Payroll Processing Accountant

UNC Finance and Operations; Chapel Hill (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

UNC Finance and Operations is seeking a payroll professional to support and perform complex payroll functions across university operations, including monthly and biweekly cycles and the UNC System Office payroll. The role emphasizes data integrity, compliance with regulations, and system knowledge in PeopleSoft.

The incumbent serves as a payroll SME, providing cross-functional support, assisting with year-end processing, and ensuring continuity during staff transitions and peak periods.

Qualifications

• Support and perform complex payroll functions for University payroll operations, including monthly and biweekly payrolls.
• Audit payroll transactions, records, and documentation for accuracy and compliance; resolve discrepancies.
• Assist with year-end processing and W-2/1042-S reporting activities.
• Maintain data integrity and adhere to federal/state regulations, university policies, and internal controls.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert within Payroll Services and provide backup coverage for critical payroll responsibilities during staff absences, vacancies, peak periods, and transitions.
• Support payroll system enhancements and test payroll calculations and processing scenarios.
• Assist with special projects and PeopleSoft-related activities.
• Work independently in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment to ensure timely payroll processing across multiple cycles.

Job description

This position is responsible for supporting and performing complex payroll functions associated with University payroll operations, including monthly and biweekly payrolls as well as the UNC System Office payroll. The position performs payroll processing activities through PeopleSoft; audits payroll transactions, records, and documentation for accuracy and compliance; researches and resolves discrepancies; assists with year-end processing; and supports W-2 and 1042-S reporting activities. The incumbent ensures payroll data integrity while adhering to federal and state regulations, University policies, and established internal controls.

This position serves as a critical subject matter expert within Payroll Services and plays an essential role in business continuity, operational resiliency, and succession planning for the department. The incumbent maintains specialized knowledge of payroll processing, systems, reconciliations, reporting requirements, and compliance obligations necessary to support uninterrupted payroll operations. This role provides cross-functional support for key payroll functions and serves as backup coverage for critical payroll responsibilities during staff absences, vacancies, peak processing periods, and organizational transitions. Through knowledge sharing, cross-training, and operational support, the position helps preserve institutional knowledge and mitigate operational risk.

Additional responsibilities include supporting payroll system enhancements, testing payroll calculations and processing scenarios, assisting with special projects, and performing assigned PeopleSoft-related activities. The position must be adaptable, detail-oriented, and capable of working independently in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment while ensuring the accurate and timely processing of payroll activities across multiple payroll cycles. The incumbent will also absorb and perform duties normally assigned to senior payroll staff, including the EHRA Lead Accountant, when necessary to ensure continuity of operations and consistent service delivery.