Accountant III - Payroll Manager - Youth Services & Hospitals

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

51d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Payroll Manager exists to (a) supervise assigned payroll supervisor's and float position staff , (b) ensure accurate and timely payroll and timekeeping functions are performed effectively, efficiently, timely and in a professional manner to provide accurate payroll payments to employees and to ensure accurate deductions for all applicable taxes, insurance, and other payroll deductions; proper payments are made to third parties; accurate reporting for management, W-2s, and other reporting purposes, (c) prepare documents and reconciliations to respond to audit requests as received by the Office of the State Auditor or other outside auditors (d) advise staff on areas within the department, to correct audit deficiencies, and other issues that arise, (e) ensure critical procedures updated based on current applicable regulations, are trained to necessary staff and are ultimately put into place for performance to maintain the operation of the systems, functions and operations of the Payroll and Timekeeping department. (g) function as back up for the Department Payroll Administrator and subordinate staff in their absence. This position is fully accountable for the work product of three direct subordinate positions as well as second level reporting staff. This position assigns tasks, monitors progress and work flow, verifies, schedules work, and establishes work standards. The purpose of regular work contacts outside of the supervisory chain are often for the purpose of finding information or solving problems where the issues or results are not already known.

Requirements

Eight (8) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position, specifically accounting, finance, payroll
A combination of related education (coursework requires 27 semester hours completed in accounting or auditing) and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to eight (8) years
Current, valid licensure as a CPA by the Colorado Board of Accountancy will count for six (6) years of the requirement
The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills and advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including functions such as VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, and data analysis.
Candidates must complete and pass an Excel skills test as part of the hiring process to demonstrate these abilities.
Analysis of financial transactions to determine accuracy, completeness, and conformance to established policies and procedures and generally accepted accounting standards
Preparing, analyzing, and interpreting financial reports, statements and records, (e.g. balance sheets, profit and loss statements, amortization and depreciation schedules)
Assembling data and creating financial projections
Developing, implementing, modifying and documenting accounting systems
Reconciliation of accounts using excel and google sheets
Calculating and estimating effects of proposed changes in operating programs or accounting operations;
Auditing processes
Revenue recognition & contract completion recognition
Account troubleshooting and problem solving
Implementing and/or designing of financial controls
GL system maintenance
Making account recommendations
This position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in this position), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position.
Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose that information on the application
provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position,
provide the employee number from the applicant's prior State employment.
Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS

Nice To Haves

Great attention to detail
Understanding of details and system interactions
Excellent communications skills
Experience dealing with difficult situations and customers
Great data analytic skills
2 years of supervisory experience
Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office software, specifically Excel and Access and/or google products
Demonstrated experience working with CORE (Advantage)
Preference will be given to candidates with public-sector and/or government accounting experience
Demonstrated knowledge and experience with program accounting principles and practices with human-services related programs
Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate having greater depth of experience and knowledge related to accounting principles and practices.

Responsibilities

Review and Analysis:
Determines compliance/noncompliance of payroll/timekeeping practices by researching federal and state rules, accounting practices and regulations.
Identifies and resolves management issues that need improvement.
Develops, establishes, modifies and implements procedures to maintain compliance.
Analyzes problem areas and devises resolutions that assure the integrity of the resulting information.
Implements altered or new procedures.
Analyzes and formulates needed process changes within payroll/timekeeping, based on attendance at meetings requiring the payroll/timekeeping unit's input, view point, participation, or concerning topics that may impact payroll/timekeeping functions and staff.
Designs and implements appropriate plans of action.
Participates in system assessment, design and roll out as applicable to assigned duties for both departmental and state wide systems and projects.
Provides insight on over all impacts and participates in a leadership capacity within the payroll department
Supervision:
Compliance and Customer Service:
Applies generally accepted accounting principles, federal, state and department rules and regulations to resolve non-routine issues, disputes and questions concerning hours worked, leave and overtime calculations, and payroll calculations and adjustments for employees.
Reviews points in contention, negotiates and mediates a reasonable resolution while assessing if departmental process or procedure changes are necessary.
Provides guidance and expertise to subordinate staff and customers in the areas of department assigned duties.
Meets with employees and/or supervisors as necessary to explain generally accepted accounting principles, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures that apply to payroll and timekeeping functions.
Ensures ongoing compliance with all relevant federal and state legislation, policies, and procedures affecting the assigned areas of responsibility, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA), Colorado Code of Regulations, Colorado WINS agreements, Department of Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, and the State of Colorado Fiscal Rules.
Promotes and maintains positive and effective relationships between the payroll team members, human resources, department timekeepers, supervisors, employees, Central Payroll, and other stakeholders.
Acts as a liaison with Human Resources and Benefits/Risk Management.
Establishes and implements appropriate procedures to prevent and/or resolve issues.
Interface with Auditors
Gathers and analyzes requested documentation for auditors.
Has final accountability for submission of the work product including timeliness, correctness, and soundness.
Serves as an expert to auditors in matters concerning payroll and timekeeping procedures.
Back up CDHS Payroll Supervisors (Accountant II's) @ CDHS Payroll Administrator
Serves as a back up to the other CDHS Payroll Supervisors (Accountant II's).

Benefits

Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans
Medical and dental health plans
Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
Paid life insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage
11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center
Employee Wellness program
Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.