Senior Payroll Specialist

Company: Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
Location: Scottsdale
Posted on: August 7, 2022

Job Description:

Salary: $61,776.00 - $84,945.00 Annually
Closing: 8/2/2022 11:59 PM Arizona Definition Under general supervision of the Payroll Manager in the Payroll and Per Capita division of the Finance department of the SRPMIC, assumes a leadership role in the accurate and timely payroll and per capita processing and associated accounting tasks on a bi-weekly and quarterly basis. Works within the limits of established accounting procedures and generally acceptable accounting and payroll processes. Ensures accurate maintenance of payroll and per capita related documents and records. Helps establish, enforce and refine payroll standards, policies, practices and procedures to prevent errors. Prepares periodic payroll data reports and organizes payroll records for accurate and timely retrieval. This job class is treated as FLSA Exempt

Distinguishing Features: The Senior Payroll Specialist is distinguished from the Payroll Specialist job class by assuming increased independence and responsibilities involving more complex actions and projects and responsibilities as mentor or coach or interim supervisor to any Payroll or Per Capita staff. The Senior Payroll Specialist must be qualified to act in the Payroll Manager role when needed and provides training and guidance to the Payroll Specialists and Per Capita Accounting Clerks. The Senior Payroll Specialist is expected to demonstrate a higher level of understanding and practical application of all aspects of payroll administration and is responsible for the maintenance of departmental SOPs.

Essential Functions: Essential functions may vary among positions and may include the following tasks and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not intended to be a comprehensive list of tasks performed by all positions in this classification. Examples of Tasks Tasks:
1. Mentoring:

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• Mentors the Payroll Specialist, Payroll Clerk and Per Capita Accounting Clerk staff so they attain the technical and customer service skills along with experience necessary to perform independently and attain further career progression goals.
  
• Helps the Payroll Manager establish, coordinate and monitor the Payroll and Per Capita Division workflow.
  
• Supervises staff when assigned.
  
  2. Payroll Processing:
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  • Maintains a thorough understanding of the full range of the payroll accounting system functionality and associated reporting, including relationship/interface to other systems. Reviews bi-weekly payroll for 1800+ employees that includes the transfer of information from Time and Labor into pay sheets, clearing exceptions, approving reported and payable time, creating direct deposit files and transmitting to the bank, producing and printing checks and creating necessary payroll reports.
    
  • Maintains current employee and new hire information.
    
  • Reviews and maintains deductions and benefits related information.
    
  • Adds, deletes and maintains budget positions and job classification information.
    
  • Analyzes requests to enter Time and Labor information for employees.
    
  • Calculates adjustments to pay and retroactive compensation.
    
    3. Per Capita Processing:
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    • Reviews quarterly per capita pay outs for Community members that includes the transfer of information from Enrollment database records into pay sheets, creating direct deposit files and transmitting to the bank, producing and printing checks and creating necessary payroll reports.
      
    • Maintains current Community member and new enrollment information.
      
    • Reviews and maintains deductions and tax related information.
      
    • Analyzes requests to process refunds, probate payments and stale dated checks.
      
      4. Payroll Reconciliation:
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      • Researches and resolves pay discrepancies by comparing the timesheets to payable time and then to the employees paycheck.
        
      • Works with the departments to process adjustments issued as off cycle checks or to be issued in the next cycle.
        
      • Helps perform payroll liability reconciliation. Reviews payroll journal entries and prepares other journal entries as needed.
        
        5. Compliance:
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        • Verifies co-workers entries for accuracy for federal and/or state taxes, direct deposits, general ledger mapping (coding) and online checks.
          
        • Processes deductions into the payroll system using appropriate effective dates.
          
        • Helps prepare periodic payroll tax statements and ensures timely, accurate filing of payroll tax information.
          
        • Maintains payroll certifications for all grant-funded wages on a quarterly basis.
          
        • Maintains the strictest confidence and confidentiality pertaining to all payroll matters.
          
        • Assists the Payroll Manager in the implementation of routine audits to improve accuracy and compliance.
          
          6. General Ledger:
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          • Assists in creating new general ledger mappings (coding) for positions by running a query, looking up appropriate combination codes and using e-form information from HR to complete.
            
          • Runs payroll reports as requested by departments and divisions.
            
          • Prepares journal entries to transfer/reclassify salaries and fringe benefit expenses.
            
            7. Garnishments, Wage Assignment and Levies: Processes garnishments and other court orders in a timely manner by mail or serving the employees and setting up deductions into the payroll system.
            
            8. Payroll Reports:
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            • Prepares bi-weekly check requests and deduction reports for various types of third-party payments.
              
            • Assists with year-end payroll processing duties including preparation and distribution of W-2 forms.
              
              
              9. Administration:
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              • Attends and provides feedback in meetings, routine or otherwise, as necessary.
                
              • Completes ad hoc projects accurately and timely as assigned by the Payroll Manager, Assistant Finance Director or Finance Director.
                
              • Responds to payroll related questions.
                
              • Researches payroll related questions from SRPMIC employees.
                
              • Responds to and resolves more complex and sensitive issues pertaining to payroll.
                
                10. Miscellaneous: Performs other job duties as assigned by the Payroll Manager, Assistant Finance Director or Finance Director.
                
                Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics:
                
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                • Knowledge of SRPMIC Policies and Procedures, particularly as they relate to Payroll operations.
                  
                • Knowledge of computerized payroll and timekeeping systems including PeopleSoft and the PeopleSoft "Time and Labor" module.
                  
                • Knowledge of standardized payroll policies, practices and procedures.
                  
                • Knowledge of federal guidelines for wage garnishments.
                  
                • Knowledge of Federal and State income tax regulations.
                  
                • Knowledge of MS Windows and MS Office software including MS Word, Excel and Outlook.
                  
                  
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                  • Skill reviewing the work of payroll staff to ensure accuracy and conformity with financial policies and procedures.
                    
                  • Skill creating accurate payroll related statistical reports.
                    
                  • Skill with both verbal and written communication.
                    
                  • Skill performing payroll related mathematical computations.
                    
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                    • Ability to mentor payroll staff.
                      
                    • Ability to make and interpret a variety of financial reports including journal entries.
                      
                    • Ability to make quality recommendations regarding payroll policies, practices and procedures to ensure effective internal control.
                      
                    • Ability to provide excellent customer service.
                      
                    • Ability to analyze and interpret complex data to determine action(s) to be taken, if necessary.
                      
                    • Ability to comprehend and follow complex written and verbal instructions.
                      
                    • Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with all levels within the Community.
                      
                    • Ability to lift and carry 30 lbs.
                      Minimum Qualifications
                      Qualifications:
                      Education and Experience: Bachelors degree in accounting or related field and experience equivalent to 3 years full time professional level payroll work including an automated payroll system OR an Associates degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or closely related discipline plus 5 years full time professional level payroll work including an automated payroll system. Certified Payroll Professional designation preferred, but not required.
                      Equivalency: Any equivalent combination of education and experience that will allow the applicant to satisfactorily perform the duties of the job may be considered.
                      Underfill Eligibility: An enrolled Community Member whom closely qualifies for the minimum qualifications for a position may be considered for employment under SRPMIC Policy 2-19, Underfill
                      Special Requirements May be required to work outside normal work hours including nights, weekends and holidays.
                      
                      Prior to hire as an employee, applicants will be subject to drug and alcohol testing. Will be required to pass a pre-employment background/fingerprint check. Employees are subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
                      
                      SRPMIC is a mandatory covid vaccine employer. All employees are required to be fully vaccinated as a condition of employment.
                      "SRPMIC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer" Preference will be given to a qualified Community Member, then a qualified Native American and then other qualified candidate.
                      
                      In order to obtain consideration for Community member/Native American preference, applicant must submit a copy of Tribal Enrollment card or CIB which indicates enrollment in a Federally Recognized Native American Tribe by one of the following methods:
                      1) attach to application
                      2) fax (480) 362-5860
                      3) mail or hand deliver to Human Resources.
                      
                      Documentation must be received by position closing date.
                      The IHS/BIA Form-4432 is not accepted.
                      Your Tribal ID/CIB must be submitted to HR-Recruitment-Two Waters.

Keywords: Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Scottsdale , Senior Payroll Specialist, Human Resources , Scottsdale, Arizona