Accountant II - Payroll

Salt Lake City School District•Salt Lake, UT

About The Position

The Accountant II - Payroll has full ownership of the district’s payroll cycle and supervises the payroll department. The role develops reporting procedures and internal controls, implements procedures and processes, ensures payroll data accuracy and compliance with district and regulatory requirements, and monitors employee performance to achieve department objectives. This position is a 1.0 FTE role working 40 hours per week on a 242-day calendar. It is classified as exempt and has contract status. The starting wage is $83,450 annually, and the position is eligible for contract benefits. The anticipated start date is December 1, 2026. The role reports to the Director of Finance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of accounting experience, or a master’s degree and 3 years of accounting experience.
Intermediate-level Microsoft Office Suite skills, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.
Ability to speak, read, write, and present professionally; analyze and interpret English written and verbal communications.
Ability to operate standard office equipment, including phones and copy machines.
Selected candidates must be fingerprinted and successfully pass a criminal background check.
Ability, as needed, to roll, push, pull, bend, reach, stoop, and lift up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

CPA certification or CPA candidacy.
Experience applying accounting principles and relevant federal, state, and local tax codes, policies, regulations, and laws.
Experience using electronic payroll software systems to regularly issue pay to 100 or more employees.
Experience using Business Plus.
Experience working in K-12 education or another government entity.
Experience using UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group) for payroll processing.
Experience using Microsoft Access.
Experience supervising two or more staff.

Responsibilities

Process payroll checks and associated withholdings for employees, taxes, garnishments, and vendors; collaborate with Human Resources Services to ensure accurate and timely processing.
Authorize supplemental payroll checks and resolve payroll errors in a timely manner.
Understand contract pay and calculate pay for incoming and outgoing employees and other contract variance circumstances.
Collect and analyze research material and data to evaluate, make recommendations, and report on financial, budgetary, receipts, revenue, and payroll accounting effectiveness.
Implement reporting procedures and internal controls, maintain accurate records, comply with accounting practices and district policies, and monitor and implement payroll law and regulation changes.
Inform district stakeholders and provide information needed to complete transactions and procedures, take appropriate actions, and comply with fiscal guidelines.
Monitor financial activity to ensure accurate allocations and adherence to fiscal practices.
Attend department and district meetings, workshops, and seminars as needed to support payroll and department functions.
Maintain documents, files, and records, and prepare reports, tax forms, memoranda, letters, procedures, and manuals for reference, compliance, documentation, and audit trails.
Assist auditors by providing information and coordinating project activities.
Reconcile payroll-related general ledger accounts, prepare journal entries, and analyze and review data to ensure contributions and deductions are properly recorded and remitted.
Research payroll information or documentation discrepancies, ensure accuracy, and implement corrective measures as needed.
Train payroll personnel on electronic systems and payroll-related topics.
Transfer funds electronically through the bank to pay federal income, FICA, and Medicare taxes.
Present information on a variety of topics to communicate information, gain feedback, and ensure adherence to internal controls.
Provide technical expertise and direction on internal processes and accounting procedures.
Respond to inquiries from staff, administrators, vendors, and others by providing information, direction, and referrals.
Supervise and guide assigned personnel, including assigning work, training, evaluating performance, monitoring work quality and quantity, scheduling time off, providing technical assistance, coaching, handling employee relations, and approving time.
Collaborate with the employee’s own and other work units to support effective teamwork.
Communicate effectively with diverse individuals while maintaining confidentiality and building positive working relationships.
Adapt to changing work priorities and frequent interruptions.
Work under limited supervision, manage and prioritize time, process detailed information accurately, and meet deadlines.
Maintain regular and predictable attendance.
Perform other related duties as assigned.