Payroll Accountant
Group: City of Klamath Falls
Location: Klamath Falls, OR
Salary Range: $57,996.00 - $80,268.00 Annually
Deadline Information: Position open until filled.
Deadline Date: 03/03/2023
Posted Date: 02/01/2023
Website: http://www.klamathfalls.city
Contact Information for Applicants
Human Resources
HR@klamathfalls.city
541-883-5317
Under the supervision of the Finance and Business Services Director, the Payroll Accountant is an exempt position under FLSA. The Payroll Accountant performs complex technical work involved in the preparation and maintenance of City payroll records and reports, including compiling payroll data from time sheets, coding and balancing payroll system input forms, verifying, and reconciling benefit enrollments and payroll records, processing employee direct deposits and answering payroll related questions for employees and supervisors. An employee at this level is also assigned special projects and other duties of an accounting nature by the Finance and Business Services Director and/or Senior Accountant. Performs related duties as required.
The Payroll Accountant is a non-supervisory position that assists the Finance and Business Services Director in administering the overall operations of the City’s established mission and goals. The incumbent is accountable for the efficient and effective operations of day-to-day payroll and related accounting functions. Advancement to this position requires compliance with the qualifications of the position and a demonstrated ability to process payroll in conjunction with all related processes. This class is distinguished from the next higher classification of Accountant, which participates in and may oversee processing complex accounting transactions and performs backup to other divisional positions with responsibilities in similar functions.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Reviews time sheets for accuracy by using a calculator to add time worked, holiday pay, overtime and shift differential.
Compiles, codes, and transcribes such items as leave, vacations, benefit enrollments, benefit changes, withholding changes, voluntary deductions and salary advances using time sheets, code books and PAFs (personnel action forms).
Uses calculations to compute and prepare payroll summary reflecting all changes, additions, deletions, and balances of current payroll. Calculations may be performed using Microsoft Excel or other payroll software to input, calculate, and display payroll information.
Prepares employee authorized direct bank deposits.
Completes payroll related report forms such as federal and state quarterly withholding deposits, PERS, and workers compensation payment transmittals.
Prepares W-2s and reconciles to the federal and state quarterly reports.
Reconciles voluntary deduction checks for items such as AFLAC insurance, United Way, 401(k) and 457 contributions and distributes them to appropriate service providers.
Answers questions regarding payroll for employees and supervisors.
This position processes wage garnishments and prepares miscellaneous summary reports for union dues, credit union adjustments and other miscellaneous deductions. Confirms the accuracy and completeness of enrollment applications for voluntary deductions.
Maintains files of payroll forms, records and printouts.
Performs month-end and year-end close out of computer applications.
Performs annual salary and benefit reconciliations at year-end for the auditors
Performs various work papers in support of the City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), including calculations of compensated absences at year-end and records to the General Ledger.
Participates in the development and enhancement of automated payroll and accounting information systems.
Completes special projects as assigned by the Finance and Business Services Director and/or Senior Accountant
Due to the repetitive nature of the work, this position performs work independently; the employee is responsible for meeting established deadlines throughout the month, quarter or year. The payroll system is incorporated into the City’s accounting system and other supervisors review it for accuracy and internal controls.
Employees in this position follow City accounting policies and procedures, state and federal laws governing tax withholding, retirement, social security and workers compensation, salary administration provisions of union contracts, applicable tax laws, and IRS rulings.
Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.
Qualifications
Knowledge and Skills
The position requires specialized professional-level knowledge of payroll accounting and related financial record keeping. Requires in-depth knowledge of the generally accepted payroll accounting practices and procedures for municipal entities. Requires thorough knowledge of computer-aided relational database systems that apply to payroll accounting applications. Requires knowledge of audit procedures and development of accounting controls. Requires well-developed human relations skills, sufficient to communicate technical concepts to other and provide excellent customer service. Requires skill in writing professional communications and reports. Requires math skills to perform payroll accounting and basic bookkeeping practices. Required knowledge of payroll processes, procedure, payroll law and accounting. Requires skill in using basic office equipment such as calculator, photocopier, scanner fax machine and computer keyboard; ten-key by touch and Microsoft Office Suite. Skill in using accounting/payroll software. Skill and ability to learn vendor and other government software systems.
Abilities
Requires the ability to carry out all aspects of the position. Add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals; compute rate, ratio and percent; read analyze, and interpret, technical journals, financial reports, and related documents; respond to inquiries from the public and members of the business community; write simple correspondence; effectively present information one-on-one or in small group situations to other employees or the organization; apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form; deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
Physical Abilities
Incumbent must be able to work in an office setting engaged in work of a primarily sedentary nature. Requires ambulatory ability to retrieve files and stand at a counter for customer service transactions. Requires sufficient hand-eye-arm coordination to use a keyboard and 10-key, arm/hand movements to retrieve work materials from storage files and operate a variety of general office equipment. Requires visual acuity to read computer screens, printed material, and detailed accounting information. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Requires auditory ability to carry on conversations over the phone and in person. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
Education and Experience
The position requires an Associate’s Degree in Accounting, or equivalent experience performing accounting with a governmental entity; five (5) years of progressive experience working with the public, with demonstrated skills in customer relations; and two (2) years of experience troubleshooting accounting/data processing systems.
Prior payroll experience is desirable.
Licenses and Certificates
Possession of or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire a valid Oregon driver’s license.
Working Conditions
Work is performed indoors with minimal exposure to health and safety hazards.
The City of Klamath Falls is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Klamath Falls will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.