Payroll Associate

Overview

This role supports payroll operations through the processing, validation, and auditing of payroll-related transactions. Responsibilities include performing assigned payroll audits, reconciling payroll information, handling payroll inputs, resolving issues, and supporting employees to help ensure accurate payroll processing. The position works with Payroll, Human Resources, Benefits, Time and Absence, and other university departments to maintain payroll integrity and follow established payroll controls, procedures, and university policies. The role reports to the Payroll Operations Manager.

Responsibilities

Payroll Processing and Administration

• Process payroll-related transactions, including employee pay adjustments, leave-related earnings, terminations, deductions, wage garnishment transactions, and other payroll inputs.
• Review payroll transactions for completeness and accuracy before and during payroll processing.
• Resolve payroll issues, discrepancies, and employee inquiries.
• Support payroll processing activities throughout preliminary, final, and post-payroll processing in Workday and related payroll systems.
• Maintain payroll records and support documentation in accordance with departmental procedures.

Payroll Audits and Reconciliations

• Perform assigned payroll audits and reconciliation activities related to employee status changes, leaves of absence, terminations, earnings, deductions, and other payroll transactions.
• Maintain supporting reconciliation documentation, review payroll results, and research variances or discrepancies impacting employee pay.
• Escalate unresolved issues or discrepancies to payroll leadership.

Compliance and Controls

• Support established payroll controls and compliance activities.
• Perform assigned payroll validation activities involving earnings, deductions, employee data, and payroll transactions.
• Follow university policies, departmental procedures, and established payroll controls.
• Participate in audit preparation and documentation requests.

Continuous Improvement and Collaboration

• Participate in payroll testing, implementation activities, and process improvements.
• Identify operational efficiencies and recommend process enhancements.
• Maintain documentation for assigned payroll processes, audits, and reconciliations; contribute to departmental procedures.
• Maintain current knowledge of payroll practices, systems, and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with Human Resources, Benefits, Time and Absence, and other partners to resolve payroll matters.
• Attendance, punctuality, and reliability are essential functions of this role.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• Two+ years of payroll experience.
• Bachelor's degree. Equivalent years of experience in lieu of degree acceptable.
• Understanding of payroll concepts, systems, and established controls.
• Ability to audit detailed payroll information.
• Ability to work with detailed data and basic spreadsheet functionality.
• Communicate payroll information.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation

• Hourly pay range: $23.93 - $38.27
• Actual offer will be based on skills, qualifications, experience and internal equity, in addition to relevant business considerations.
• Target hiring range: $26.43 - $35.76

Benefits (Full-time)

• High-quality, low-deductible medical insurance
• Low to no-cost dental and vision plans
• 5 weeks of paid time off (plus almost a dozen paid holidays)
• Employer-funded retirement
• Free tuition program
• Parental leave
• Mental health and wellbeing resources

Location

Remote work is available in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Remote employees must have access to a reliable internet connection and a dedicated, properly equipped workspace free of distractions. Employees must reside in, and work from, one of the approved states listed above.