Payroll Accountant

Department: Finance

Location: Juneau/Remote

Exemption Status: Exempt

Pay Grade(s): 11-13 ($72,111.00 - $87,243.00 + DOE)

Purpose: The Payroll Accountant is a professional who facilitates payroll administration and ensures accuracy concerning the employees’ salaries and related withholdings, complete periodic payroll reports, reconcile payroll liability accounts, prepare payroll journals, and maintain employee records.  Incumbent will document procedures for desk manual to be used by Tlingit & Haida.  

Essential Functions. An individual in this role must be able to perform the following functions with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Process, calculate, review, and audit payroll transactions, including new hires, compensation changes, deductions, leave, separations, retirements, garnishments, and other payroll-related transactions.

• Review payroll documentation for accuracy, appropriate authorization, financial coding, and supporting documentation.

• Review payroll prior to final processing and identify and resolve discrepancies, errors, or incomplete information.

• Ensure payroll transactions and expenditures are recorded accurately and in the appropriate accounting period.

• Prepare payroll-related journal entries and reconcile payroll, benefits, tax, and other payroll liability accounts in the general ledger.

• Monitor and reconcile federal and state payroll taxes, employee withholdings, garnishments, and other payroll-related obligations.

• Support preparation, reconciliation, and review of quarterly and annual payroll tax filings and wage reports in accordance with applicable requirements.

• Reconcile year-end payroll information and support preparation and distribution of W-2s and other required payroll reporting.

• Prepare payroll reports, reconciliations, schedules, and analyses for management, Finance, Human Resources, auditors, and regulatory agencies.

• Maintain accurate employee payroll information, deductions, and other payroll-related data within the HRIS.

• Review and reconcile payroll information used for workers' compensation reporting and other required audits or reports.

• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies and reporting issues, including coordination with federal and state agencies and third-party service providers as necessary.

• Assist with external and internal audits by preparing schedules, documentation, reconciliations, and requested payroll samples.

• Provide employees, supervisors, and departments with guidance regarding payroll procedures, timesheets, leave reporting, employee self-service, and other payroll-related processes.

• Provide training and technical assistance related to electronic timesheets, leave requests, payroll processes, and applicable HRIS functions.

• Interpret and communicate payroll-related policies, procedures, regulations, and system requirements.

• Evaluate payroll accounting processes and internal controls and recommend improvements to increase accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.

• Develop, document, and maintain payroll procedures, workflows, and desk manuals to support continuity of payroll operations.

• Maintain complete, accurate, organized, and confidential payroll records in accordance with applicable record-retention requirements.

• Coordinate with Human Resources, Finance, benefit providers, and other internal and external partners to resolve payroll-related matters.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities. A comprehensive set of capabilities required to perform job tasks effectively:

• Knowledge of payroll processing, payroll accounting, reconciliations, general ledger practices, payroll taxation, deductions, garnishments, and related reporting requirements.

• Knowledge of applicable federal and state wage, tax, payroll, and recordkeeping requirements.

• Ability to process and reconcile complex payroll transactions accurately and within established deadlines.

• Ability to analyze payroll and accounting data, identify discrepancies, research causes, and implement appropriate corrections.

• Ability to prepare journal entries, account reconciliations, reports, schedules, and supporting documentation.

• Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and payroll requirements.

• Proficiency with integrated HRIS/payroll systems, Microsoft 365, spreadsheets, and electronic business applications.

• Ability to maintain accurate, complete, and confidential employee and payroll records.

• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and commitment to accuracy.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet recurring payroll and reporting deadlines.

• Ability to communicate technical payroll information clearly to employees, supervisors, managers, and other stakeholders.

• Ability to provide training, technical guidance, and support to employees and staff.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels of the organization and external partners.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Minimum Qualifications (education, experience, skills):

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Accounting, or related field.

• Three years’ experience in payroll with an automated accounting system.

• Relevant education, training, and progressively responsible experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications on a year-for-year basis, when appropriate, provided the individual possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the assigned payroll responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications (education, experience, skills):

• Experience processing payroll in a complex or multi-department organization.

• Experience with integrated HRIS/payroll and financial accounting systems.

• Experience performing payroll reconciliations, preparing journal entries, and supporting general ledger accounting.

• Experience with federal and state payroll tax reporting, garnishments, year-end payroll processing, and W-2 reconciliation.

• Experience providing payroll or HRIS training and technical assistance.

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC), or similar payroll/accounting certification.

Physical Requirements. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation:

• The majority of work is performed in a professional office setting and is generally sedentary, requiring routine walking, standing, bending, and carrying of items weighing less than 40 lbs.

Work Environment. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job:

• Some travel may be required on small aircraft or ferry.  

• Certain positions at Tlingit and Haida may have exposure to certain hazardous materials or conditions.  The supervisor will review these if applicable.