Payroll Specialist

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for timely and accurate preparation and production of all campus payrolls and associated reporting.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: 1.
Payment of salaries and wages: Proofs employee master file for correct department, wage, social security number and W-4 information.
Processes contracts for salaried employees and computes new faculty/staff benefit levels.
Verifies accuracy of timecards.
Prepares bi-weekly payroll for non-exempt staff and students and monthly payrolls for exempt faculty and staff.
Proofs payroll register containing tax and deduction information.
Proofs salary changes, as needed, and manages salary accruals when applicable.
Administers irregular payments related to summer camps, grant funded projects, and benefits subject to employment taxes.
Reconciles completed payroll files prior to disbursement.
2.
Deductions: Obtains and maintains data to create necessary payroll deductions including supplemental life insurance, flexible benefits, dental insurance, accounts receivable, rent payments, payroll advances, and garnishments.
Manages deduction changes as needed.
Utilizes spreadsheets to reconcile dental and flexible benefit programs.
3.
Payroll-Related External Payments: Makes tax payments as required by law including FICA/Medicare, federal withholding, and state withholding.
Verifies accuracy of contributions for health savings accounts, flex health, and flex dependent care.
Submits payments for these benefits to third-party administrators.
Administers all Tax-Deferred Annuity (TDA) and Roth Annuity payroll deductions and monthly billings.
Reviews laws affecting TDA and Roth contributions and calculates maximum contributions allowable by law.
Manages TIAA CREF retirement plan employer contributions due each month for participating employees.
Ensures that employees are added to the retirement plan when appropriate and contributions are calculated accurately.
4.
Payroll Reporting: Gathers data to create and distribute payroll reports as needed.
Reports include payroll specific reports, quarterly reports, W-2 reports, and departmental reports as requested.
Provides information to external auditors in conjunction with the annual financial statement audit, federal funds single audit, 403(b) retirement plant audit, and worker’s compensation audit.
Works with Information Technology Services to create reports that will generate data necessary to complete regular payroll tasks and special projects as requested.
5.
Research: Conducts research regarding employment regulations as set forth by entities such as the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Labor.
Advises management in the process of determining compensation arrangements that consider Fair Labor Standards Act requirements as well as tax reporting and withholding implications.
Models tax withholding and benefit deduction scenarios as requested by management.
6.
Other duties as assigned: Assists with customer service in the Human Resources (HR) office.
This responsibility includes coordinating breaks and time off with HR employees, answering HR phone calls, and assisting HR office visitors.
Performs reconciliations of various general ledger accounts and researches any imbalances.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE and SKILLS: Education: Associates degree required.
Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Experience: Three to five years of payroll experience with proven ability to keep up-to-date on IRS payroll regulations pertaining to both US residents and nonresidents for tax purposes.
Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual must: Be able to utilize Colleague database software, Glacier nonresident alien tax software, and Business Objects reporting software to satisfactorily perform each essential duty.
Ability to utilize Microsoft Excel and read/write advanced Excel formulas is required.
Must be able to manage time effectively by prioritizing tasks, organizing information from many sources, and identifying problems early in the payroll process in order to meet tight payroll deadlines.
Must be able to read, analyze, and interpret payroll periodicals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and friends of the college PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT: Physical Demands: Sedentary work: involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time; includes exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or the ability to lift, carry, push or pull, or otherwise move objects with a negligible amount of force.
Work Environment: Pleasant, smoke free, air conditioned in summer and comfortably warm in winter.
Luther College offers an excellent benefit package including competitive health insurance premiums, generous retirement contribution, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, and tuition benefits for employee, spouse and dependents.
Additionally, Luther College offers an outstanding PTO program.
New full-time employees can earn up to 30 days of PTO per year, in addition to time off for holidays which includes a full week of holiday pay between Christmas and New Years’ Day.
Luther College seeks to build a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students.
Luther College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
Women and persons of diverse ethnic backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply.
We value the input of multiple viewpoints and perspectives to create an academic community rich with cultural, social, and intellectual diversity.
Candidates are encouraged to identify their strengths or experiences that will contribute to this goal.
To view the complete job description and apply for this position and all current openings, please go to the employment website at www.
luther.
edu/offices/hr/careers To apply, please click on the blue "Apply" button.
A resume and cover letter are required to be full considered for this position.