SMU-2122777-Payroll Specialist

Job Summary:
Responsible for processing payroll for Samuel Merritt University’s staff, faculty, and student employees in an accurate and timely manner.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Other duties may be assigned.  An asterisk (*) denotes an “essential job function” for ADA purposes.

• (30%) Analyze, calculate, and process payroll data sources in order to enter data accurately from Faculty Instructional Agreements (FIA) and Payroll Change Notifications (PCN) into the master Faculty Salary Report and electronic timecards into the staff/student payroll upload spreadsheet. Ensure that all payroll processing is consistent with policies and procedures and regulations, that the Faculty Salary Report is validated by Academic Affairs, and that both payroll files are uploaded to the payroll processor in accordance with established payroll deadlines in order to produce timely payrolls.    
• (10%) Make pay adjustments such as net pay allocation to checking/savings accounts and benefit deductions.  Setup and monitor deductions for garnishments, levies, and court orders as necessary.    
• (10%) Request manual payroll checks, voids and stop payments from the payroll processor    
• (10%) Prepare and distribute various reports (benefits, earned time off, work study allocation, etc.    
• (10%) Maintain detailed subsidiary ledger for each payroll withholding account.    
• (5%) Maintain payroll files and documentation
• (5%) Assist with implementing and migrating to Workday    
• (2%) Reconcile quarterly payroll returns to payroll registers    
• (2%) Prepare Excel payroll worksheets and payroll journal entries.    
• (2%) Reconcile monthly and year-to-date payroll to the general ledger.  Research and resolves old outstanding payroll checks.    
• (2%) Interact with SMU OPC/HR, Academic Affairs, auditors, and regulatory agencies    
• (2%) Conduct year end reporting for W-2s
• (2%)Monitors and reconciles vacation, sick and floating holiday time accruals    
• (2%) Process California payroll with the ability to also process multi-state payroll in the future    
• (2%) Assist with designing, maintaining, and managing payroll system to ensure compliance at all levels    
• (2%) Provide customer service to employees    
• (1%) Facilitates pay for Leaves of Absences    
• (1%) Perform other duties as assigned    

Skills and Abilities:

• Proficient in data entry, employee database systems, and required software (Outlook, Microsoft Word and Excel)
• Excellent math skills
• Excellent skills in word processing and spreadsheet development
• Detail oriented and accurate
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Performs in a courteous and professional manner at all times
• Ability to speak effectively with co-workers, candidates, faculty and staff
• Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy, as well as a high level of confidentiality
• Overtime will be required during payroll processing cycles.

Education and/or Experience:

• High school diploma required.  Bachelor’s degree highly preferred.
• Previous experience in payroll required
• Preferably previous experience includes research and correction of payroll issues, application of over-time and deduction criteria, reconciliations, and general ledger interface
• Higher Education experience a plus.
• 3-5 years’ experience with multi-state payroll
• Experience with Workday and Paychex
• Strong MS Office skills
• Excellent communication skills
• CPP is a strong plus

Physical Effort Required:

• Ability to perform deskwork, however, must be mobile
• Light lifting occasionally required
• Ability to express and exchange ideas 
• Ability to receive detailed information through communication
• Ability to push, pull climb, stoop, bend, stand and have flexibility of the upper and lower body

The University has an institution-wide commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We strive to build a welcoming and supportive campus environment, and acknowledge that diversity is an educational imperative to achieve excellence.