Payroll Specialist

City of Glendale AZ; Glendale (AZ); On-site; USD 36,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Glendale AZ seeks a Payroll Specialist to manage the City's payroll processing, wage assignments, and tax withholdings, ensuring accuracy and compliance with federal, state, and local laws. The role includes reviewing departmental timesheets, posting payroll data, preparing reports, remitting direct deposits, and supporting HR on benefits and leave accruals.

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities to contribute to essential payroll operations in a

Qualifications

• Two years of college coursework in business or accounting plus one year of payroll experience.
• Familiar with federal and state payroll tax laws and regulations.
• Experience reconciling timesheets and payroll reports.

Responsibilities

• Review timesheets for accuracy, completeness and approvals; reconcile with payroll system.
• Process retroactive payments and deductions as needed.
• Prepare and transmit files, direct deposits, taxes, and retirement plan contributions.
• Reconcile payroll liabilities and file W-2s and 941s to meet federal/state requirements.
• Coordinate with Human Resources on new hire paperwork, benefits and leave accruals.

Skills

Payroll processing

Education

Two years of college coursework in business or accounting plus one year payroll experience

Job description

The Role

Payroll Specialist performs a variety of technical and advanced accounting clerical duties involved in the processing of the City's payroll, to include calculating all wage assignments, reconciling payroll against submitted department timesheet data, and calculating and remitting all applicable withholding liabilities. Work also includes preparing quarterly and annual federal and state payroll reporting returns and researching all applicable federal, state and local tax laws.

Description

The ideal candidate for the role will have a minimum of two years of college course work in business, accounting or related field plus one year of experience in payroll processing.

Salary

This position is: FLSA non-exempt and will earn overtime for any hours worked of 40 in a week. This position is a Grade 315 with an hourly salary between $26.2091 - $31.3139.

Benefits:

The City of Glendale offers a generous benefits package with competitive rates that become effective the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment. You can review the FY26-27 Benefits Guide (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader) or visit the City of Glendale’s Benefits pagefor more information.

Holiday, Vacation, and Sick Leave:

10.5 paid holidays per year, and full-time employees are also granted an additional 12 hours of holiday special leave per calendar year to celebrate their cultural or religious holidays. Vacation leave accrues at: 5.33 hours per pay period (138 hours/17.25* days per year). Increases to 6.12 hours per pay period after 5 years. Then caps out at 7.6 hours per pay period after 10 years of service. Sick leave accrues at 4.4 hours per pay period (114 hours/14.25 days* per year). Days per year estimates are based on an 8-hour work day Retirement: This position participates in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Contribution is mandatory, and deducted every pay period. The current contribution rate is 11.98%.

Essential Functions

• Reviews timesheets for accuracy, completeness and appropriate approvals. Adjusts entries as needed to comply with MOU's and Federal regulations. Reconciles timesheets to payroll system reports.


• Reviews and analyzes payroll reports for errors. Makes adjustments as needed to resolve problems.


• Processes, reviews and corrects retroactive payments and deductions.


• Runs the general payroll ledger payroll posting process.


• Prepares and transmits files, wires and check requests for direct deposit, taxes, deferred comp, retirement plans and other payroll liabilities.


• Reconciles payroll liabilities for accuracy of deductions, payments and recording.


• Reconciles, prepares and files W-2\'s, 941\'s and related payroll tax reports to comply with federal and state tax agency requirements.


• Ensures maintenance of employee data by entering withholding data, direct deposit requests, deductions and other employee information into the payroll system.


• Assists employees with complex and sensitive questions regarding tax withholding, direct deposit, leave accruals, and other payroll-related inquiries.


• Processes the citywide biweekly payroll from timesheet data and salary records.


• Processes off-cycle checks as needed.


• Assists with special projects, system testing, etc. as needed.


• Communicates with Human Resources and other departments regarding new hire paperwork, benefits, leave accruals, and other employee-related personnel actions impacting payroll.


• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications/Special Requirements/Success Factors

Two years of college course work in business, accounting or related field plus one year of experience in payroll processing.

Knowledge Of

• Applicable federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to payroll administration. and tax withholding


• Principles and procedures of payroll processing, reconciling and accounting


• Customer service principles and procedures


• The various state retirement system policies and procedures, and their differences


• Principles and procedures of financial record keeping and reporting


• Operation of standard office equipment and a personal computer and job-related software applications for word processing, spreadsheets, and other required applications

Ability To

• Plan and manage time effectively to meet payroll processing timelines


• Work independently in all aspects of computerized payroll processing, retroactive calculations and payments, online checks for routine corrections, and preparation of payroll reports


• Mathematically calculate payroll, employee time, retroactive payments, tax liability, deductions as necessary


• Analyze financial data, reconcile accounts, and prepare reports


• Work independently in all aspects of computerized payroll processing, retroactive calculations and payments, online checks for routine corrections, and preparation of payroll reports


• Maintain records efficiently and accurately and prepare clear and concise reports


• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing


• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other City employees.

Success Factor Classification Level - Foundational

To view the success factor definitions please click here. (If needed, click here to download PDF reader).

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

Office setting

Benefit information is outlined here:

https://www.glendaleaz.gov/Your-Government/Connect/Departments/Human-Resources-Risk-Management/Benefits

This position requires a minimum of two years of college course work in business, accounting or related field plus one year of experience in payroll processing. Do you meet that requirement?

Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. One year of relevant experience may be substituted for each year of required education.

This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.