Payroll Accounting Supervisor

George Mason University; Fairfax (VA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

A higher education institution is looking for a Payroll Accounting Supervisor to oversee payroll operations and ensure compliance. This role involves managing a payroll team, filing reports accurately, and collaborating with departments. Ideal candidates possess a bachelor's degree in related fields, significant payroll experience, and effective communication skills. This is a full-time position based in Fairfax, VA with hybrid eligibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• 3-5 years of payroll reconciliation experience.
• 1-2 years of supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of payroll laws and regulations is essential.
• Ability to collaborate with end users and internal/external departments with clear policy/process communication.

Responsibilities

• Supervise payroll reconciliations by internal deadlines.
• File quarterly unemployment reports accurately.
• Manage submissions and reconciliations with external vendor.
• Oversee performance management of the Payroll Accounting team.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Payroll account reconciliations

Supervisory experience

Excel data analysis

Payroll best practices

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or business administration

Tools

HR/Payroll systems

Job description

Department: Fiscal Services

Classification: Financial Svcs Manager 1

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Pay Band: 05

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Financial Background Check: Yes

About the Department

The Payroll Office is responsible for timely and accurate processing of all University payrolls. The Payroll Office reconciles health care billings, payroll liability accounts, Virginia Retirement System (VRS) snapshot, processes invoices for payment to all payroll vendors for employee/employer withholdings, and makes retroactive pay adjustments. The Payroll Office submits quarterly filings for unemployment, federal and state taxes to the appropriate taxing authorities and generates annual W2s.

About the Position

The Payroll Accounting Supervisor supervises a payroll accounting team to ensure efficient operations and compliance. The position oversees accuracy of over 70 liability account reconciliations and the timely resolution of outstanding reconciling differences essential for financial compliance. Additionally, this role manages quarterly filings for tax returns and unemployment reporting while serving as the primary liaison with the ADP service provider for effective communication and issue resolution.

Responsibilities

• Ensures payroll reconciliations are completed by the prescribed internal deadlines and the deadlines set forth by the Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM). Works with accountants, benefits, and external departments to resolve any discrepancies monthly and before the end of the fiscal year;
• Files quarterly unemployment reports to Virginia Employment Commission (VEC), other state agencies, and the Department of Taxation by the prescribed deadlines;
• Works with the external vendor to balance and submit 941s, 941 amendments, state quarterly filing by the prescribed deadlines, and reconcile calendar year end 941s, 1042s to W2s. Acts as point of contact with the external vendor;
• Responsible for supervision of the Payroll Accounting team and all aspects of performance management including training, goal setting, monitoring and delivery of work efforts, and providing feedback through verbal updates and written performance reviews to the teams. Adheres to legal and university policies and procedures and undertakes disciplinary actions as needed; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business administration, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Demonstrated experience (typically 3-5 years) in payroll related account reconciliations and supervisory experience (typically 1-2 years); Experience working with large amounts of payroll data using Excel and analyzing the data for discrepancies or errors;
• Knowledge of payroll best practices, accounting, working with the general ledger, account reconciliations, complex HR/Payroll systems, and calendar and fiscal year end reporting (W2s/1042s);
• Knowledge of federal and state payroll tax laws and regulations, familiarity with FLSA, overtime rules and wage garnishment laws, and an understanding of benefits deductions and retirement deductions; and
• Ability to work collaboratively with end users, internal and external departments providing clear and effective communication on policies and process requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in payroll for a large, complex organization or higher education is preferred;
• Experience with multi-state and international taxation is a plus;
• Workflow Optimization: Awareness of techniques to streamline operations, reduce waste, and maximize efficiency by proactively identifying opportunities for transformative improvements.

Instructions to Applicants

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Payroll Accounting Supervisor at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a resume for review.

Posting Open Date

November 21, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by

December 5, 2025

Open Until Filled

Yes