Payroll and Accounting Associate

Metopera; New York (NY); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Metopera in New York is seeking a Payroll Specialist to manage complex weekly payrolls for various employee groups. The ideal candidate will ensure timeliness and accuracy while demonstrating exceptional customer service.

This role requires a high school diploma, strong mathematical and Excel skills, and a minimum of one year's payroll experience. Knowledge of opera and appreciation for the arts is a plus. The position entails working in person at the Opera House office a minimum of four days a week.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year payroll experience.
• Prior experience in a union environment preferred.
• Must handle confidential information discreetly.

Responsibilities

• Process complex weekly payrolls accurately and timely.
• Enter data for new and existing employees.
• Assist employees with payroll questions, demonstrating customer service excellence.
• Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies.
• Provide general administrative support to the finance department.

Skills

Excellent mathematical skills

Proficiency with Microsoft Office

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Top‑notch customer service skills

Excellent organization skills

Attention to detail

Opera knowledge and appreciation for the arts

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Process complex weekly payrolls for various employee groups, ensuring timeliness, accuracy, cost effectiveness, and compliance with collective bargaining agreements and regulations. Consistently deliver top‑notch internal customer service. Communicate regularly with managers and timekeepers and answer employee questions.

Responsibilities

• Process complex weekly payrolls for various employee groups, ensuring timeliness, accuracy, and compliance with collective bargaining agreements and regulations
• Enter data for new and existing employees
• Assist with payroll‑related research and analysis
• Assist employees with payroll‑related questions and issues, demonstrating customer service excellence
• Answer inquiries on unemployment claims, employment verifications, workers’ compensation, mortgage and loan applications
• Maintain paid time off records for assigned employee groups
• Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies, in accordance with regulations
• Maintain in‑depth knowledge of payroll‑related regulations and a high degree of familiarity with collective bargaining agreements and non‑contractual pay practices
• Provide general administrative support, including answering phones, handling walk‑in traffic, and filing, as necessary
• Participate in the preparation of Payroll and Finance mailings to employees
• Provide accounting support for Finance Department including documentation review and financial analyses and reconciliations
• Assist in the follow‑up and reissuance of uncashed checks
• Coordinate securely gathering banking information and setting up electronic payments, and fielding questions regarding and resolving issues with returned payments
• Assistance with other finance and accounting department tasks on a partial weekly basis
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent education required. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Excellent mathematical skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (in particular, strong Excel skills).
• Minimum of one year payroll experience.
• Prior experience in a union environment preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Top‑notch customer service skills.
• Excellent organization skills and attention to detail.
• Opera knowledge, appreciation for the arts, and language skills a plus.

Job Requirements

• Must be able to work well in a high‑pressure/fast‑paced environment
• Must be able to deal with a variety of personality types
• Must be able to learn and adapt to a changing work environment
• Must be able to handle confidential information with the utmost discretion
• Must be able to work successfully both independently and as part of a team
• Regularly required to sit, talk, and hear
• Frequently required to use repetitive hand motion and to stand, walk, reach, bend
• Occasionally required to lift up to 20 pounds
• Must be able to work in person at the Opera House office a minimum of four days a week

The Metropolitan Opera is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and existing employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, citizenship status, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.