Payroll Assistant

Southern Connecticut State University; New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Connecticut State University is seeking a Payroll Assistant who will manage payroll processes and ensure compliance and accuracy. The role serves as the front line for employee communications and coordinates with Human Resources.

Responsibilities include processing checks, direct deposits, and other payroll transactions, while proposing internal control improvements and maintaining timely documentation. A Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of related experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance, or related field.
• Two (2) years of relevant experience.
• Credentials and/or experience substantially comparable to the above may also be considered.
• Knowledge of payroll processes.
• Extremely customer-focused and excellent client relationship skills.
• Strong personal computer and business solutions software skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good planning and organizational skills to balance and prioritize work.
• Works well in a team environment.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Experience with CoreCT and/or State of CT payroll processes preferred.
• These qualifications may be waived for individuals with appropriate alternate experience

Responsibilities

• Daily management of the payroll process ensuring compliance, accuracy, timeliness, follow-up communication, and adequacy of supporting documentation.
• Prepares payroll transactions including check cancellations, petty cash requests, direct deposit, lost check requests, additional pay, etc.
• Provides exceptional customer service and is on the frontline for all communications with employees and other stakeholders such as Human Resources.
• Recommends internal control upgrades to ensure appropriate checks and balances.
• Performs other duties related to those above which do not alter the basic level of responsibility of the position.

Skills

Payroll knowledge

Customer service

MS Office

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance, or related field

Two years of relevant experience

Tools

CoreCT

Job description

Rank: Administrator II
Search Number: S26-011
Job Posted: October 30, 2026

Southern Connecticut State University is a diverse and student-centered university dedicated to academic excellence, access, and service for the public good. Southern provides a supportive and welcoming environment for all members of its community through a campus wide commitment to social justice.Founded as a teacher’s college in 1893, Southern has evolved over the past century into a comprehensive public university of more than 9,000 students, offering graduate and undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and professional disciplines. It is one of four universities in the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System. The University is located in New Haven, a city rich with arts and culture, and less than 90 miles from New York City and 140 miles from Boston.

The Payroll Assistant will be responsible for all payroll activity including communication, compliance checking, data entry, etc.

Supervision ExercisedNone.

Position Responsibilities:

Daily management of the payroll process ensuring compliance, accuracy, timeliness, follow-up communication, and adequacy of supporting documentation; ensures compliance with internal policies, agency rules and regulations, and generally accepted accounting principles.

Prepares payroll transactions including check cancellations, petty cash requests, direct deposit, lost check requests, additional pay, etc.

Provides exceptional customer service and is on the frontline for all communications with employees and other stakeholders such as Human Resources.

Recommends internal control upgrades to ensure appropriate checks and balances.

Performs other duties related to those above which do not alter the basic level of responsibility of the position.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance, or related field.
• Two (2) years of relevant experience.
• Credentials and/or experience substantially comparable to the above may also be considered.
• Knowledge of payroll processes.
• Extremely customer-focused and excellent client relationship skills.
• Strong personal computer and business solutions software skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good planning and organizational skills to balance and prioritize work.
• Works well in a team environment.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Experience with CoreCT and/or State of CT payroll processes preferred.
• These qualifications may be waived for individuals with appropriate alternate experience

Southern Connecticut State University is an Affiantive Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University seeks to enhance the diversity of its faculty and staff. People of color, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.