Payroll and Accounting Assistant

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Newport (RI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision coverage

403(b) retirement plan with employer/"

Tuition assistance for employees

Tuition remission for dependents

Wellness program and Fitness Center

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Salve Regina University is seeking a Payroll Specialist to perform bi-weekly and student payroll processing, tax payments, and related reporting. The role requires strong analytical skills, confidentiality, and the ability to work independently or with a team.

The position is on-site in Newport, RI, with duties spanning payroll system maintenance, timecard reviews, and collaboration with the Business Office to ensure accurate payroll processing and timely deductions.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in accounting or finance required.
• 2–3 years in a business setting ( accounting/finance ).
• Proficient with payroll systems, timekeeping and Microsoft applications.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Process bi-weekly and student payrolls using Colleague.
• Process tax payments and file related reports.
• Handle payroll documents and timekeeping.
• Respond to payroll inquiries and train staff as needed.
• Back-up Payroll Manager and ensure timely accrual updates.
• Reconcile payroll GL accounts with Payroll Manager.

Skills

Payroll processing

Timekeeping systems

Microsoft Excel

Analytical skills

Communication

Confidentiality

Independent work

Teamwork

Education

Associate's degree in accounting or finance

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

Tools

Colleague payroll system

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

About Salve Regina University

Salve Regina University, ranked as one of the most transformative colleges in the United States by Money Magazine, is a comprehensive Catholic University located in the scenic coastal community of Newport, Rhode Island. The University's commitment to academic success and personal discovery extends beyond its historic campus into a dynamic world where the application of higher thinking and skill are most valued. Salve Regina offers bachelor's and master's degree programs, graduate certificates, and doctoral programs in humanities, international relations and nursing. Enrollment includes more than 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students from across the U.S. and around the world.

Job Description

BASIC FUNCTION

Performs all activities necessary to process payroll, including maintaining and updating related records, filing tax reports and voluntary retirement deduction reports, processing involuntary deductions such as levies and garnishments, preparing accounting transactions and documents and documenting and updating procedures. Performs other accounting/finance duties in support of the Business Office, such as but not limited to, those associated with accounts payable, purchasing and other areas as needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Processes bi-weekly and student payrolls through Salve's enterprise system, Colleague, including timecard review and processing, supporting analysis schedules and reconciliations.
• Process tax payments and file related reports.
• Processes new employee and existing employee payroll documents timely and accurately.
• Responds to employee requests for payroll-related information; provide assistance to University employees for payroll matters.
• Trains employees on timecard system and related functionality; train University employees on other payroll related items as needed.
• Update payroll processes as needed to remain current.
• Serve as back-up to the Payroll Manager for all payroll related duties.
• Update paid time off accrual balances.
• Work with other University departments to enable timely and efficient payroll processing of students hires and terminations.
• Review payroll related general ledger accounts and work with Payroll Manager for regular reconciliation.
• Maintain working knowledge of University policies and apply them to payroll processes.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs other accounting/finance duties in support of the Business Office, such as but not limited to, those associated with accounts payable and purchasing.
• Performs all other job-related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

LICENSES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT

N/A

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

• The incumbent is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.
• This is an on-site position.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Associate's degree in accounting or finance required
• 2-3 years demonstrated experience working in a business setting (i.e., accounting or finance role)
• Proficient with financial systems, payroll systems, timekeeping systems.
• Proficient with Microsoft applications (Excel, Word, Outlook, Powerpoint etc.)
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, and as part of a team
• Must possess strong analytical and math skills
• Confidentiality is a must
• Ability to handle difficult situations with students and staff
• Ability to communicate effectively to the wide variety of employees served by the payroll office
• Ability to work with set deadlines for each payroll and tax reporting cycle

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated payroll processing experience
• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance
• Experience with Colleague payroll processing
• Experience in a higher education setting

Additional Information

Salve Regina University offers generous benefits to eligible employees including (waiting periods apply):

• health, dental and vision coverage available on the first of the month following date of hire
• 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA with employee and employer contributions as well as access to advising services
• long-term disability coverage
• employer-paid life and AD&D insurance
• up to 100% free tuition at Salve for eligible employees and qualified dependents
• robust wellness program and free access to the on-campus Fitness Center

Other available benefits include:

• supplemental life insurance for employees and dependents
• supplemental insurance coverage through Aflac
• Tuition Exchange scholarship program. Application available for qualified dependents of eligible employees working full-time
• discounted pet insurance through ASPCA
• student loan forgiveness assistance program (SAVI)
• employee Assistance Program through Health Advocate
• flexible spending health and dependent care accounts
• health savings accounts
• 529 collegebound saver program
• paid parental leave and adoption assistance

For more detailed information on Salve's benefits, visit https://salve.edu/human-resources/benefits .

Salve Regina University strives to cultivate belonging values through diversity, equity inclusion in order to foster a welcoming culture for our staff, faculty and students, as well as the wider community. Salve Regina University embraces all people with grace. No matter the path traveled to get here, the University acknowledges that many identities will intersect. Salve Regina belongs to all in its community.