Payroll Accountant - Higher Ed Compliance & Garnishments

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. The role reports to the Payroll Operations Manager and requires strong analytical and regulatory knowledge to ensure compliance with federal and state laws.

The payroll team handles retroactive pay adjustments, garnishments, tax liens, child support orders, workers compensation reallocations, short-term disability, and estate payments. A criminal conviction check is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in accounting or business-related field or significant 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).

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

Payroll regulations knowledge

Earnings/deductions analysis

MS Office proficiency

Confidentiality

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field

Tools

Ellucian Banner

Oracle

Workday

Job description

Virginia Tech is seeking an experienced payroll accountant to join the University supporting payroll operations. The role reports to the Payroll Operations Manager and requires strong analytical and regulatory knowledge to ensure compliance with federal and state laws.

The payroll team handles retroactive pay adjustments, garnishments, tax liens, child support orders, workers compensation reallocations, short-term disability, and estate payments. A criminal conviction check is required.