Payroll Specialist - Office of Fiscal Services

Cherry Creek School District

Full-time

Educational Services

About the position

The Payroll Specialist position within the Office of Fiscal Services at Cherry Creek School District is a full-time role responsible for the preparation and distribution of monthly payroll. This includes the computation of withholdings, remitting of taxes, deductions, and reductions. The Payroll Specialist will also provide counsel to employees on all payroll-related issues, ensuring that all inquiries are handled with discretion and professionalism. The role requires a strong partnership with Human Resources, Benefits, and Employee Relations to make necessary adjustments and ensure accurate payroll processing. Daily responsibilities include preparing, controlling, and analyzing data for payroll processing, responding to payroll-related inquiries from employees, students, and outside agencies, and assisting employees with their direct deposit information. The Payroll Specialist will maintain accurate documentation within payroll files, including the preparation of W-2s and retirement records, and will process and audit various contributions such as 401K and 403b. Additionally, the role involves compiling and reporting employer and employee deductions to various agencies, assisting in the monthly reconciliation process of the payroll interface with the ERP accounting system, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local requirements. The position also requires the ability to handle a high volume of calls and emails daily, maintain confidentiality, and adapt to shifting priorities. The ideal candidate will possess strong problem-solving and analytical skills, as well as intermediate organizational and communication skills. A criminal background check and fingerprinting are required for hire, ensuring the safety and integrity of the school district's operations.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and distribute monthly payroll including computations, withholdings, and remitting of taxes, deductions, and reductions.
• Counsel employees on all payroll issues.
• Prepare, control, and analyze data for payroll processing.
• Work in partnership with Human Resources, Benefits, and Employee Relations on necessary adjustments.
• Receive and respond to payroll-related inquiries from employees, students, and outside agencies.
• Provide support, training, and resources for district employees regarding payroll concerns.
• Research, analyze, and audit individual payroll records as needed.
• Assist employees in submitting their direct deposit information in the ERP system.
• Respond and provide information for employment verification and Medicaid reporting.
• Maintain accurate documentation within all payroll files, including preparation of W-2's, retirement records, and Medicare.
• Process and audit 401K, 401a, 457, and 403b contributions.
• Process and collect garnishments, levy's and family support orders issued.
• Post and reconcile gross to net report for each payroll run using data from the ERP system.
• Compile, remit, and report employer and employee deductions to various agencies.
• Assist in the coordination and monthly reconciliation process of the payroll interface with the ERP accounting system.
• Process union dues and assist with any changes to deductions.
• Work in partnership with Colorado PERA to ensure 6-month certifications are completed.

Requirements

• High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma.
• Experience in payroll, accounting, accounts payable, purchasing, banking/loan servicing, or human resources.
• Basic knowledge of typical office equipment such as telephones, copiers, fax machines, email, etc.
• Basic knowledge of federal, state, and local tax laws and statutes.
• Basic knowledge of W-2/W-4 process and verification.
• Basic knowledge of payroll operations, processes, and software.
• Basic knowledge of ADP processing in either payroll or tax filings.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office, Word and Excel.
• Intermediate problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Intermediate organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Intermediate verbal and written communication skills.
• Intermediate recordkeeping skills.
• Intermediate interpersonal relations and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with others.
• Ability to use tact and sensitivity in dealing with others at various levels within an organization.
• Ability to adapt to shifting priorities, demands, and timelines.
• Ability to handle a high volume of calls, emails, and ticket requests daily.
• Ability to achieve thoroughness and accuracy when accomplishing a task.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the job.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working with Oracle software.
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Racially conscious and culturally competent with the skill, will, capacity, and knowledge to commit to a culture of continuous improvement.

Benefits

• 401(a)
• 401(k)