Payroll Technician

City of High Point; High Point (NC); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of High Point is seeking a Payroll Technician to ensure accurate payroll operations. This role involves maintaining timekeeping systems, processing reimbursements, and preparing compliance reports. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills and a commitment to public service.

Benefits

Guaranteed monthly pension

401K and 457B Retirement Plans

PTO earned within first year

12 Paid Holidays per year

Tuition Reimbursement Plan

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of accounting theory, principles, methods, and practices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel and Word.
• Valid North Carolina Driver’s License required.

Responsibilities

• Administers the City’s timekeeping software system and maintains personnel files.
• Verifies travel reimbursement requests and prepares state and federal reports.
• Supports audits by preparing required financial reports.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Attention to Detail

Communication

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Education

Two-year certificate from an accredited community college in accounting or business administration

Job description

WHO WE ARE

At the City of High Point, we celebrate the creator in everyone. Building on our rich cultural history steeped in industrialism and innovation, our employees seek not only to transform themselves, but the world around us. We are collaborators, we are makers, we are visionaries.

We invite you to explore the many opportunities to serve our community, by sharing your talents, skills, and expertise. You’ll be joining adynamic team of over 1,300 individuals dedicated not just to making a career, but a difference; because what we create in High Point, changes the world!

OUR CORE VALUES

• Integrity:Saying what we mean and consistently doing what we say with no desire other than the good of the citizens we serve. It means standing up for beliefs.
• Responsibility:A continual process that emphasizes a high level of personal accountability by each member of the organization.
• Partnership:Adding competitive value and quality to the services provided to our residents, businesses, and visitors through responsible fiscal stewardship, increased innovation, greater use of technology, and expanded civic, neighborhood and regional partnerships.

WHAT WE OFFER

The City of High Point offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include but are not limited to:

• A guaranteed monthly pension upon retirement, vested after 5 years of service
• Competitive medical, dental, and vision plans effective day one
• 401K and 457B Retirement Plans
• PTO earned within first year
• 12 Paid Holidays per year
• Tuition Reimbursement Plan

YOUR PURPOSE

Join our dynamic Finance team as aPayroll Technician, where you'll play a key role in ensuring accurate and timely payroll operations for the City. In this detail-oriented and rewarding position, you'll maintain and administer our timekeeping and payroll systems, verify and process travel reimbursements, prepare financial and compliance reports, and support both internal staff and external auditors. You’ll work closely with departments across the organization, safeguarding sensitive information while ensuring compliance with state, federal, and local regulations. If you're a motivated professional with strong analytical skills, a passion for accuracy, and a commitment to public service, we invite you to help us support the City’s workforce through reliable and efficient payroll operations!

Application Deadline: If interested, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. This position may close earlier than the stated deadline due to high applicant volume.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Administers the City’s timekeeping software system, including system maintenance, time record adjustments and verification, and data transfer to the financial system.

• Maintains personnel files, confidential records, and state/federal correspondence and reports.

• Analyzes and compiles statistical and accounting data; prepares periodic state and federal reports.

• Verifies and reviews travel reimbursement requests; balances travel advances prior to Accounts Payable and Payroll processing; prepares related journal entries.

• Assists departments and employees with timekeeping and payroll matters.

• Supports internal and external auditors by preparing required reports.

• Serves as backup for bi-weekly, monthly, and special payroll processing.

• Assists with W-2 form preparation and distribution.

• Ensures payroll compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

• Prepares and analyzes routine accounting journal entries.

• Cross-trains and provides backup support for other departmental functions.

• Performs related tasks as needed.

• Contributes to the development and achievement of department and division goals and objectives.

• Ensures compliance with OSHA and City Safety Standards and Policies in all work performed.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Requires formal education in basic arithmetic, statistics, typing, and filing

• Two-year certificate from an accredited community college in accounting or business administration, or equivalent paraprofessional experience in a business environment.

• Must have thorough knowledge of accounting theory, principles, methods, and practices; relevant laws, ordinances, and regulations governing municipal finance; and modern office methods, practices, and equipment.

• Must be able to prepare complex financial reports, records, and payroll with a high degree of accuracy; analyze and evaluate financial systems; express technical ideas effectively both orally and in writing; and establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel and Word.

• Valid North Carolina Driver’s License required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in governmental accounting, including a strong understanding of accounting theory, principles, and practices.

• Payroll experience.

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

• Experience with Workday ERP

Physical Requirements

Hearing/Speaking:
Ability to express or exchange information verbally and perceive sounds by ear. Must be able to communicate effectively with City officials, employees, independent auditors, and others in person and by telephone.

Visual Abilities:
Essential for reading documents and performing detailed work.

• Far Acuity: Clarity of vision at 20 feet or more (Both eyes 20/25 – Right 20/30 – Left 20/30 corrected).

• Near Acuity: Clarity at 20 inches or less (Both eyes 20/25 corrected).

• Depth Perception: Ability to judge distances and spatial relationships.

• Field of Vision: Ability to see a wide area while focusing on a single point.

• Accommodation: Ability to quickly adjust focus between distances.

Physical Strength and Activity:

• Sedentary Work:

  • Exerts up to 10 pounds of force occasionally.

  • Negligible force frequently or constantly to move items.

  • Involves some walking or standing.

• Physical Actions:

  • Reaching: Extending arms or hands in any direction.

  • Handling: Grasping, holding, or working with hands.

  • Fingering: Using fingers to type or perform detailed tasks.

Mental Requirements

Reasoning:
Must apply logical thinking to tasks and requests from departments, supervisors, employees, and auditors. Ability to assess situations and make sound decisions quickly is essential.

Mathematical Ability:
Ability to use arithmetic and statistics to prepare reports, tests, and analyses.

Language Skills:
Must be able to speak, read, and write in English.

Environmental Conditions

Work Environment:
Work is performed indoors with protection from weather but not necessarily from temperature changes.

Hazards:
No significant environmental hazards associated with this role.

Tools and Equipment Used:
Includes computer, calculator, telephone, printer/fax/copier, stapler, files, ledgers, audit materials, financial statements, ordinances, manuals, publications, revenue and expenditure projections, evaluations, records, correspondence, statutes, and general office supplies.

OUR COMMITMENTS

The City of High Point is dedicated to fostering a work environment that values individuals from all backgrounds and seeks to attract and retain the most qualified partners in service to the citizens of High Point. As an at-will employer, the City allows employees to terminate their employment, or be terminated at any time, with or without cause, as long as it is not prohibited by law.

The City of High Point is committed to classifying and compensating its employees fairly for the work they do, weighing both the internal capabilities and the external market. While the job description is not intended to and does not create a contract of employment, we are excited to use this “living document” as a guide for managing performance and positions to ensure job descriptions are reflective of the current work required by the incumbent or expected by any candidate to whom an offer of employment is extended.

The City of High Point is committed to providing a safe, comfortable working environment for all employees. To that end, we are proud to comply with all Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, as well as make reasonable accommodations to candidates and employees as we are able in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Candidates selected for employment must undergo (a.) a drug screening, in accordance with the City’s drug and alcohol policy and (b.) a background screening to determine whether there is any current, pending, or previous charge, conviction or other infraction deemed incompatible with service in the capacity for which the candidate is being hired. Certain positions are considered so critical to the health and safety of others that a candidate cannot be placed in any of those positions without passing a pre-placement physical exam. Successful results from these conditions will result in an offer of employment.