Payroll Specialist - G121 - Finance

Columbus Georgia Consolidated Government - Columbus, GA

Full-time

Columbus, GA

About the position

The Payroll Specialist position is a critical role within the finance department, responsible for executing technical accounting duties related to payroll functions. This position involves a variety of tasks that ensure the accurate processing and coordination of payroll data. The Payroll Specialist will prepare, process, and coordinate data entry for various payrolls, ensuring that all data related to payroll is meticulously analyzed and verified for accuracy. This includes verifying current pay period documents and addressing any discrepancies that may arise during the payroll process. In addition to processing payroll, the Payroll Specialist will research and analyze payroll-related problems, prepare online replacement checks for employees, and issue stop payment requests as necessary. The role also requires answering customer service calls from employees, providing assistance and resolving inquiries related to payroll. The specialist will prepare information necessary for the payment of taxes and benefits, reconcile current expense and liability totals, and report these totals to determine federal, FICA, and state tax liabilities. Required forms and reports will also be prepared to ensure compliance with relevant regulations. The Payroll Specialist will be responsible for preparing financial and grant reports for distribution to various departments, as well as processing data to transmit files to vendors for payment. This includes preparing journal entries to record remittances to various agencies via wire transfer and ensuring that vendor payments are reconciled and approved from the deduction register. The specialist will also prepare journal entries for wired transactions and ensure that all entries are reconciled and balanced before posting to the general ledger. In the absence of the Payroll Supervisor, the Payroll Specialist will perform their duties, ensuring continuity in payroll operations. The role may also involve other related duties as assigned, contributing to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the payroll function within the department.

Responsibilities

• Prepares, processes, and coordinates data entry for various payrolls.
• Processes and analyzes all data related to payroll; verifies current pay period documents for accuracy.
• Researches and analyzes problems and prepares online replacement checks for employees; issues stop payment requests as necessary; answers customer service calls from employees.
• Prepares information for the payment of taxes and benefits; reconciles current Expense and Liability totals to current Run Control Report; reports totals to determine Federal/FICA and State tax liabilities; prepares required forms and reports.
• Prepares financial reports and grant reports for distribution to various departments.
• Prepares and processes data information to transmit files to vendors for payment; prepares journal entries to record remittance to various agencies by wire transfer.
• Prepares and separates vendor deduction register for payments including court-ordered deductions and miscellaneous employee deductions.
• Reconciles and approves vendor payments from the deduction register; ensures that balance sheets, deduction register, and vendor check match; mails vendor payments to appropriate agencies.
• Prepares journal entries for wired transactions; reconciles and balances before posting to the general ledger.
• Writes Interactive Reports within Advantage 4.0 to assist with payroll balancing.
• Performs the work of the Payroll Supervisor in his or her absence.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or related field is required.
• Experience sufficient to thoroughly understand the work of subordinate positions and to be able to answer questions and resolve problems, usually associated with one to two years experience or service.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public accounting and payroll processes.
• Knowledge of relevant federal and state laws, local ordinances, and department policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of the methods and techniques of financial research, statistical analysis, and report presentation.
• Skill in utilizing financial computer software programs.
• Skill in problem-solving and decision-making.
• Skill in gathering and analyzing complex data.
• Skill in operating standard office equipment.
• Skill in oral and written communication.