Payroll Accountant II - Classified

State of Colorado • Denver, CO

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) is seeking a Payroll Accountant II to ensure accurate and timely payment of all CDE employees. This role is responsible for payroll-related functions for employees paid on monthly and biweekly cycles. The position involves reviewing timecards in UKG for completeness and accuracy, assisting employees with time entry and UKG questions, and reconciling payroll accounts to identify and correct errors before they impact employees. The role may also assist with general accounts payable and CORE transitions, and participate in the testing and implementation of the new CORE Payroll system. The final salary offer will be determined based on a salary analysis considering relevant experience, education, certifications, and state seniority, in compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.

Requirements

• Six (6) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to accounting/payroll.
• OR A combination of related education (27 semester hours completed in accounting or auditing) and/or relevant experience totaling six (6) years.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain employee confidentiality.
• Demonstrated experience in using a variety of payroll systems.
• Demonstrated experience in reading spreadsheets (i.e., Google Docs, Excel, etc.).
• Demonstrated experience in using a variety of accounting software.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail (proofing work, spelling, grammar, formatting, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to effectively balance quality of work and productivity expectations.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate with internal and external customers (e.g. school districts, other CDE units).
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and organize work to accommodate and meet the changing needs of the department and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and exhibit a proactive approach to work.
• Demonstrated ability to identify problems and recommend solutions prior to the standard being jeopardized.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as on a team.
• Ability and willingness to commute to the CDE buildings.
• Must be willing and able to submit to the pre-screening process and pass a background check.
• Ability and willingness to independently commute to CDE buildings.
• Work extended schedule per business needs.
• Report to work location per business needs.
• Required to independently determine and obtain means to complete travel requirements.
• Required to sit, view a computer screen, and utilize a keyboard and mouse for extended periods of time.
• Required lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, walking, etc.

Nice To Haves

• Current, valid licensure as a CPA by the Colorado Board of Accountancy.
• Experience in working with state payroll systems.
• Experience in utilizing different systems such as CPPS (Colorado's state payroll system), HRDW, UKG, OnBase, Benefits Solver, and the PERA employer website.
• Experience in utilizing Microsoft systems (such as Outlook email, Teams, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Compile and calculate monthly and biweekly payroll for CDE employees.
• Verify and enter data into the state payroll system (CPPS) or CORE Payroll, including W-4 information and direct deposit changes.
• Originate and submit batches with any payroll changes in the payroll system.
• Coordinate electronic deposits and issue payroll checks to new employees.
• Work with internal and external parties, including PERA, Credit unions and banks, DPA’s Central Payroll, and the Human Resources unit.
• Maintain CDE employee payroll files, ensuring proper payment and cost center allocation.
• Update payroll data as necessary due to employee-initiated changes, accounting changes, and other necessary changes.
• Work with employees on all payroll issues and answer payroll questions in a timely manner via phone, instant message, and email.
• Run integrations and reports in UKG to verify data accuracy.
• Collect and report all ACA information to the Colorado Division of Human Resources.
• Consult with employees who are terminating or retiring from the state regarding final leave payouts.
• Complete, submit, and certify final salary data to PERA as requested.
• Train department personnel as needed on payroll issues.
• Handle FAMLI overpayment reconciliations and work with employees for repayment.
• Prepare UKG CLAS Export for Monthly payroll for prior month adjustments and/or Biweekly payroll, checking for accuracy.
• Reconcile monthly and/or biweekly payroll distributions from CPPS (or CORE Payroll when implemented) by comparing prior and current gross and net amounts, analyzing differences.
• Submit reconciliations to the supervisor for review prior to the correction payroll input deadline.
• Review CPPS posting reports in OnBase to ensure the accuracy of bi-weekly payroll processing.
• Initialize necessary adjustments to payroll and/or accounting records based on reconciliations.
• Reconcile CPPS and OnBase reports to CORE at the object code level for each payroll.
• Review UKG timecards and analyze for completeness, accuracy, and validity.
• Pull, review, and use UKG Integration reports (CLAS Export) to ensure payroll is posting correctly.
• Enter General Accounting Expenditure (GAX) documents into CORE as needed.
• Ensure all required documentation is scanned and attached to CORE documents before approval.
• Select the correct vendor record in CORE, or obtain necessary information to add a new record.
• Perform other duties as assigned, which may include cleaning, archiving, system testing, assisting other units with accounting tasks, processing cash receipts, reports, reconciliation, participation on committees, creating and delivering presentations, participating in projects, research, and administrative tasks.

Benefits

• Flexible work schedules and flexible workplace options that may include flexible working hours, working from home, working in the office, and/or a hybrid working environment.
• Premier medical, dental, vision, and dependent life insurance options with a generous employer contribution.
• Employer paid short-term disability and life insurance.
• Up to 160 hours of Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML).
• 11 paid holidays per year.
• Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals.
• Retirement through the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA).
• Employer paid RTD Eco Pass (certain restrictions may apply).
• Paid professional development opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree