Position Summary

Reporting to the Payroll Director, the Associate Director is responsible for the management of payroll accounting functions including general ledger reconciliation of payroll liability accounts, collaboration with HR and other departments to review business processes and research variances, proper and timely remittance of federal, state and local taxes withholdings and reporting and union dues and timely tracking and resolution of suspense postings.  The role will involve mentoring, training, and guiding a team of three individuals to accomplish the responsibilities of the team.

Responsibilities

• Support, train and build a strong team to support payroll accounting responsibilities including monthly account reconciliations of all payroll ledger accounts.
• Manages, reviews and approves the monthly reconciliation of all payroll related ledger accounts and quarterly reconciliation of payroll subledger with the general ledger.
• Timely and compliant state and federal tax reporting to various government agencies and vendors including timely reconciliation filing and tracking of quarterly Form 941s.
• Timely and compliant union dues reporting and payment processing.
• Develops and maintains University payroll policies and procedures for payroll accounting.
• Assists the Payroll Director in identifying opportunities for process improvement and participates in the design and implementation of enhancements.
• Manages the development of payroll accounting training materials and provides on-going guidance to school and department administrators.
• Ensures a high level of employee service is provided.
• Closely works  with ADP and other benefit providers and vendors who provide key payroll services.
• Partners with departments to monitor all department payroll suspense accounts and facilitates communication with various University departments to clear these items on a monthly basis.
• Provides effective resolution to advanced services requested through the University’s inquiry management tool, Service Now. 
• Collaborates with HR and General Ledger accounting and Financial reporting teams to follow up on accounting transactions and research variances.
• Provides technical payroll accounting advice as required to support business processes and departments.
• Prepares support for University financial audits and manages and coordinates all audits, including external union audits.
• collaborates with Pensions, Tax, Benefits and HR teams, completing research as required.
• Performs other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field required.
• Minimum of five years’ experience related to general ledger accounting and payroll financial operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least six years related experience strongly preferred.
• Experience in a large, complex environment is a plus.

Other Requirements

• Demonstrated experience required working with large payrolls (15,000+ employees) or similar scale financial processes, with PeopleSoft (or similar ERP).

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) essential, along with a demonstrated ability to prepare reports, summaries and analyses and present findings and recommendations.

• Must be detail-oriented with strong organizational and problem solving skills, and have the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously, working with diplomacy and efficiency in a high-pressured, short-deadline environment.

• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, superior management skills, active listening skills, plus the ability to work closely and effectively with a diverse group of University administrators, characterized by strong consensus building and relationship building skills, essential.

• Must be able to collaborate with various constituents of the university and represent Payroll leadership in various settings. . In addition, the successful candidate must be able to work well with all levels of management, both internally and externally, be flexible in nature, have sound judgment with an open and collaborative style of leadership that encourages teamwork and cooperation beyond the immediate team to the broader organization, and a strong role model, manager and coach.

• Must have a passion for excellent customer service and commitment to exceptional quality.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.