Payroll Accounting Coordinator

University of New Orleans • New Orleans, LA

1d

About The Position

The Payroll Accounting Coordinator is an early-career professional position supporting University Payroll and Financial Operations. This position supports accurate accounting, reconciliation, documentation, and reporting of university payroll transactions while developing expertise in payroll accounting, compliance, and financial operations. Working in collaboration with the Payroll Manager, the Payroll Accounting Coordinator assists with payroll accounting activities including salary reallocations, payroll journal entries, financial reconciliations, leave certification, payroll distribution analysis, year-end reporting, and audit support. The position collaborates with Payroll, Finance, Human Resources, and university departments to ensure payroll transactions are accurately recorded, compliant with federal, state, and institutional requirements, and properly reflected in the University's financial records. This position is an excellent opportunity for recent graduates seeking to launch a career in payroll accounting, financial operations, or higher education administration. Comprehensive on-the-job training, mentoring, and professional development will be provided, with opportunities for advancement based on performance and organizational needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of basic accounting principles.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to learn payroll laws, regulations, and university policies.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality while handling sensitive payroll information.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related discipline preferred.
• Internship, student employment, practicum, or professional experience in accounting, finance, payroll, auditing, bookkeeping, or other financial operations.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret financial data.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel for data analysis, reconciliations, or financial reporting.
• Familiarity with enterprise financial or HR/payroll systems (e.g., Workday, Banner, PeopleSoft, Oracle, or similar ERP systems).

Responsibilities

• Applies professional judgement to identify and resolve payroll accounting discrepancies.
• Review personnel and payroll transactions affecting salary distributions to ensure appropriate funding alignment.
• Prepare payroll salary reallocation entries between departments, grants, and funding sources.
• Support preparation and reconciliation of payroll-related journal entries.
• Research payroll expenditures posted to clearing and suspense accounts and coordinate corrective actions.
• Assist with fiscal year-end payroll accruals and related accounting adjustments.
• Respond to departmental inquiries regarding payroll expenditure and financial postings.
• Assist in analyzing payroll financial data and identifying trends or discrepancies.
• Reconcile payroll expenditures to the University's general ledger.
• Review payroll distribution reports for accuracy and compliance.
• Research payroll variances and prepare recommended corrections.
• Assist in reconciling payroll liabilities, deductions, benefit withholdings, and clearing accounts.
• Support monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll financial reconciliations.
• Assist with the University's leave certification process for academic and non-classified employees.
• Prepare and reconcile monthly leave certification reports.
• Maintain documentation supporting payroll and leave certifications.
• Assist with internal and external audit requests.
• Provide departments with guidance regarding payroll documentation and leave certification procedures.
• Assist with processing university payrolls, including academic, fiscal, biweekly, student, and supplemental payrolls.
• Serve as backup payroll processor following completion of departmental training.
• Review payroll processing reports for completeness and accuracy.
• Assist with payroll testing during system upgrades and process improvements.
• Assist with annual W-2 processing, reconciliation, and distribution.
• Respond to employee requests for W-2s and payroll documentation.
• Reconcile W-2 totals with year-end payroll reports.
• Maintain payroll records in accordance with university retention requirements.
• Assist with year-end payroll balancing and reporting activities.
• Prepare purchase requisitions for payroll office operations.
• Interprets payroll and financial data to support operational decision making.
• Coordinate payroll office equipment maintenance.
• Assist in supervising student workers assigned to payroll records and filing.
• Participate in payroll process improvement initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

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