Manager - Payroll

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under the general direction of the Assistant Director of Human Resources to direct the administration of all payroll functions for 1,300+ City employees.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

This position supervises payroll staff.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Provides direction, oversight, and assumes primary responsibility for accurate preparation and compliance of the City payroll process including verifying hours and transactions, pay codes, payroll tax deductions, retirement deductions, supplemental wages, taxable wages, group-term life insurance deductions, and error reports.

Establish and maintain cooperate working relationships with Finance, Human Resources, and Benefits to facilitate the accurate and timely processing of payroll.

Provides leadership and direct supervision/oversight to all payroll staff, including technical training, mentoring, and development.  Ensures all work and calculations performed by the staff are accurate, thorough, timely, and in compliance with City policies and respective state and federal laws.  Ensures FLSA compliance.

Improve Payroll processes.

Process third-party payments with their supporting documents.

Balance the payroll register and payroll taxes each pay cycle while managing and maintaining the City’s timekeeping and Payroll system (Ceridian Dayforce).

Monitor and ensure that all employee inquiries are promptly and appropriately resolved.

Develops internal auditing procedures, ensures data integrity by using complex balancing and quality control measures to review data for accuracy, content, and proper system utilization.

Prepares Police and Fire Department association reports.

Oversee all aspects of payroll management including routine payroll processing, preparation of all payroll related reports including governmental and regulatory filings.

Prepares quarterly statistical reports, federal compliance, and other similar reports.

Required to run test payrolls for year-end balance purposes, change/addition of benefit plans, pay increases, federal tax changes, new pay codes, new deduction codes, payroll, and timekeeping system upgrades, and associated software patches.

Assists in the administration of various benefit plans including vacation leave, sick leave, holiday leave, military leave, and deferred compensation plans.

Provides City-wide training and communication, information, and responds to inquiries from employees, supervisors, managers, and directors City-wide. 

Conducts wage verifications, child support orders, wage garnishments, student loans, cell phone stipends, donations, military leave; leave plan adjustments, and historical edits.

Analyze payroll processes and controls, identify efficiencies, drive changes and manage priorities.

Performs special assignments/projects.

Scale payroll processes with a focus on process improvements and system optimization (Ceridian Dayforce).

Maintains all forms and documents relating to payroll administration and internal audits.

Maintains all records of destruction documentation for payroll-related items.

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES

Perform other job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of: 

Payroll laws and payroll processing including relevant regulatory requirements and complex employee benefit programs impacting payroll.

Payroll and benefit-related technical interpretation and written communication.

Applicable Federal and State wage, hour laws and taxation.

Database management.

Payroll tax calculations.

Proficiency using Ceridian Dayforce or similar timekeeping system and payroll software systems.

Proficiency in using a variety of computer software applications, specifically Google Suite along with a strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel with the ability to utilize Excel functions to increase efficiency, Microsoft Word, and various operating systems, and HRIS software systems.

Strong organizational, problem solving and analytical skills.

Skill to:     

Be a relationship builder with powerful communication and organization skills.

Proofread documents with exceptional attention to detail in composing and typing documents and reports.

Problem solves using analysis and critical thinking to resolve issues.

Strong Excel, mathematical skills and general tech savviness.

Optimally identify, develop and manage team members to attain team/individual goals.

Ability to:  

Organize activities to effectively establish priorities and meet deadlines. Multi-task and prioritize several projects simultaneously, including planning, evaluating, and following up on HR payroll functions.

Professionally communicate both orally and in writing. Maintain a high level of confidentiality.

Plan, implement, follow-up, and evaluate payroll and benefit-related projects.

Handle multiple tasks, set priorities and meet deadlines in a high-volume, fast-paced environment. 

Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.

Lead and manage a team in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Experience and Training Guidelines:

Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying.  Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:

Experience:          

Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in payroll, accounting, business, human resources and/or a related field is preferred.

Direct experience in processing payroll for a large employer is required. 

Education/Training:

A bachelor’s degree in accounting, business or a related field is required.

License or Certificate:     

A Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification designation or other relevant certification within one (1) year of employment is required.

Special Requirements:

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

Ability to work in a standard office environment.

With or without accommodation, ability to occasionally lift up to 35 pounds.

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