position requires a high level of analysis and critical thinking skills to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations. The payroll operations team makes all retroactive pay adjustments, collects and disburses all garnishments, tax liens and child support orders, reallocates earnings for workers compensation and short-term disability, and processes estate payments.

Core responsibilities of the Payroll Accountant consist of the following:

• Processing pay adjustments, garnishments and levies in accordance with regulations.
• Addressing under/overpayments by processing adjustments to income.
• Reallocating earnings for workers compensation and disability;
• Processing payments to estates or beneficiaries in accordance with guidelines.
• Assisting in the compliance review of withholding and reporting requirements for payment or adjustments.
• Interpreting state, federal, and immigration regulations related to employee compensation and benefits.
• Assisting with various reconciliations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in accounting or business-related field or significant relevant payroll experience.
• Experience with processing garnishments (of all types) and familiarity with regulatory requirements.
• Experience analyzing earnings, deductions, and cash/noncash fringe benefits, and the impact to earnings.
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret federal, state, and local payroll regulations and requirements.
• Experience using automated systems, personal computers and software such as Microsoft Office applications (specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint).

The Successful Candidate Must Be Able To

• Maintain absolute objectivity and confidentiality with all employees and all payroll related data.
• Independently plan, organize and prioritize workload to meet strict deadlines with multiple competing priorities.
• Communicate effectively and courteously with a diverse group of people.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with adjustments to earnings (overpayment/ underpayments).
• Familiarity with distribution of funds & refunds to employees and third parties.
• Experience working with a large, automated, complex payroll system in a high-volume environment.
• Payroll experience in a higher education setting.
• Experience with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system used by higher education institutions (i.e. Ellucian Banner, Oracle, Workday, or similar).

Pay Band

4

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Salary range of $58,000 - $62,000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

8/25/2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually. Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development. Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law. If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Zach LaCroix at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.