Accountant IV, Payroll Specialist

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Salem, MA

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Salem State University is hiring an experienced payroll accountant to manage and reconcile full-cycle payroll for a complex workforce spanning multiple bargaining units. The role ensures accurate and timely payments and compliance with federal, state, and university payroll regulations, including tax reporting and year-end filings. It also maintains current, well-audited payroll records in the university’s ERP system and works with Human Resources and Finance colleagues on benefits administration and general ledger reconciliation, resolving discrepancies. The position is hybrid in Salem, Massachusetts, with some on-campus, in-person responsibilities. Employment is contingent on a background and CORI check satisfactory to the university. The position is not eligible for H-1B visa sponsorship.

Requirements

• At least five years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in accounting or auditing, including at least three years in a supervisory, administrative, or managerial capacity, or an equivalent combination of experience and qualifying substitutions.
• An associate’s degree in accounting, business administration, or business management may substitute for up to one year of the required accounting or auditing experience.
• A bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, or business management may substitute for up to two years of the required accounting or auditing experience.
• A graduate degree in accounting, business administration, or business management may substitute for up to two years of the required accounting or auditing experience and one year of the required supervisory, administrative, or managerial experience.
• Education toward a qualifying degree is prorated based on the proportion of degree requirements completed.

Nice To Haves

• Five to eight years of payroll processing experience.
• Experience processing large-volume payrolls.
• Knowledge of and experience with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts HR/CMS payroll and Mosaic Accounting systems.
• Previous payroll processing experience at a higher education institution.

Responsibilities

• Manage and reconcile full-cycle payroll for a workforce across multiple bargaining units.
• Ensure payroll payments are accurate and timely.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and university payroll regulations, including tax reporting and year-end filings.
• Maintain current and well-audited payroll records in the university’s ERP system.
• Work with Human Resources and Finance colleagues to support benefits administration and general ledger reconciliation.
• Resolve payroll and reconciliation discrepancies.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed