Payroll Accountant

*General Statement of Duties* Performs technical and accounting work in maintaining the fiscal records and systems of the City-County primarily within the Payroll Department including the preparation and processes of the City-County payroll and accounting activities.
This position is responsible for assisting with recordkeeping responsibilities for all payroll documents including processing payroll, retro payments, processing of accounting transactions related to payroll, wage garnishments, benefit and voluntary deductions and tax reports.
This position is responsible for assuring accuracy and compliance with union contracts, local and government policies, and federal and state regulations as it relates to payroll activities.
The position is also responsible for assisting with the completion and filing of monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll reports and reconciliation, preparation, and filing of W-2s.
Assists with budgeting, accounting activities related to payroll, and general ledger account reconciliations; does related work as required.
*Distinguishing Features of the Class* This position is responsible for technical accounting work involving processing, reviewing, and maintaining payroll accounts and records.
The work is performed under the general supervision of the Payroll & Accounting Manager, but considerable leeway is granted for the exercise of independent initiative and judgement.
The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain close cooperative working relationships with Payroll & Accounting Manager, Human Resource Department, department heads, employees, and other accounting personnel in the City-County.
*Duties/Responsibilities:* *Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)* * Assists with administering the City-County payroll process; * Verifies validity and accuracy of payroll timesheets; * Prepares related accounting journal entries and assists with the reconciliation of accounts; * Prepares payroll related annual reports and assists with payroll section of the City-County annual financial report and annual budget; * Assists the Finance & Budget Department with establishing personnel budgets and assists with monitoring personnel budgets throughout the fiscal year; * Prepares projections and reports for union negotiations; * Ensures payroll time sheets comply with company and union policies; * Oversees the time sheet data entry into payroll database; * Prepares payroll registers and reviews for accuracy; * Prepares final payroll, paychecks, and reports; * Prepares direct deposit as required; * Makes payments for benefits, payroll deductions, and wage garnishments; * Fiscal administration of benefit plans for various Collective Bargaining Agreements; * Maintains audit ready employee time record files and payroll records; * Maintains tax withholding calculation procedures; * Updates control spreadsheets with latest payroll information; * Prepares checks for payroll taxes and benefit payments; * Calculates retroactive pay as needed; * Confers with and answers payroll processing questions from City-County employees; * Assists with preparing quarterly and year-end reports and W2's; * Projects payroll expenses for budget estimates; * Reviews and verifies the accuracy of transactions and accounting classifications assigned to various records; * Responsible for recommending or assisting with implementation of new systems and processes; * Complies with department policies and procedures; * Prepares periodic reports and related correspondence, collecting and summarizing information, and establishing and maintaining follow-up systems as required; * Assists with preparing information for various audits and prepares audit response when necessary; * Attends meetings, conferences, and workshops as requested and authorized; * Performs related work as required; * Performs all duties and work assignments in a safe, healthy, and environmentally sound manner.
Specifically, complies with the Health & Safety Program; maintains work area in a safe and orderly manner; identifies and reports unsafe conditions; reports all accidents; wears required personal protective equipment; and attends safety-related meetings, training sessions, fit testing, etc.
* Performs all duties and work assignments in compliance with project quality requirements.
* Acts responsibly and ethically, and in conformance with generally accepted business, occupational, and professional standards.
* Performs other duties as assigned.
*Qualifications:* *Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities* * Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of payroll accounting and budgeting in government; * Good knowledge of financial office procedures and practices; * Good knowledge of GAAP and GASB standards * Good knowledge of City-County department practices and procedures; * Good knowledge of business arithmetic and statistical preparation and presentation methods and procedures; * Good knowledge of office terminology, procedures, and equipment; * Ability to interpret accounting reports and records and to analyze accounting data for control and reporting purposes; * Ability to make decisions in accordance with established policies and procedures; * Ability to independently solve problems within assigned areas of responsibility; * Ability to handle confidential employee and administrative information with tact and discretion; * Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other City-County employees, department heads, and other supervisory personnel; * Ability to communicate well with supervisor and other members of the Budget Department, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language; * Ability to prepare accurate and reliable accounting reports containing findings and recommendations; * Ability to operate standard word processing, spreadsheet, database, or other system applications appropriate to assigned duties; * Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions; * Ability to perform a variety of clerical tasks with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines; * Ability to quickly learn and use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology; * Ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.
* Tact, patience, and courtesy.
*Acceptable Experience and Training* * An associate degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field is required; Bachelor’s degree in in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or related filed is preferred.
* Considerable experience in government payroll accounting; or * Any equivalent combination of experience or training which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work.
*Required Special Qualifications* * Must possess a current Montana Driver’s license or have the ability to obtain one within a reasonable period of time after employment.
* Must be a resident of Butte-Silver Bow during employment according to Butte-Silver Bow Ordinance: “2.
08.
010 Residence during employment.
From and after October 1, 1979, all employees of the local government of Butte-Silver Bow shall be bona fide residents within the boundaries of Butte-Silver Bow during the period of their employment by the government of Butte-Silver Bow.
(Ord.
85 § 1, 1979)” *Essential Physical Abilities* * Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate well with department heads, and other City-County employees; * Sufficient vision, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to produce and review a wide variety of written reports and other materials in both hardcopy and electronic form; * Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate a computer keyboard, a numeric keyboard, and process financial materials; * Sufficient personal mobility, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to file and retrieve relevant documents.
The City-County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical disability, or veteran status.
This job description is a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities.
Tasks and duties of the employee may differ from those outlined above.
Job Type: Full-time Pay: $50,000.
00 - $58,000.
00 per year Benefits: * 401(k) * 401(k) matching * Dental insurance * Employee assistance program * Flexible spending account * Health insurance * Health savings account * Life insurance * Paid sick time * Paid time off * Retirement plan * Vision insurance Experience level: * 1 year * 2 years Physical setting: * Office Schedule: * 8 hour shift * Monday to Friday Work Location: In person