Payroll Specialist

Southeastern Community College; West Burlington (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Southeastern Community College is seeking a Payroll Specialist to manage all payroll functions and maintain payroll records for the college. You will prepare, reconcile, and report payroll data, ensuring compliance with state and federal requirements.

You will work with HR and IT to implement Ellucian updates, handle direct deposits, and assist auditors. A strong background in accounting, payroll processes, and confidentiality is essential.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in accounting or related business preferred; bachelor’s preferred.
• Two years of payroll experience required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, maintain, store, and distribute all payroll records.
• Reconcile and verify accuracy of payroll general ledger accounts.
• Maintain salary, benefit, and tax spreadsheets for payroll balancing and reporting.
• Verify payroll source data for accuracy and enter into Ellucian payroll module. Follow up on data issues.
• Prepare and enter monthly and annual journal entries for payroll.
• Reconcile insurance billing and prepare payment requests.
• Prepare and reconcile payroll reports and returns including IPERS, TIAA-CREF, FICA, Federal Withholding, Unemployment, Iowa and other state tax, and W-2s.
• Enter new employee payroll information.
• Prepare direct deposit and electronic payment files; support fraud prevention.

Skills

Microsoft Office Suite

Google Docs

Ellucian

Payroll best practices

Communication

Prioritization

Deadline management

Decision making

Confidentiality

Problem solving

Compliance

Education

Associate’s degree in accounting or related business

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Google Docs

Ellucian

Job description

The Payroll Specialist will perform all payroll functions and maintain records for the College payroll system.

• Prepare, maintain, store, and distribute all payroll records.
• Reconcile and verify accuracy of payroll general ledger accounts.
• Maintain salary, benefit, and tax spreadsheets for payroll balancing and reconciling to ensure accurate state and federal reporting.
• Verify payroll source data for accuracy and completeness and enter into the Ellucian payroll module. Follow up on incorrect or incomplete data.
• Prepare and enter monthly and annual journal entries for payroll.
• Reconcile insurance billing and prepare request for payment
• Prepare and reconcile all monthly, quarterly, fiscal year, and calendar year payroll reports and returns including IPERS, TIAA-CREF, FICA, Federal Withholding, Unemployment, Iowa and other State tax, and W-2’s.
• Calculate and prepare requests for payment of payroll deduction items
• Enter new employee payroll information.
• Prepare and submit direct deposit and fraud prevention files to bank and other electronic payments as needed.
• Keep current on payroll related laws and regulations.
• Assist Business Office customers during registration and other times as needed.
• Work closely with Human Resources department on payroll and employment contract issues.
• Work with IT to accomplish changes related to transmittal of electronic data
• Assist employees with inquiries about payroll and benefit deductions.
• Assist external auditors
• Lead team in implementing Ellucian updates and changes to payroll software
• Other duties as assigned.

• Associate’s degree required, with emphasis in accounting or related business preferred. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of two years related payroll experience required.
• Experience in an education setting preferred.

• Familiarity and/or proficiency with multiple technologies including the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, Power Point), Google (documents, sheets), and Ellucian experience preferred.
• Knowledge of payroll best practices.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both oral and written.
• Ability to think logically, prioritize, and accomplish tasks in an accurate and timely manner.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple deadlines.
• Ability to make decisions and work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to interpret and follow directions and guidelines required for compliance with federal, state and institutional rules and regulations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to recognize and analyze problems and to implement corrections.
• Ability to meet report deadlines as required by federal, state and local agencies.

Availability to work on a basis of “available as work demands” rather than a fixed schedule is required and may include evenings and weekends.

The Payroll Specialist will abide by the employment contract and relevant policies and guidelines of the Board of Trustees.