Payroll Analyst

Come be part of our dynamic Finance team as a Payroll Analyst, where your expertise will help drive efficiency and accuracy. Under general direction, this position is responsible for technical, administrative and accounting duties in the development, implementation and administration of payroll operations. This incumbent applies written and analytical skills to gather and analyze information for payroll business processes and improvements, and leads, oversees and performs a variety of specialized and technical duties in the processing of payroll, implementation, configuration, operation maintenance, upgrades, testing and training of the City’s payroll system.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

There are two levels in this series, Payroll Analyst and Senior Payroll Analyst.

Payroll Analyst

This is the journey level of this series.  Incumbents perform a full range of standard work procedures, operations and tasks.  Work involves planning, organizing and initiating tasks and is performed under general supervision, and in accordance with established policies, procedures and legal requirements.

Senior Payroll Analyst

This is the advanced, fully experienced level of the series.  Work requires a higher level of technical knowledge and significant analytical skills.   Incumbents contribute to strategic planning, develop and implement City-wide initiatives, projects and programs.   These positions work independently with minimal supervision and may supervise, guide and coordinate the work of other staff as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

• Reports to the Finance Director or Deputy Finance Director.

EQUITY STATEMENT

The City of Issaquah strives to be a diverse workforce that is representative of the community we serve.  We value a variety of perspectives and life experiences and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.  Applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected status under federal, state and local laws.  We believe diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to the success of our City operations.

• Performs timely and accurate preparation of City payrolls.
• Ensures that payroll complies with Federal and State requirements; monitors new legislation and recommends changes to policy and processing.
• Processes payments employees and makes deposits to State and Federal agencies and other benefit providers.
• Prepares monthly and annual balancing procedures to facilitate reporting requirements pursuant to Federal, State and local laws.
• Responds to garnishment and inquiries and tracks disbursements appropriately to facilitate reporting requirements.
• Maintains electronic and, if necessary, manual payroll changes for new terminating, and active employees. Maintains electronic and/or manual leave requests and associated accrual files. Compiles payroll statistics and costs pursuant to varying management and/or Union requests. Coordinates applicable information and/or requests with Human Resources to maintain compliance with City policy, collective bargaining agreements and State and Federal laws.
• Provides technical assistance regarding the processing of payroll and resolving payroll issues; answers employee inquiries regarding payroll procedures and calculations; responds to verbal and written inquiries from supervisors, managers and outside agencies.
• Leads or assists in implementation of new payroll systems modules, payroll system upgrades, or new processes and procedures.
• Participates in or leads testing of payroll system functionality.
• Develops and implements training for staff on new or existing systems, processes, and procedures related to payroll.
• Coordinates with Human Resources to monitor policy; establishes payroll procedures to ensure compliance with City, State and Federal requirements.
• Coordinates with Human Resources on implementation and interpretation of collective bargaining agreements.
• Reviews/monitors employee timesheet data to verify appropriate administration of leave policies and applicable coordination with employees. Coordinates and provides information to Human Resources to ensure compliance with City policy and State and Federal requirements.
• Coordinates annual open enrollment changes with Human Resources staff to ensure accurate and timely implementation of insurance changes. Processes monthly changes for payment of various insurance premiums, including but not limited to medical, dental, vision and life insurance.
• Coordinates annual year-end processes.
• Oversees annual creation and distribution of W-2 forms.
• Evaluates payroll policies and procedures and develops, recommends, and implements changes in policy or procedure to improve efficiency or accuracy of payroll processing.
• Identifies and resolves accounting systems problems.
• Trains staff to act as backup to Payroll Analyst; directs the work of staff in performance of payroll duties.
• Provides limited backup to utility operations.
• Assists with the annual budget process by developing salary and benefit forecasting. Prepares complex research and develops reports for management as requested. Performs and or supervises cash receiving, accounting for an, and safeguarding as required. Issues receipts, classifies and codes transactions.
• Assists in the preparation of the annual financial report.
• Performs accounting functions such as journal entries and research.
• Anticipates, assesses, and responds effectively to the needs of diverse customers, both internal and external, by consistently providing excellent customer service that is timely, accurate, courteous, and respectful.
• Provides ongoing Citywide end-user training and oversight of the payroll system.
• Coordinates and maintain audits associated with payroll.
• Assists in developing procedures and reporting formats to establish or improve specific accounting processes.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting or Business Administration, or a related field; and
• three years of payroll/accounting experience; or
• any combination that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is generally performed in an office environment, incumbent may be required to push, pull, lift and or carry objects weighing up to 20 pounds.

TELEWORK CONSIDERATIONS

The incumbent in this position will be expected to complete a telework agreement and work in a hybrid capacity (partial telework, partial in office) minimum of two days in office per week.  The incumbent must be available to attend in person meetings as needed to fulfill the duties of this position.

Knowledge of:

• Payroll principles and practices.
• Federal and State wage and hour laws.
• Governmental accounting and auditing practices and Washington State BARS accounting system.
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Government Accounting Standard Board (GASB)

Skill in:

• Using computers and applicable software programs, including Word, Excel and electronic mail.

Ability to:

• Perform statistical, mathematical and financial analysis; interpret the data.
• Review salary, financial and other data for accuracy.
• Analyze and draw conclusions from data and statistics.
• Read and interpret documents, including collective bargaining agreements and legal regulations.
• Work under pressure and/or continual interruptions, and to deal with a variety of deadlines of both an immediate and flexible nature.
• Communicate effectively with the public, other employees, using tact discretion and courtesy.
• Perform arithmetic computations accurately and quickly.
• Operate standard office equipment such as calculators, printers and a personal computer.
• Apply general accounting principles to the account records and the preparation of financial reports.
• Maintain effective working relationships with officials, staff, and the general-public.
• Understand complex written and oral instructions.
• Formulate and design forms graphs and program spreadsheets.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Work independently and make decisions under broad guidelines.
• Maintain confidentiality of work-related issues, records, employee and City information.