Payroll Administrator

St. Cloud State University; Saint Cloud (MN); On-site; USD 74,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

PERA retirement plan

Paid time off per union contract

Job summary

The City of St. Cloud is seeking a Payroll Administrator to manage full-cycle payroll for all city employees, ensuring accurate and timely pay, maintenance of records, and compliance with CBAs, IRS rules, and MN statutes.

This role supports budgeting related to payroll, tests ERP configurations, and collaborates with the payroll team to reflect policy changes and law updates.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance and three(3) years or more of progressive, end-to-end payroll processing experience
• OR Associate’s degree in accounting in combination with six(6) years or more of full-time experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties

Responsibilities

• Administers all end-to-end bi-weekly, quarterly, annual and special payroll processes for all city employees.
• Maintains employee records and audits time and attendance for compliance with contracts and policies.
• Calculates withholdings for taxes, pensions, levies, and deductions; processes disbursements and taxes.
• Produces W-2s, reconciles benefit deductions, and coordinates with external agencies for compliance.
• Assists with ERP payroll configuration updates and tests changes for CBAs and tax laws.

Skills

End-to-end payroll processing

Payroll accounting principles

Budget forecasting

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

Associate's degree in accounting

Tools

ERP payroll software

Time and attendance system

Job description

The St. Cloud Finance Department is seeking a qualified and dedicated individual to fill the role of Payroll Administrator. This position is responsible for administering the City’s full-cycle, end-to-end payroll functions, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time. The position maintains employee records, performs calculation of wages and deductions in adherence with city policy, collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), IRS rules, federal law and MN statutes for reporting requirements and/or payments. The position supports annual budgeting functions as they relate to payroll; wages and fringe benefits. The position is also responsible to assist with development and testing of configuration revisions maintained in the City of St. Cloud’s ERP system and related software applications to accurately reflect CBAs terms and tax law. This position requires a strong working knowledge of payroll accounting principles and ERP software application.

Examples Of Duties And Responsibilities Include

• Administers all end-to-end bi-weekly, quarterly, annual and special payroll processes for all city employees.
• Responsible for payroll maintenance on employee records.
• Audits time and attendance data for compliance with employment rules, contracts and policies.
• Calculates and executes withholdings for taxes, pensions, levies, voluntary deductions, and benefits.
• Processes and submits disbursements for pay-related deductions and taxes.
• Oversees reconciliation of benefit deductions to vendor invoices.
• Responsible for all report and file submissions required within the payroll process.
• Produce, reconcile, file and distribute W2s.
• Manage application of retiree insurance benefits and expense recording within general ledger.
• Process and submit for wage and benefit reimbursements available to city.
• Act as primary liaison to coordinate with external agencies for compliance and audit review for pensions, workers compensation, and OPEB requirements.
• Develops, analyzes, and forecasts the annual personnel services budget.
• Collaborates with labor negotiation team in research, report compilation, benefit cost forecasting and verifying proposed terms can be configured within the ERP payroll software.
• Participates with implementation and testing of updates within payroll software needed to comply with laws, collective bargaining agreements and policy changes.
• Maintains awareness of changes in federal and state laws and other regulations affecting payroll operation.
• Performs other work as required and assigned.

View the Job Profile

Benefits

The city is proud to provide a competitive healthcare package which includes single insurance premiums covered 100% by the employer and family covered 90%. The 2026 Family health insurance premiums are valued at an average of $33,253 annually. Many voluntary benefits, including disability and flexible spending accounts, are also offered. See benefit overview for more information on City benefits.

Retirement

An excellent retirement pension plan is provided by the city through the Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA).

Paid Leave

Information on vacation, sick leave, personal day and holidays can be found in the applicable labor union contract.

To learn more about the City of St. Cloud community, visit the Community Profile

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance and three(3) years or more of progressive, end-to-end payroll processing experience OR Associate’s degree in accounting in combination with six(6) years or more of full-time experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position.

Salary

The 2026 full salary range is $73,584 - $98,27. The beginning hiring rate: $35.3771/hr. On January 1, 2027, there is a 4.75% general wage increase to all ranges and steps.