Payroll Accountant

UO HR Website • Eugene, OR

1d • $25 - $38

About The Position

The Payroll Accountant supports the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of the university’s payroll, benefits, and retirement accounting functions. This position performs complex reconciliations of employee payroll deductions, retirement contributions, union dues, and benefit payments, working closely with Human Resources, vendors, and payroll staff to identify discrepancies, resolve issues, and ensure proper financial posting. The role assists with PEBB daily files, retirement entry processing, and reconciliation activities, as well as the preparation, auditing, and submission of union reporting and vendor invoices.

A key responsibility of this position is supporting payroll processing through the calculation and collection of overpayments, processing of daily manual checks, and assisting the Payroll Accounting team with payroll posting, tax reconciliations, and research related to payroll tax accounts. The Payroll Accountant also processes benefit and retirement adjustments, performs testing of system programming changes and releases, and contributes to the accuracy of payroll data across systems.

The position plays a critical role in supporting workflow efficiency by establishing and verifying employee job records, mandatory deductions, tax withholding, retirement codes, benefit codes, and other key data elements in the Banner HRIS system. The accountant ensures consistency and compliance with pay rules, personnel policies, and data standards across all employee classifications. The role also develops and maintains data tools to streamline payroll processes and collaborates with management to identify and implement automation and workflow improvements. Through a combination of analytical skills, attention to detail, and collaboration with internal and external partners, the Payroll Accountant helps safeguard payroll accuracy, maintain regulatory compliance, and support efficient payroll operations across the university.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with CPA or PA certificate; OR Bachelor's degree with 30 quarter (20 semester) hours of college-level Accounting, OR 30 quarter (20 semester) hours of Accounting courses and three years of Accounting experience. Transcripts must be submitted for all required and/or related courses. All courses must be from accredited colleges, universities, or private vocational schools.
• Accounting experience must include at least 3 of the following: Preparing transactions to be recorded in records of original entry; Preparing journal entries, posting from journals to general ledger, or preparing original general ledger entries; Summarizing data from a ledger to a trial balance; Closing accounts at the end of an accounting period; Applying PC spreadsheet, database, and word processing software; Processing data using a computer.
• Exceptional customer service skills and the ability to represent Business Affairs and the university in a friendly, helpful, and professional manner.
• Excellent analytical, written, and verbal communication skills and ability to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Ability to interpret and apply rules and regulations in a compliant manner.
• Ability to explain (verbally and in writing) complex rules and regulations to various audiences in a meaningful and effective manner.
• Proficiency in computer software technology.
• Independent problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Confidentiality.

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience with payroll processes and accounting.
• Direct experience with health insurance billing practices.
• Direct experience with creating and reconciling federal and state tax forms.
• Direct experience working with IT staff to develop data extraction processes and reports.

Responsibilities

• Supports the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of the university’s payroll, benefits, and retirement accounting functions.
• Performs complex reconciliations of employee payroll deductions, retirement contributions, union dues, and benefit payments.
• Assists with PEBB daily files, retirement entry processing, and reconciliation activities.
• Supports payroll processing through the calculation and collection of overpayments and processing of daily manual checks.
• Processes benefit and retirement adjustments and performs testing of system programming changes and releases.
• Establishes and verifies employee job records, mandatory deductions, tax withholding, retirement codes, and benefit codes in the Banner HRIS system.
• Develops and maintains data tools to streamline payroll processes and collaborates with management to identify and implement automation and workflow improvements.

Benefits

• The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
• For more information about benefits, visit our website

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level