Payroll Manager

THE LUTHERAN CHURCH - MISSOURI SYNOD • Kirkwood, MO

46d • Onsite

About The Position

The Payroll Manager directs the timely and accurate payroll services to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), international missionaries, Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty (LCRL), Concordia Historical Institute (CHI), LCMS Foundation, and any synodical districts who choose to have payroll services provided by the department. Coordinates with Executive Director of Accounting and Financial Services, the Director of Tax and Compliance, and other accounting staff in areas of mutual concern.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field required, or equivalent experience required.
• Six years’ accounting experience with a minimum of three years of a payroll automated system in a complex multifaceted organization.
• Proven experience in directly supervising payroll staff and overseeing daily operations.
• Strong customer service and communication skills with ability to explain complex payroll and tax matters clearly to employees and ministry leaders.
• In-depth knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to employment taxes, filings, and registrations.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Meticulous attention to detail, particularly in tax calculations, to ensure accuracy in reporting.
• Proven ability to identify issues and proactively implement solutions.
• Skilled in managing and resolving issues with payroll service vendors.
• Ability to adapt to changes in regulations, technology, and organizational needs, and to contribute to the continuous improvement of processes.
• Efficient time management skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to ethical decision-making.

Nice To Haves

• Professional certification (CPP) is a plus.
• International payroll management experience, preferred.
• Experience processing payroll for ordained and commissioned ministers, including housing allowance and clergy-specific tax considerations, preferred.
• Experience supporting international or missionary compensation structures (e.g., cost of living adjustment (COLA), tax equalization, etc.), preferred.
• Experience with Paycom software and Banner accounting software is a plus.
• Active member of an LCMS congregation, preferred.
• Experience in synodical accounting and/or synodical organization, preferred.
• Active in a professional organization.

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee payroll operations for all serviced entities, including domestic and international employees, rostered church workers, and missionaries, ensuring accurate, timely, compliant, and cost effective payroll processing for cash and non cash compensation.
• Ensure payroll compliance and tax accuracy, including oversight of federal, state, and local tax filings, deposits, W 2s, 941s, clergy specific reporting, international payroll requirements, and responses to IRS or state inquiries; prepare or approve adjustments and amendments as needed.
• Manage payroll accounting and reconciliations, including general and subsidiary payroll ledgers, payroll to general ledger interfaces, accruals, fund transfers, and regular reconciliations to ensure financial integrity and audit readiness.
• Provide leadership and supervision of payroll staff, including hiring, training, performance management, workload oversight, and maintenance of procedures to ensure operational continuity and consistent service quality.
• Oversee payroll systems and vendor relationships, including system administration, maintenance of earning/deduction codes and tax tables, coordination with IT on enhancements, vendor performance management, and system conversions for new serviced entities.
• Support audits, reporting, and analysis, including preparation of annual compensation reporting, audit schedules, non cash benefit reviews, workers’ compensation support, and financial analysis or specialized reports as requested.
• Maintain internal controls and documentation related to payroll processes, records retention, access controls, segregation of duties, and departmental procedures to ensure compliance, accuracy, and risk mitigation.
• Collaborate with HR, AP, and serviced entities, serving as a subject matter expert for payroll matters, resolving payroll issues, identifying taxable transactions, ensuring effective communication, and supporting organizational and ministry needs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees