Payroll Technician

Responsible for processing payroll, calculating salary and wage changes, employee deductions and benefits-new and changes. Responsible for bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly payroll reporting. This includes: Forms W2, 941, MN-1,MN Unemployment, MN Retirement (PERA) Deferred Compensation, Health Care Savings and Flexible Spending. Perform detailed accounting work in the areas of payroll and general accounting. 

70%   Payroll processing, computation, and reporting

15%   Cash receipts processing, coding and commitment

10%   Leave time records management 

 3%   Audit preparation 

 2%  Miscellaneous

Responsibilities

The essential function of the position include, but are not limited to the following:

Payroll

• Prepare and process payroll and all payroll related reports and submit to appropriate entities
• Maintain employee records including hire dates, class dates, job titles, bargaining units, wage steps, benefit status and bonding class codes
• Timesheet entry, calculation, general ledger distribution and filing of electronic remittance
• Enroll, report and file exclusions for employee Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association
• Completes employee income and mortgage verifications as requested
• Determine appropriate payroll deductions including benefits and wage changes for each employee and update as necessary. Calculate general wage adjustments. Prepare deductions and reports
• Meet deadlines
• Prepare and submit quarterly and year-end reports including W-2, 941, MN Withholding and unemployment, MN retirement (PERA) 
• Reconcile wages at year-end and processes W-2's.
• Analyze union contracts for holiday pay. Calculate and prepare holiday pay.
• Prepare wage and benefit schedules for budget.
• Respond to surveys
• Stay up to date on Federal, State and PERA changes such as changes in W4s, PERA changes and withholding rates. 

Cash Receipts Processing

• Process and commit for desk top deposit, UB deposits, Web and bill pay deposits
• Code payments received with General Ledger account information for daily entry

Leave Time Records Management

• Maintain and monitor yearly, new and biweekly accruals for vacation, sick leave, and comp time
• Calculate and process year end and separation pay (final and vacation payout, license and holiday pay)

Audit Preparation

• Prepare year end reports for annual audit
• Prepare Workers Compensation audit

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as apparent or assigned.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Required Qualifications:

Education

• High School Diploma or GED Certificate

Experience

• Five (5) years of experience in Payroll or Accounting

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associates degree in Accounting
• Demonstrated experience in use of government financial software 
• Knowledge and training in Minnesota Public Employee’s Retirement Association engagement

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills

• Knowledge of accounting principles and practices. 
• Knowledge of collective bargaining agreements and payroll processing in a union setting.
• Ability to assess problems and follow through to a successful conclusion.
• Ability to establish priorities, adjust workload on a daily basis, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to show organization in completing work assignments and maintaining department records.
• Working knowledge of software and hardware including Microsoft Office, Outlook, and payroll and accounting software. 
• Demonstrated ability to identify, initiate and carry out tasks independently. 
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. 
• Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with others. 
• Ability to understand and carry out moderately complex oral and written instructions. 
• Complete understanding of a computer-based payroll system and general understanding of a financial accounting system. 
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and demands. 
• Ability to respond in a courteous and professional manner with both internal and external customers. Ability to respond to inquiries in a timely manner. 
• Ability to research an issue, understand the impact of a new policy or procedure, and recommend a course of action. 
• Ability to work with difficult customers. 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.