Payroll Specialist

Central Piedmont Community College•Central Campus - Uptown/Elizabeth, NC

10d

About The Position

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for accurate and timely payroll processing, maintaining payroll records, and ensuring compliance with labor laws, college policies, and regulatory requirements. The role audits payroll and benefits data, coordinates with Human Resources, and supports employees and other stakeholders with payroll questions and discrepancies. It also performs payroll accounting and reporting, reconciles benefit withholdings, maintains payroll procedures, and may coordinate training or serve as a web ambassador. The position primarily follows standard office hours, with occasional late hours or weekend work potentially required during emergencies.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field.
Three years of payroll processing experience, including two years of accounting experience.
Knowledge of office rules, procedures, and operations regarding payroll.
Self-motivation, attention to detail, and strong organizational skills.
Excellent communication, customer service, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll regulations, including FLSA, IRS, Social Security, and tax laws.
Understanding of higher education payroll structures, including faculty contracts, adjunct pay, and stipends.
Proficiency in payroll systems; examples include Workday, Ellucian, Informer, Banner, and ADP.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field, or four years of payroll processing experience, including two years of accounting.

Responsibilities

Audit and verify active employee payroll and benefits data, ensuring accurate entry into the payroll HRIS.
Collaborate with Human Resources to confirm payroll details and determine applicable deductions and benefits.
Ensure employees are paid accurately and on time.
Verify employee records; calculate payroll changes, check requests, and reimbursements; make required changes or issue stop-payment requests promptly.
Stay informed about salary, benefits, and deduction regulations and ensure compliance with payroll laws and institutional policies.
Advise employees on earnings statement questions, including taxes, deductions, and pay codes, while maintaining confidentiality.
Perform payroll accounting processes and prepare reports, including analyzing, balancing, and reconciling journal entries; processing payroll refunds; retirement reporting; and month-end reporting.
Gather, analyze, and provide accurate information to internal and external agencies within reporting deadlines.
Assist with payroll processing by creating payroll vouchers, printing paychecks and earnings statements, and mailing checks to vendors.
Reconcile benefit withholding to statements and make necessary corrections.
Answer payroll inquiries and research and resolve payroll problems and discrepancies.
Collaborate with Human Resources, Finance, and College stakeholders, including managers, staff, and faculty.
Create, update, and maintain payroll standard operating procedures; test and implement new processes as needed.
May organize or coordinate training on payroll processes.
May serve as a web ambassador.
Perform other duties as assigned.