Payroll Coordinator

All External Applicants should also complete an application.

CLARKSVILLE-MONTGOMERY COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM

CLARKSVILLE, TENNESSEE

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Payroll Coordinator                                          Department: Business Affairs

Grade:          501 starting: $90,329 - mid- range: $103,759

H.P.D             8

D.P.Y.            260

Job Description

Date Reviewed: January 2025                                            Reports To: Finance Director

Purpose of Job

The purpose of this job is to direct accounting and other fiscal services and perform managerial level accounting and supervisory functions to ensure that accounting, budgeting, and payroll records are maintained accurately and in accordance with generally accepted governmental accounting standards. Major areas of responsibility include coordinating fiscal services operations for the school system, interpreting and implementing fiscal policies and procedures, establishing internal controls for the district for payroll, reconciling and balancing accounts, preparing financial statements and reports, preparing and analyzing the payroll budget, records management, supervision of payroll staff, analysis of data and advanced problem solving.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this job. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Prepares and analyzes a wide variety of materials (e.g., reports for auditors, department administrators, and State Department of Education, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities and issues, meeting compliance requirements, and/or providing supporting materials for requested actions.

Researches financial topics (e.g., discrepancies, payroll and accounting guidelines, state guidelines, IRS guidelines etc.) for the purpose of evaluating compliance requirements and potential implications on district operations.

Participates as a member of the departmental leadership team. Makes recommendations regarding the establishment of payroll policies, procedures and internal controls for the district.

Assists in directing payroll operations, the maintenance of services and the implementation of new programs and/or processes for the purpose of achieving organizational objectives and ensuring compliance with legal, financial and district requirements within established timeframes.

Works with the Payroll Manager to guarantee disbursement of bi-weekly payrolls and monthly payrolls for varying groups of exempt and non-exempt employees with multiple contract calendars for a payroll budget over $400 million. Critically reviews and analyzes current payroll procedures in order to recommend and implement changes leading to best-practice operations.

Directly oversees and approves the payment of additional pay and stipends as submitted to the department ensuring that payments are within budget. Communicates actively with program managers to resolve any discrepancies and ensure the accuracy of payments, account codes and the timeliness of payment.

Collects, reviews, and reports the Tennessee Parental Leave to the state in order to receive reimbursement for eligible expenditures. Works with HR to ensure processes are followed and recommends process improvements if necessary. Communicates with the department leadership any issues regarding this process.

Supervises and directs the daily work for the Payroll Accountant.

Reviews and analyzes the FTE reconciliations and payroll/benefit projections performed by the Administrative Analytical Specialist.

Directly involved in the annual preparation of Health Care Information Forms for Individuals (Form 1095-C). 

Ensures accuracy of payroll data by analyzing data for every payroll run. 

Calculates, analyzes, and reports to department leadership the payroll budget for general purpose, child nutrition, transportation, and insurance trust funds. Assists the CFO and Finance Director in the preparation of the payroll annual budget. Continuously monitors payroll budgets during the year for all payrolls.

Interprets and implements applicable district, state, and federal policies, laws and regulations regarding payroll.

Acts as liaison between department end-users and information technology in the transition of information to new payroll software applications.

Maintains a comprehensive working knowledge of the district’s enterprise resource planning system (MUNIS). Performs a significant role in MUNIS system analysis, problem identification, and the recommendation of solutions to senior management and information technology.

Imports data into MUNIS system as necessary to maximize efficiency. Exports data from MUNIS system to use in data analysis.

Responsible for year-end close out procedures to include but not limited to:

• verifying that all payroll entries have been made using appropriate expense recognition principles
• ensuring all supporting payroll documentation for year-end information is accurate and maintained
• ensuring that all reports for auditors are prepared and maintained
• validating the accrued payroll and benefit accounts are reconciled and balanced
• validating the accrued compensated leave spreadsheet is reconciled and balanced
• settling accounts between funds for summer distribution and salary advancements
• creating invoices to charge insurance trust or schools for the benefits for applicable certain employee benefits 
• ensuring any Tennessee Parental Leave is report and reimbursed (and potentially accrued) for the fiscal year and communicating to team members the status
• perform detail analysis of payroll accounts to ensure there are no errors
• verifying any “return to work” retirees eligible for retirement have been invoiced by TCRS and paid

Maintains a variety of manual and electronic fiscal information, files and records for the purpose of providing an up-to-date reference and audit trail and ensuring compliance with retention standards.

Consults with Information Systems personnel and third-party software vendors concerning necessary updates and changes and problems with existing software applications and enhancements to enable the department to work more efficiently.   

Coordinates and implements plans to test payroll and accounting processes on new modules and quality assurance testing on new versions.

Provides technical assistance and guidance to all system users regarding use and functionality of the financial software package used by the school system. Coordinates problem resolution activities for the department with the software vendor.

Researches and resolves problems of the most complex difficulty pertaining to all aspects of fiscal services. Provides technical advice to staff, department heads and principals regarding accounting policies and procedures. Resolves issues pertaining to vendor payments.

Continuously analyzes operations to streamline accounting processes and improve efficiencies.

Cover for the Payroll Manager in case of absence.

Additional Job Function

Performs other duties as required.

Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

A Bachelor’s degree in accounting or in a related field with 24 semester hours of accounting coursework. Experience equivalent to four years or more in accounting to include payroll experience. One of the four years must have been in the business department of a local education agency. Additional years of qualifying experience may be substituted for each year of the college requirement. A Masters degree in a related field or a CPA certificate may be substituted for one year of the required experience. Must be an intermediate or advanced user in Microsoft Excel. Functional knowledge of an enterprise resource planning software system (i.e., Munis, SAP, Oracle) is required. Supervisory experience is desirable.

KNOWLEDGE OF JOB

Has general knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the School System and general office practices as they pertain to the performance of duties relating to the job of Payroll Coordinator. Has general knowledge of Business Office and general office practices as necessary in the completion of daily responsibilities. Knows how to develop and administer operations and staff plans and objectives for the expedience and effectiveness of specific duties of the department. Knows how to keep abreast of any changes in policy, methods, computer operations, equipment needs, etc. as they pertain to departmental operations and activities. Is able to effectively communicate and interact with supervisors, members of the general public and all other groups involved in the activities of the department. Is able to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear and effective manner. Has good organizational, human relations, and technical skills. Is able to use independent judgment and discretion in supervising subordinates, including the handling of emergency situations, determining and deciding upon procedures to be implemented, setting priorities, maintaining standards and resolving problems. Has the ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and related information. Has comprehensive knowledge of the terminology, principles, and methods utilized within the department. Has the mathematical ability to handle required calculations. Is knowledgeable and proficient with computers. Is able to read, understand and interpret financial reports and related materials.