Statewide Payroll Advisor

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Statewide Payroll Advisor works in the Office of Financial Management’s Statewide Accounting Division, within the Payroll Unit. The position provides payroll consulting to state agencies and supports HRMS, the state payroll system. It identifies, plans, coordinates, and implements payroll consulting services for program areas with limited statewide impact; participates in statewide payroll projects; and assists in developing and maintaining statewide payroll policies. The role also partners with coworkers on process improvements and coordinates with other OFM divisions and state agencies. The position supports HRMS payroll operations by auditing wage types and researching and resolving errors in files sent to Workday after each payroll cycle, in collaboration with affected agencies. It supports the Statewide Accounting Payroll Manager with Workday HCM readiness activities, including coordination, issue resolution, and preparation for payroll-related implementation. The advisor consults with assigned agencies on payroll, accounting, financial reporting, administrative regulations, state systems, and applicable laws and policies. Duties include monitoring monthly agency financial data, reviewing year-end submissions, coordinating adjustments, working with the State Auditor’s Office, evaluating audit results, mediating audit disagreements, and monitoring corrective actions. The position maintains payroll provisions in the State Administrative & Accounting Manual (SAAM) and the Washington Administrative and Accounting Manual (WAAM), develops related resources and training, and contributes to Workday policy and procedure development. It also helps develop and deliver payroll training and supports Personnel Payroll Association activities, including meetings and year-end training. This is a hybrid position based in Olympia, Washington. Most work allows for telework, with travel to in-person activities, meetings, and events as business needs require. The budgeted annual salary range is $90,000–$112,000; the starting offer depends on the successful candidate’s qualifications, and salary progression may be available over time.

Requirements

Experience in payroll processing and administration.
Ability to interpret collective bargaining agreements, Civil Service Rules, and state and federal rules and regulations, and identify their payroll impacts.
Experience using state-specific systems, including HRMS, Pay1/Benefits 24/7, AFRS, Employer Reporting Application (ERA), ER/Webi, WWA, and HRMS.
Ability to interpret Washington State laws, regulations, administrative and accounting policies, and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Experience completing or reviewing payroll reconciliations.
Experience processing IRS Forms 941, 941-X, W-2, and W-2 C.
Experience processing year-to-date tax adjustments.
Ability to advise multiple state agencies on payroll processing, which may be demonstrated through prior work with multiple state agencies.
Comprehensive knowledge of accounting for quarterly payroll payments such as LNI, PFML, and LTSS; Shared Leave transactions; employee payments and health insurance refunds made outside the payroll system; and garnishment or third-party payments.

Nice To Haves

Prior accounting coursework or public accountant certification.
Demonstrated professional experience in budgeting, accounting, auditing, or financial reporting.

Responsibilities

Review and validate HRMS wage types to ensure they calculate payroll accurately.
Research errors in files submitted from HRMS to Workday during each payroll cycle and work with impacted agencies to correct them.
Support the Statewide Accounting Payroll Manager with Workday HCM readiness, coordination, issue resolution, and payroll implementation preparation.
Provide payroll consulting to assigned state agencies and resolve payroll and technical issues involving state systems, financial policies, laws, regulations, and GAAP.
Advise agencies on accounting, financial reporting, management information, financial systems, administrative regulations, and interpretations of state and federal laws.
Monitor monthly agency financial data for accuracy, appropriateness, and compliance; analyze data and recommend corrections as needed.
Review assigned agencies’ year-end data submissions and coordinate adjusting entries when needed.
Consult with State Auditor’s Office staff when necessary, evaluate financial audit results, mediate disagreements between auditors and agencies, and monitor corrective action plans and audit recommendations.
Coordinate with relevant OFM program areas and Statewide Accounting teams to support consistent guidance and advise on effects on budgeting, accounting, and financial systems.
Maintain Chapter 25 Payroll in the State Administrative & Accounting Manual (SAAM), respond to questions, review changes in laws and regulations, and coordinate manual updates.
Maintain Payroll and HR provisions in the Washington Administrative and Accounting Manual (WAAM), working with the One Washington Finance Team and reviewing Workday design documents to draft aligned policies and procedures.
Develop resources and provide training on assigned SAAM sections.
Assist with developing, reviewing, and providing feedback on payroll training; conduct instructor-led payroll courses; and create, edit, and review HRMS Support Hub training materials.
Support the Payroll Manager with Personnel Payroll Association executive meetings and participate in statewide PPA meetings by leading training, preparing materials, taking minutes, and encouraging agency participation.
Lead Personnel Payroll Association year-end training.
Partner with coworkers and participate in process improvement activities to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of Accounting Division work.