Senior Payroll Accountant

Fordham; New York (NY); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Fordham University in New York is seeking a Senior Payroll Accountant to support the Payroll Manager with research, analysis, and reporting. The role also has a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Associate Controller for 403B audit work and various projects.

The position emphasizes reviewing payroll processes, ensuring accuracy, and collaborating with IT for system improvements while handling employee inquiries and payroll-related issues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance or accounting.
• Minimum 2 years of accounting/HR/payroll experience.
• Advanced Excel and BI reporting skills.
• Excellent communication and time management.

Responsibilities

• Review payroll processes and back up biweekly payroll.
• Create, review, and reconcile payroll reports.
• Analyze tax data for NRA and Grad Student tax situations.
• Assist with 403B audit, payroll bank reconciliation, and year-end activities.
• Respond to payroll inquiries and resolve discrepancies.
• Collaborate with IT for upgrades and process improvements.

Skills

Advanced Excel

BI Reporting

Analytical thinking

Time management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, finance or accounting

Tools

Banner ERP

Job description

Founded in 1841, Fordham is the Jesuit University of New York, offering an exceptional education distinguished by the Jesuit tradition to more than 16,000 students in its nine colleges and schools. It has residential campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan, a campus in West Harrison, N.Y., the Louis Calder Center Biological Field Station in Armonk, N.Y., and the London Centre in the United Kingdom.
The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement plans; life insurance; short and long-term disability; employee assistance program ( EAP ); tuition remission; and generous time off.
Successful candidates should have a knowledge of and commitment to the goals of Jesuit Education.

Reporting to the Assistant Payroll Manager, the Senior Payroll Accountant will support the Manager in research, analysis, and reporting activities. The role also has a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Associate Controller for 403B audit work and various projects.

Essential Functions

Reviews payroll processes, creates efficiencies, and backs up the processing of biweekly payroll.
Creates, reviews, and reconciles payroll reports to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Analyzes tax data to assist in business decisions on processes, including Grad Student and NRA tax situations. Bridges gap between NRA process and payroll services.
Reviews, manages, streamlines, and documents payroll processes and implements and communicates changes to upper management.
Assists with 403B audit, payroll bank reconciliation, and year-end payroll activities.
Processes and reconciles manual check requests, stop and reissues, and special payments.
Monitors and follows up on unclaimed property.
Collaborates with IT teams for upgrades, testing, and process improvement.
Oversees responses to payroll-related inquiries from employees and resolves any payroll discrepancies or issues.

Essential Functions Note

Essential Functions Note This list is not intended to be an exhaustive list.
The University may assign additional related duties as necessary.

Management Responsibilities

Management Responsibilities May provide peer-level coordination or subject-matter guidance to colleagues performing similar work and/or student, part-time workers, including helping organize tasks, clarify priorities, or review work for quality or consistency.

Additional Functions

Required Qualifications: Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in business, finance or accounting.
Minimum 2 years of experience in accounting/HR/Payroll.

Required Qualifications: Knowledge and Skills

Advanced Microsoft Excel and BI Reporting Skills.
Strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills.
Initiative to implement changes and curiosity to enhance knowledge and skills.
Ability to effectively manage time, prioritize tasks and work within deadlines.
Ability to build successful relationships with various stakeholders.
Excellent communication skills, including ability to interact effectively with all levels throughout the University.
Organized, self-motivated, and detail-oriented.
Team player, as well as having the ability to work independently and willingness to take on challenges.

Preferred Qualifications

Banner ERP experience.

Minimum Starting Salary

Minimum Starting Salary $75,000

Maximum Starting Salary

Maximum Starting Salary $85,000

Note

Note Salary is commensurate with qualifications, experience, and skills.

Is this a Union position?

Is this a Union position? No

Posting Number

Posting Number A1164P

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

Start Date

Start Date ASAP

Posting Date

Posting Date 11/12/2026

Special Instructions

EEO Statement

Fordham University is committed to excellence and welcomes candidates of all backgrounds.
Fordham University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Physical Activity and Work Environment

Physical Activity

Sitting Nearly Continuously

Repetitive Hand Motion (such as typing)

Repetitive Hand Motion (such as typing) Nearly Continuously

Hearing, Listening, Talking Nearly Continuously

Standing

Standing Nearly Continuously

Walking

Walking Often

Running

Running Not Required

Bending, Stooping, Kneeling, squatting, Crouching, Crawling

Bending, Stooping, Kneeling, squatting, Crouching, Crawling Not Required

Climbing stairs Not Required

Climbing ladders

Climbing ladders Not Required

Reaching overhead

Reaching overhead Not Required

Pulling, pushing

Pulling, pushing Not Required

Shoveling

Shoveling Not Required

Lifting – up to 20 pounds

Lifting – up to 20 pounds Not Required

Lifting – up to 50 pounds

Lifting – up to 50 pounds Not Required

Lifting – over 50 pounds Not Required

Work Environment Office Environment: Employees are protected from weather conditions or contaminants, but not necessarily occasional temperature changes.