Senior Payroll Accountant – Fiscal Services Leader

San Jose Unified School District; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 68,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

San José Unified is seeking an Accountant to perform expert accounting functions under minimum supervision. The role requires preparing, auditing, analyzing, and reconciling payroll-related records and supporting schedules and reports in compliance with laws and district procedures.

You will use computerized payroll and accounting systems to process complex data, coordinate timelines, and provide guidance to staff while maintaining confidentiality and exercising independent judgment in handling

Qualifications

• A four-year or graduate degree in finance, accounting, or business administration and two years of relevant work experience, preferably in a California school district.
• Six or more years of comparable experience and/or education may be substituted.
• Strong computer literacy and the ability to use financial systems and technology effectively.
• Experience working as an accountant in a school district preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, audit, analyze, and reconcile payroll-related financial records, transactions, and reports to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Review and verify payroll data, calculations, adjustments, deductions, and related accounting entries.
• Analyze payroll expenditures, identify discrepancies, investigate variances, and recommend corrective actions.
• Maintain accurate payroll accounting records and support reconciliation of payroll liabilities and general ledger accounts.
• Prepare financial schedules, reports, and analyses in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, accounting standards, and district procedures.
• Utilize computerized payroll, accounting, and financial information systems to process, validate, and analyze complex data.
• Coordinate payroll accounting activities, establish timelines, and ensure critical reporting and processing deadlines are met.
• Collaborate with Payroll, Human Resources, Budget, and other departments to resolve discrepancies and maintain accurate financial information.
• Support internal and external audits by preparing documentation, researching transactions, and responding to financial inquiries.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll accounting procedures, strengthen internal controls, and increase operational efficiency.
• Provide technical guidance and lead support to assigned employees on accounting procedures, systems, and reporting requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise independent judgment when handling sensitive employee payroll and financial information.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Independent judgment

Strong reading/comprehension

Collaborative and organized

Education

Four-year or graduate degree in finance, accounting, or business administration

Tools

Payroll software

Accounting systems

Job description

San José Unified is seeking an Accountant to perform expert accounting functions under minimum supervision. The role requires preparing, auditing, analyzing, and reconciling payroll-related records and supporting schedules and reports in compliance with laws and district procedures.

You will use computerized payroll and accounting systems to process complex data, coordinate timelines, and provide guidance to staff while maintaining confidentiality and exercising independent judgment in handling