Payroll Processing Accountant

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill (NC); On-site; USD 50,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is seeking a Payroll Processing Accountant to join the Payroll Services team in Chapel Hill. The role focuses on payroll processing, reconciliations, compliance, reporting, and customer support to ensure employees are paid accurately and on time.

This position requires handling complex payroll functions across monthly and biweekly cycles, with collaboration across Human Resources, Finance, and campus partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 12 accounting credits, or an associate degree with 12 accounting credits, or equivalent training/experience.
• Experience with payroll processing in a large organization and familiarity with state and federal payroll regulations.
• Ability to audit data for accuracy and ensure timely, compliant payroll operations.

Responsibilities

• Process monthly and biweekly payrolls using PeopleSoft.
• Audit payroll transactions and resolve discrepancies.
• Prepare year-end payroll activities and W-2 reporting support.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and departmental partners to ensure accuracy.

Skills

Payroll processing

Regulatory compliance

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree with accounting coursework

Tools

PeopleSoft

Kronos / TIM

Job description

Department

Payroll Services-213430

Career Area

Accounting/Finance/Auditing

Is this an internal only recruitment?

No

Posting Open Date

10/30/2026

Application Deadline

11/12/2026

Position Type

Permanent Staff (SHRA)

Position Title

Accountant - Contributing

Salary Grade Equivalent

NC13 / GN10

Working Title

Payroll Processing Accountant

Position Number

00000346

Vacancy ID

P021526

Full-time/Part-time Permanent/Time-Limited

Full-Time Permanent

Hours per week

40

Work Schedule

Monday – Friday; 7:30am – 4:30pm

Work Location

CHAPEL HILL, NC

Position Location

North Carolina, US

Hiring Range

$50,000 - $58,279

Pay Band Information

To learn more about the pay band for this branch and role, please see the Career Banding rates spreadsheet.

Notice to Applicants

This position is not eligible for H-1B sponsorship.

Be a Tar Heel!

Do you enjoy solving complex payroll challenges, reconciling accounts, auditing data for accuracy, and researching issues to ensure employees are paid correctly and on time? Are you energized by work that combines analytical problem-solving, attention to detail, and collaboration with colleagues across campus? Do you take pride in providing exceptional customer service and contributing to a process that impacts every employee at the University? If so, UNC-Chapel Hill Payroll Services would love to meet you! We’re seeking a Payroll Processing Accountant to join our collaborative Payroll Services team. This position plays a key role in payroll processing, reconciliations, compliance, reporting, and customer support, helping ensure the accuracy, integrity, and efficiency of payroll operations across the University. Working closely with Payroll Services staff, Human Resources, Finance, and departmental partners, you’ll help deliver a seamless payroll experience for employees while supporting critical University operations. This opportunity is ideal for someone who enjoys working with data, values accuracy, and takes pride in delivering outstanding service while building strong partnerships across campus. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact as part of a team dedicated to supporting the University’s employees every day. We welcome candidates who are eager to learn, collaborate, and help us continue providing exceptional payroll services to the Carolina community.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

Payroll Services processes and issues salary and wage payments to all University employees, processes and remits deductions for federal, state, and local taxes, retirement, and other withholdings, and processes and remits University payments for employee benefits. Payroll Services also reviews and processes personnel actions for pay rolling purposes; reviews and processes TIM (Kronos) transactions for leave and payment, and performs data control and reconciliation functions for earning, taxes, deductions and benefits. Payroll Services maintains personnel funding records and processes payroll expense distribution along with the reconciliations between the Human Resource and Finance Modules for posting to the General Ledger. Payroll Services monitors payroll compliance, including non-resident alien payroll, and submits reports required for federal, state, and other purposes. Payroll Services serves as the functional lead for Payroll and Commitment Accounting modules within PeopleSoft.

Position Summary

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.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with 12 credit hours of accounting coursework; or Associate’s degree in accounting; or Associate’s degree in business or related discipline with 12 credit hours of accounting coursework; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Management Preferences

• Payroll processing experience in a complex organization with multiple payroll cycles, including monthly and biweekly payrolls.
• Knowledge of established state government and University regulations and procedures, as well as UNC-Chapel Hill policies and practices.
• Experience working closely with campus departments and business partners to provide guidance on payroll operations and compliance matters is highly desirable.
• Experience handling sensitive financial and personnel data is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage complex payroll responsibilities in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Position/Schedule Requirements

Overtime occasionally