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Payroll Staff Accountant

McKendree University, located in Lebanon, IL, invites applicants for the position of Payroll Staff Accountant. This is an on-campus, full-time position and is eligible for competitive compensation and benefit package.

Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Payroll Staff Accountant will be responsible for calculating and filing payroll taxes, preparing financial reports, and maintaining strict compliance with federal and state regulations and university policies.  Apply Generally Accepted Accounting Principles to record financial information, prepare financial statement reports, and conduct financial analyses and audits. Develop and implement internal accounting processes and controls related to payroll general ledgers. Assist other staff with accounting or special projects.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Implement, maintain, and review payroll processing and accounting systems to ensure timely and accurate processing of payroll transactions including salaries, benefits, garnishments, taxes, and other deductions.
  • Process federal and state withholdings, payments, quarterly and annual filings; create tax accounts for new states; test and implement new tax updates.
  • Prepare and assist with reviewing audit reconciliations and documentation as needed for internal and external audits such as financial reports, financial notes, transmittal letters, financial statistical letters, and fraud surveys.
  • Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations related to payroll, including tax withholding, benefits, and payroll deductions.
  • Prepare journal entries related to benefits and scholarships to ensure entries align with generally accepted accounting principles.  
  • Assist with budgeting and reporting requirements to include but not limited to EADA, NCAA, and internal salary and benefit forecasting.
  • Develop and implement processes and procedures to improve payroll efficiency and accuracy.
  • Reconcile payroll accounts and resolve any discrepancies in a timely manner.
  • Prepare and maintain accurate employee data, records and reports of payroll transactions.
  • Communicate with employees regarding payroll-related inquiries and issues.
  • Assist with other accounting and finance functions as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field.
  • At least 1-3 years of accounting experience.
  • Extensive knowledge of payroll functions including preparation, balancing, internal control, and payroll taxes.
  • Ability to interpret and understand payroll accounting principles and practices.
  • Knowledge of federal and state payroll regulations.
  • Ability to demonstrate high skill levels in Excel and other tools for accounting, financial analysis and reporting, and to analyze complex financial and statistical data and determine their significance.
  • Ability to monitor and evaluate fiscal and/or accounting activities and internal controls.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to work accurately in a fast-paced environment.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrators, faculty and staff.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Experience in a higher education institution preferred.
  • Experience with a financial records system is preferred.
  • Experience with Ellucian ERP.

WORK HOURS/CONDITIONS:

Office environment; 40 hours per week.  Standard office hours are 8:00am – 5:00pm; some evening and weekend work may be required.

FLSA Category: Exempt

Salary Range: $45,000.00 - $55,000.00 / Annually

Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions and department budget.

Our benefits guide offers more detailed information and can be found here.

 

Interviews will begin immediately.  Qualified candidates should complete and submit the McKendree Employment Application and send a letter of interest referencing Job #PSA10 with a resume/CV, and contact information for three professional references to the Department of Human Resources at hr@mckendree.edu.  

The mission of McKendree University is to provide a high quality educational experience to outstanding students. We guide our students in the pursuit of academic excellence, which will prepare them for leadership roles in our society. To achieve this end we encourage broader vision, enriched purpose, engagement with community, commitment to responsible citizenship, openness to new ideas and dedication to lifelong learning. In keeping with our history and traditions, we provide our students with a rigorous, broadly based liberal arts curriculum joined with specialization in a specific discipline.

McKendree University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, and other statuses protected by law. This extends to all aspects of the employment relationship, including recruiting, hiring, training, on-the-job treatment, promotion, layoff, and termination.