Payroll Manager

City of Spokane; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Spokane seeks a Payroll Administrator to manage the city's central payroll function and advise management on financial decisions.

Responsibilities include administering payroll HRMS, ensuring accurate deductions, preparing W-2s, and guiding system improvements across departments. This role requires strong analytical skills and the ability to work with city officials to ensure compliance with regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business administration.
• Five years of professional experience in payroll administration.
• Experience with payroll HRMS and government reporting.

Responsibilities

• Administers Citywide payroll HRMS functions and works as a liaison with IT and application vendors to manage program applications.
• Ensures payroll deductions including taxes, court-ordered deductions, benefits, and deferred compensation are accurately processed and remitted.
• Reports and files payroll information and taxes with other governmental agencies, and prepares and distributes W-2 forms to all employees.
• Designs and directs HRMS projects that target payroll transactions and researches and analyzes system issues.

Skills

Payroll management

Education

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

Tools

HRMS software

Job description

Administers the City’s central payroll function and guides management in financial decision making.

This description was prepared to indicate the kinds of activities and levels of work difficulty required of positions in this class. It is not intended as a complete list of specific duties and responsibilities.

• Administers Citywide payroll HRMS functions and works as a liaison with IT and application vendors to manage program applications. Troubleshoots reports and databases, reconciles reporting errors, and makes recommendations within the highest levels of government in guiding decision making.
• Ensures that employee payroll deductions including taxes, court-ordered deductions, benefits, and deferred compensation are accurately processed and remitted to the correct destinations.
• Reports and files payroll information and taxes with other governmental agencies, and prepares and distributes W-2 forms to all employees.
• Designs and directs special HRMS projects that target payroll transactions, and researches and analyzes system issues. Tests and evaluates reporting for outcomes and efficiencies; streamlines processes, establishes processes and protocols, and performs complex financial calculations.
• Develops policies and procedures that affect payroll administration. Ensures operational units comply with reporting requirements and maintains fiscal accountability with regard to rules, regulations, contracts, policies, and procedures.
• Designs and directs systems configurations for payroll HRMS, including the customization of applications and modules, querying reports, ensuring data integrity, troubleshooting, researching, and implementing solutions, administering security authorizations, and communicating and training staff on systems changes and report processes.
• Audits and corrects departmental payroll entries and employee paychecks, and recommends corrective actions or processes. Works with external auditors to support the annual audit process.
• Supervises, trains, and evaluates subordinate professional and technical employees. Establishes performance requirements, completes annual performance reviews, and recommends discipline as necessary. Makes effective recommendations in hiring and promotional processes.
• Inspects subordinates’ work for compliance with standards. Reviews work upon completion for adherence to guidelines and the standards, and provides necessary feedback.
• Trains staff on payroll HRMS functions and processes.
• Researches and reconciles complex discrepancies in journal and accounting transactions, creates reports and compiles supporting documents for corrections, and guides staff and management through corrective actions.
• Provides complex and specialized information and assistance to internal and external stakeholders.
• Reviews new federal, state, and local legislation for its impact on current business processes or operations, and recommends actions to management.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Open-Entry Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business administration.
• Experience: Five years of professional experience in payroll administration.
• Equivalency: We accept equivalent combinations of education and experience. We welcome job seekers with relevant backgrounds to apply.

Applicants must first meet the minimum qualifications to be invited to take the examination. Those who pass the examination will then go on the hiring list.

The examination will consist of a Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E).

A Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E) is a written test where the applicant answers structured questions based on their previous experience and training or education. Please view this video for tips to help you fill out the T&E.

This is an online examination that will require a computer. If you do not have access to a computer, please notify Civil Service so that one may be provided.Computer reservations can also be made through your local public library.

Training and Experience Examination instructions and form will be emailed to qualified applicants according to the dates as listed below.

• Applicants who apply and meet the minimum qualifications between August 31st, 2026, and September 14th, 2026, will test Thursday, September 17th, 2026 through Monday, September 21st, 2026.
• Applicants who apply and meet the minimum qualifications between September 15th, 2026, and October 12th, 2026, will test Thursday, October 15th, 2026 through Monday, October 19th, 2026.

Please note: The email will come from City of Spokane ([e-mail]).

Additional examinations shall be administered as applications are received with results merged into one eligible list according to final ratings, pursuant to the Merit System Rules of the Civil Service Commission: Rule IV, Section 13 – Continuous Examinations.

For information on what to expect with the hiring process, a test information guide, and frequently asked questions, please visit our website.

Upon request, at time of application, City of Spokane will provide alternative accessible tests to individuals with disabilities that impair manual, sensory, or speaking skills needed to take the test, unless the test is intended to measure those skills.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity within our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status, genetic information, veteran/military status, or disability status. As a Fair Chance Employer, City of Spokane does not conduct initial background screening for non-public safety positions.