Payroll Specialist

Franklin County • Louisburg, NC

19d • Onsite

About The Position

Franklin County is seeking a detail-driven and service-minded Payroll Specialist to help ensure our employees are paid accurately, timely, and in full compliance with state and federal regulations. As a key member of our Finance team, you will manage complex payroll processes, maintain precise records, and support staff across all departments with clarity and professionalism. This role is ideal for someone who thrives on accuracy, enjoys problem-solving, and takes pride in delivering dependable, high-quality work that keeps county operations running smoothly.

Requirements

• Considerable knowledge of personnel and payroll practices and principles and their relationship to accounting and legal requirements.
• Knowledge of payroll laws, rules, regulations, policies, and practices to follow in the payroll function, including FLSA, FMLA, and others that may apply.
• Ability to use personal computer programs for payroll calculating, posting; proficiency with adding machines and other automated equipment and software for the processing and maintenance of payroll and accounting records.
• Ability to make arithmetic computations accurately and with reasonable speed and efficiency.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department heads, departmental payroll contacts, employees, and the general public.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms.
• Ability to use judgment and discretion in handling payroll related issues.
• Ability to work extended schedules as needed to meet established payroll deadlines.
• Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license upon hire.

Nice To Haves

• Graduation from a two year college with a concentration in business administration or related field and experience in payroll operations, or an equivalent combination accounting education and experience.
• Preferred experience would include work in a governmental payroll environment with a full range of independent functions in processing and interpreting payroll related information.

Responsibilities

• Enters payroll related information into the County payroll system on a bi-weekly schedule.
• Obtains, audits, and inputs time sheets and leave records into the computer as needed for payroll; works with departmental contacts on payroll and leave data; works with supervisors and employees about payroll concerns.
• Interprets and explains payroll rules, taxes, and related payroll processes.
• Prepares payrolls for the County; enters changes for salary and certain payroll deductions; adds and terminates employees in the payroll system; adjusts for leave without pay and other special circumstances; applies payroll policies to ensure the correct expenditure of County funds and the correct salary payments for employees.
• Checks accuracy of payroll before running checks; runs edits for payroll; rechecks/proofs changes; checks and balances deductions; calculates changes in salaries or deductions as required; prints checks.
• Prepares journal entries for various payroll functions.
• Works with departmental contacts on sick and vacation leave balances.
• Completes payroll reports to a variety of Federal and State agencies and to fringe benefits vendors.
• Generates and distributes W-2's.
• Works with the auditors on payroll procedures and policy and reviews documents related to payroll actions.
• Calculates special payroll programs as personnel and payroll programs and salary schedules are modified for County employees.
• Maintains confidentiality of payroll information.
• Audits payroll files as needed.
• Serves in backup capacities to others in the Finance Department.
• Performs related duties as required.

Benefits

• medical and dental insurance
• elective supplemental insurance options such as short-term disability, vision, and voluntary term life
• local government retirement
• 401(k) with a 4% employer contribution
• generous paid leave
• 13 county-observed paid holidays per year
• an employee wellness program inclusive of a county sponsored gym
• an employee assistant program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree