Payroll Accounting Specialist

State of Montana•Helena, MT

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Payroll Accounting/Compliance Specialist performs advanced payroll accounting functions to ensure the accurate reconciliation, reporting, and distribution of payroll-related funds. This position serves as the agency's primary resource for Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) reconciliation and reporting while administering the timely remittance of employee payroll withholdings and employer contributions to retirement systems, benefit providers, government agencies, and other authorized vendors. The position performs complex reconciliations, maintains compliance with state and federal regulations, supports financial reporting and audits, and collaborates with internal and external partners to ensure the integrity of payroll accounting processes.

Requirements

Associate's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field.
Three (3) or more years of progressively responsible payroll, accounting, or retirement administration experience.
Payroll accounting principles.
Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) reporting requirements and contribution processes.
Payroll reconciliation techniques.
State and federal payroll laws and regulations.
Internal controls and auditing practices.
Microsoft Excel, including advanced reconciliation functions.
Strong analytical and reconciliation skills.
Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
Ability to identify, research, and resolve complex discrepancies.
Ability to interpret retirement regulations, payroll policies, and state laws.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
Ability to work independently while managing multiple deadlines.

Nice To Haves

Experience reconciling retirement or pension contributions is highly preferred.
Experience with state government payroll systems and PERS reporting is preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as the agency's primary liaison for PERS payroll reporting and reconciliation.
Reconcile retirement contributions, prepare required reports and adjustments, and resolve reporting discrepancies.
Monitor retirement eligibility, contributions rates, membership classifications, and retirement deductions.
Maintain supporting documentation and ensure compliance with PERS reporting requirements.
Assist employees and coordinate with PERS representatives on retirement-related payroll questions and issues.
Process and reconcile payroll liabilities, employee deductions, and employer contributions for vendors, benefit providers, and government agencies.
Verify liability balances and ensure payments are accurate, timely, and consistent with statutory and contractual requirements.
Reconcile payroll liability accounts with payroll records, vendor invoices, and the general ledger; research and resolve discrepancies.
Coordinate with Accounting, vendors, and state agencies to resolve payment and reporting issues.
Maintain supporting documentation, prepare required reports, and ensure compliance with payroll deduction requirements and audit standards.
Complete year-end payroll closeout and reconcile payroll registers, general ledger accounts, employee wages, deductions, taxable benefits, employer contributions, and tax records.
Prepare, review, submit, and distribute required federal and state payroll tax filings, including Forms W-2, Forms 941, and state withholding reports.
Research and resolve payroll tax and year-end reporting discrepancies; process corrections and amended filings as needed.
Maintain documentation and supporting reconciliations for financial reporting and internal and external audits.
Monitor federal and state tax law and reporting changes and update payroll processes as needed.
Process payroll transactions and adjustments that affect retirement contributions and reporting.
Review payroll registers and retirement-eligible compensation to ensure accurate retirement deductions.
Respond to employee questions regarding retirement eligibility, deductions, contribution history, and payroll adjustments.
Work collaboratively with Human Resources, Finance, and agency management to resolve payroll and retirement issues.
Maintain payroll and retirement reporting systems and related procedures.
Identify process improvements, support system testing, and strengthen internal controls for payroll and retirement reconciliation.
Crosstrain in payroll operations to provide backup support.
Assist with special payroll, retirement, and financial projects; perform other related duties as assigned.