Payroll Accountant
Opening Date: April 12, 2024
Salary Range: $5,952 - $7,242 per month
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
The City of Walla Walla offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, and dental health insurance. City paid $50,000 Life/Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance plus voluntary Life and Long-Term Disability. Washington State Public Employees Retirement Program (PERS) II/III. City match up to 3.5% of base salary for deferred compensation (457(b)). 3% bilingual Spanish premium. Generous vacation leave, sick leave, and ten (10) paid holidays plus 40 hours floating holidays annually.
NATURE OF POSITION:
As a member of the Finance Department, the Payroll Accountant performs a full range of payroll and accounting related functions, including finance related reconciliations, and reporting and assists in the organization and operation of financial procedures.
REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, or related field, and two (2) years of related experience including experience involving the processing of payroll. Consideration will be given to any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to competently perform the essential duties of the position.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Municipal experience preferred. Bilingual in Spanish.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE:
A completed City application and resume are required to apply. Applications are available on the Human Resources page of the City of Walla Walla website: https://wallawallawa.gov .
Applicants whose experience most closely meets the requirements of the position will be invited to continue in the selection process which will consist of an oral panel interview, reference inquiries, and may include a criminal background check and consumer report. Completed application packages can be mailed, emailed, or faxed to:
CITY OF WALLA WALLA-HR
15 N. Third Avenue
Walla Walla, WA 99362
Email to hr@wallawallawa.gov or faxed to (509) 524-7935.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:
The City of Walla Walla will provide reasonable accommodation to disabled applicants if requested. Please notify the Human Resources office at least 5 days prior to the need.
JOB DESCRIPTIONS:
To obtain a copy of the full job description and class specification for this position, please contact us at: hr@wallawallawa.gov or 509.527.4475.
NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.
THE CITY OF WALLA WALLA COMPLIES WITH TITLE VI, ADA, AND OTHER APPLICABLE FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS AND DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, DISABILITY, RELIGION, VETERAN STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, OR SEX IN EMPLOYMENT OR THE PROVISION OF SERVICES.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER / MINORITIES AND WOMEN ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
General direction and oversight are provided by the Accounting Supervisor.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Employees of the City of Walla Walla are expected to model and foster the City’s core values: Service - Integrity - Collaboration - Equity - Leadership – Community
- Plans, coordinates, and monitors the City's payroll processing functions; assigns and reviews, as well as performs, the processing of employee and retiree pay benefits; oversees the preparation and transmittal of payroll related payments and reports, including but not limited to federal and state quarterly reports; maintains a working knowledge of federal and state statutes relating to payroll, retirement, and other areas applicable to the payroll function and makes recommendations to supervisor on the impacts of such items; reconciles payroll related accounts within the City's financial ledgers.
- Maintains payroll records and employee information within the City's payroll systems; conducts internal audits to ensure the accuracy and credibility of the system; analyzes, develops, and recommends improvements to the payroll system to improve efficiency and accuracy; troubleshoots problems and follows up on their resolution.
- Ensure proper pay rates and individual payroll changes are entered into the payroll system accurately.
- Prepare, process, and calculate a variety of payroll actions including wage garnishments, benefit withholdings, overtime calculations and worker’s compensation leave buyback, 941 Quarterly reports, W-2, and other quarterly reporting.
- Audit timesheets and other payroll records ensuring compliance with City policies, respective collective bargaining agreements and legal requirements; complete employee wage verifications.
- Prepares budget projections related to the City’s personnel cost as requested.
- Partner with Human Resources to provide auditing support, salary and benefit rate calculations and adjustments; implement salary schedules and payroll changes relevant to bargaining agreements.
- Develop and oversee the maintenance of the records management system for all payroll records in compliance with state record retention requirements.
- Perform year-end, Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) entries and assist with the preparation and review of the city’s report.
- Demonstrate tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
- Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships.
- Handle confidential and sensitive matters relating to all aspects of payroll functions.
- Apply critical thinking skills; identify opportunities for improvement; streamline processes for efficient work practices.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Demonstrate punctual, regular, and reliable attendance which is essential for successful job performance.
- Present a positive, professional image; maintain cooperative and effective working relationships; assure excellent customer service with internal and external customers.
- Execute assignments, projects, and job responsibilities efficiently and within defined timeframes; work independently and effectively with little direction.
- Demonstrate good judgment and employ critical thinking to execute duties, identify issues, seek solutions, and recommend improvements in support of departmental goals.
- Provide assistance to staff and higher-level management; participate in resolving operational or interpersonal concerns; participate in training, meetings, and on committees as assigned.
- Respect the value of diversity in the workplace and the community.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- A comprehensive understanding of the payroll process, including all applicable federal, state, and local reporting requirements.
- Knowledge of public sector budgeting practices related to personnel costs.
- Knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws related to public sector employees.
- Must be able to read, understand, interpret, and explain labor contracts, policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and legal requirements to a diverse audience.
- Ability to gather, compile, and analyze information from a variety of sources.
- Research and interpret state and federal regulations related to applicable areas of responsibility.
- Perform mathematical calculations.
- Use spreadsheets, word processors, and financial software.
- High level of interpersonal skills and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations and documentation writing.
- Explain policies and procedures regarding processing and administration, within assigned area(s), to both internal and external customers/audiences.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:
Operate a variety of office equipment including personal computers, programs, telephones, copiers, printers, scanners, and calculators. Utilize standard and customized software including Office and Excel.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Sitting and standing for extended periods of time; seeing, hearing, and speaking to exchange information; repetitive hand movements; intermittently stand, walk, kneel, stoop, bend at the waist and lift up to 20 pounds.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Office environment; subject to distractions from customers.