Job Summary
The Payroll Technician is responsible for processing bi-weekly payroll for over 950 employees, ensuring accurate calculation, reconciliation, and timely delivery. The role involves entering and validating timesheet and exception data, addressing payroll inquiries, and maintaining compliance with labor laws and organizational policies. This position requires collaboration with various teams and occasional overtime, including holiday work.
Responsibilities
- Enter payroll exception and timesheet data into payroll systems accurately.
- Research, analyze, and correct payroll discrepancies; document all changes.
- Review payroll and supporting documentation for completeness and accuracy.
- Calculate payroll and reconcile with various financial reports.
- Maintain payroll records and follow records retention protocols annually.
- Validate timekeeping calculations to ensure compliance with labor contracts, agency policies, and labor laws.
- Respond to payroll-related inquiries from employees, supervisors, and external organizations.
- Monitor and reconcile payroll deduction reports; prepare payments to third parties and review general ledger balances.
- Analyze and process leave and supplemental pay hours related to FMLA, PFML, STD, LTD, Workers Compensation, and donated sick leave.
- Create adjusting entries and documentation as necessary.
- Collaborate with IT staff to troubleshoot payroll system issues and assist with testing updates and fixes.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Required Skills & Certifications
- Minimum 5 years of payroll processing experience using payroll software systems.
- Associate degree or 2-year technical certificate in accounting or related field may substitute for 1.5 years of experience; bachelor s degree may substitute for 3 years.
- Strong knowledge of general accounting and payroll processing principles.
- Understanding of payroll-related labor laws including FMLA and FLSA.
- Proficiency with automated payroll systems.
- Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel).
- Strong multitasking abilities and capacity to meet strict payroll deadlines.
- Effective written and oral communication skills.
- Proficient typing and 10-key skills.
- Ability to perform accurate mathematical calculations quickly.
- Ability to work extended hours, weekends, holidays, or alternate schedules as needed.
Preferred Skills & Certifications
- Experience with PeopleSoft, Trapeze, and UKG payroll software.
- Experience producing payroll in transit industry, government/public sector, or unionized workforce environments.
- Demonstrated ability to foster an inclusive workplace and promote team collaboration.
Special Considerations
- Must be willing to work extended hours, weekends, and holidays to meet payroll deadlines.
- Work performed primarily in an office environment with occasional exposure to noisy areas.
- May require moving between office buildings and lifting materials up to ten pounds occasionally.
Scheduling
- Bi-weekly payroll processing schedule with potential for overtime.
- Alternate work schedules may be required to meet strict payroll deadlines.
- Holiday work with additional pay eligibility.