Payroll Lead

Metropolitan State University of Denver•Denver, CO

15h•Hybrid

About The Position

This position guides a team of payroll professionals in delivering payroll services to the organization. They are also responsible for overseeing the management, development and day-to-day work of the payroll team.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in business, Accounting, or in any related field. 1 year of experience is equal to 1 year of education.
4 years of hands-on experience processing payroll in an integrated ERP system for an institution with over 2000 employees, which must include experience paying withholdings, working with taxing authorities, processing W2s, garnishments, collecting repayments, processing TIAA , Fidelity contributions, PERA (or a similar retirement).
Identifying various benefits and deductions, preparing related billings, reconciling system information.
Experience working with semi-monthly and monthly payrolls.
Ability to reconcile accounts to ensure they are cleared out each month.
Comfortable being hands-on with daily payroll operations and system tasks.
Respond to queries within the published response timelines, analyze problems, and recommend/implement solutions.
Experience with Supervision.

Nice To Haves

Experience processing payroll in the Workday ERP specifically.
Experience administering variable pay environments.
Experience in higher education.

Responsibilities

Handle/oversee full-cycle payroll processing (Semi Group and Monthly group) for employees.
Prepare and process the University’s payroll expenditures, withholdings/contributions, vendor payments, tax compliance, employee repayments of payroll overpayments, and manual payments.
Manage the day-to-day operations of the payroll processing function, including reviewing and verifying payroll data and ensuring accuracy of employee payroll information.
Develop and implement payroll procedures, processes, and controls to improve efficiency and accuracy of payroll operations.
Train and supervise payroll team members, ensuring they are knowledgeable about payroll processes and procedures.
Process payroll reconciliations and general ledger, and also coordinate with the Accounting Services office to resolve any reconciliation discrepancies.
Responsible for regulatory filings, including with filing with IRS, Social Security Administration, Colorado Department of Revenue, including but not limited to W2s, 1042s, and 941s.
Prepares and processes Federal state withholding and Medicare tax, local tax, as well as out-of-state taxes, and unemployment taxes and reporting.
Ensures compliance with payment, reporting and other tax-requirements, including setting up MSU accounts for out-of-state taxes, which includes completing amended tax returns when necessary.
Serve as a liaison between MSU Denver and state, local, and federal agencies, representing the University’s position and advocating for favorable rulings and outcomes.
Serves as contact for payroll-related external entities such as the IRS, garnishment agencies, taxing authorities, etc.
Works with vendors and other third parties to resolve process issues and errors to ensure compliance to related laws and regulations.
Provide customer service for staff, faculty, and students by responding to inquiries regarding any payroll questions, i.e. pay amounts, wage levies and garnishments, withholdings, direct deposit, etc.
Assist the payroll manager with year-end W-2 filing and Accounting Services with the 1042S filing and prepare year-end closing and adjusting entries.
Assists with the financial audits of the University.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Assist and be involved in Workday Payroll Projects involving strategy, design of Payroll systems support, integrations, business processes, security, and data integrity to ensure timely and successful delivery.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify and address potential risks and roadblocks in the transformation process to produce reliable, accurate information for Payroll/ HR/ Finance reporting, planning, regulatory, and forecasting purposes.
Communicate project updates, progress, and challenges to the Payroll Manager and internal stakeholders.
Assist and be involved in the maintenance, upgrade, and support of Payroll systems, ensuring high availability and reliability.
Conduct regular audits of system usage, performance, and security to ensure optimal functionality and compliance with internal and external standards.
Ensure rapid response to campus inquiries regarding payroll processing, and appropriate HR/ Financial Aid / Finance-related forms that impact payroll processing, troubleshoot potential errors, and implement the appropriate changes to ensure payroll is properly processed and recorded in the accounting system.
Coordinates with Human Resources (HR) and Information Technology Services (ITS) on all changes related to pay, i.e furloughs, paid time off, new deduction and earnings codes, employee classes, changes in minimum wage, etc.