The Payroll Specialist is responsible for all transactions involving payroll. The Payroll Specialist performs technical and specialized governmental accounting work processing and maintaining the payroll for the College, as well as processes the related taxes, longevity, deferred compensation, and other payroll benefit records ensuring that all applicable deadlines are met. The Payroll Specialist reports directly to the Executive Director of Human Resources.

Job duties include:
 

1. Prepares and processes all activities related to the payroll processes and operating procedures.
2. Serves as a primary contact for payroll issues including research, resolution, and processing.
3. Organizes and maintains all records and files for employees.
4. Reviews and analyzes all payroll data for accuracy; calculates earnings and enters the payroll data into Colleague; updates payroll data on a daily basis to ensure accurate processing.
5. Prepares payroll journal entries for input to Colleague such as payroll-related journal entries for year-end including accumulated vacation leave and accrued salaries.
6. Responsible for payroll tax (Federal 941 and NC Withholding), W-2 processing, and is the primary contact for payroll tax exceptions including foreign nationals, students (FWS), out-of-state employees, and any other exceptions.
7. Performs specialized technical payroll calculations involving gross pay, retirement, taxes, contract calculation, retroactive pay, fringe benefits, and leave records.
8. Maintains benefit spreadsheets and reconciles to monthly invoices to ensure employee deductions are accurate and works with Accounts Payable to process vendor payments.
9. Answers all inquiries and provides information; researches and resolves payroll and benefit problems and discrepancies.
10. Prepares deposits for Federal, State, and FICA taxes.
11. Works directly with Human Resources during open enrollment to ensure that all benefit/deduction changes are updated in Colleague and all changes are reviewed for accuracy.
12. Manages and maintains documentation regarding garnishment deductions and payment activities as they relate to payroll.
13. Works directly with Human Resources to confirm payroll-related information and determine deductions and benefits (as needed).
14. Ensures compliance and confidentiality with all policies and procedures of the College, NC Community College System, and applicable State and Federal agencies.
15. Responsible for all payroll reporting to NCCCS and other financial-related reports including but not limited to longevity, annual leave rollover, and compensated absences.
16. Assist the human resources department with benefit-related questions and claims.
17. Assists with workers’ compensation annual audit.
18. Works closely with the Director of Financial Services for general ledger (GL) accounts and information related to financial reporting.
19. Maintains a professional and positive attitude while providing excellent customer service to internal and external customers.
20. Performs other duties as assigned.