Payroll and Benefits Accountant - Temporary Assignment

The Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) provides low-income families in Norfolk, Virginia with safe and well-maintained housing. It also plans and administers large-scale residential redevelopment programs within Norfolk.

NRHA is an award-winning public housing authority that has been effective in obtaining private investment partners to fund new neighborhoods; improving low-income public housing; planning and building mixed-income communities; and offering programs that support residents receiving rental assistance on their path to self-sufficiency. NRHA aims to create and apply meaningful housing and neighborhood development programs to serve all residents of Norfolk, Virginia.

NRHA looks for people who want to work in a challenging and progressive environment and make a positive difference in the community.

NRHA seeks qualified candidates for Payroll and Benefits Accountant (Temporary – 2-3 Months Duration).

Summary

Maintains and assures the integrity of payroll accounts. Processes scheduled payrolls. Collects, verifies, and processes payroll information, payroll-related taxes, benefits, and other deductions. Reconciles accounts. Enters data into payroll software application and general ledger. Maintains and processes paid leave program data. Coordinates the distribution of employee pay statements and annual tax statements. Processes scheduled tax returns and other payroll tax functions. Maintains employment data, benefit payment and withholding data. Prepares payroll-related calculations. Administering employee benefits programs and determining eligibility.

Maintains electronic and hard-copy payroll files. Performs special assignments as directed. Accepts and performs general accounting assignments. Communicates with internal and external parties to assure proper coordination and functioning of payroll processes.

Essential Functions

• The Benefits and Payroll Accountant manages the company's payroll, ensuring work benefits and employee documents are secure. The accountant also delivers employees' issues and concerns to the company's proper channels. This position also helps in the audit of the company and ensures compliance with state and federal regulations. This administrative position requires bookkeeping knowledge, a bachelor's degree, and experience in using spreadsheets and accounting software. Completes weekly internal payroll and benefits reports and fund employee accounts (HSA and 401K). Assist employees with sensitive benefits, short- and long-term disability, FMLA and personal leaves.
• Help update employee manual covering issues including FMLA policy and benefits information.
• Audit payroll accounts to identify and correct delinquent and/or erroneous actions or timekeeping errors and reconstruct payment histories. Full implementation and accountability of ADP Payroll Conversion. Will serve as the team lead/ liaison with ADP. Analyzes existing systems, interface requirements, and business processes. Incorporates new processes, tools, and approaches when recommending and implementing ADP.
• Maintains and assures the integrity of payroll accounts: receives, reviews, and enters individual employee pay and pay withholding changes; balances general ledger to payroll accounts; reviews, analyzes, and reconciles accounts; applies accounting standards and organization policy to account decisions; reconciles payroll wages with the general ledger statistical wages; posts journal vouchers; prepares monthly bank reconciliation on payroll account; and acts to assure proper deductions for payroll withholding.
• Processes scheduled payrolls: reviews timecards via ADP Workforce Now; reviews and/or enters data on timecards; enters individual pay and withholding changes; operates payroll software application; conducts trial payroll run and balance; identifies discrepancies and acts to reconcile accounts; prepares final payroll run and balance; transmits payments by direct deposit; transmits tax, benefit, garnishment, lien, and other withholding payments; prepares and distributes employee pay advisory statements; prepares and transmits organization’s scheduled payroll tax payments and files tax returns; prepares and files payroll reports; maintains payroll processing records in both digital and hard copy formats; acts to maintain the security of payrolls and the payroll systems; and responds and takes action on employee pay processing issues.
• Maintains and processes paid leave program data: maintains current knowledge of paid and unpaid leave law, regulations, and policies; assures proper functioning of automated leave calculations; verifies and enters leave into attendance tracking application; prints and distributes leave statements and reports; files leave requests and leave reports; and responds to staff inquiries concerning leave.
• Processes scheduled tax returns and other payroll tax functions: enters tax withholding data; reconciles scheduled tax payments to the general ledger; prepares and electronically transmits scheduled payroll tax returns; and prepares and distributes W-2 tax forms.
• Prepares and submits labor, accounting, fringe benefits, and payroll-related reports and documents: designs and applies new database queries and reports on payroll-related issues; prepares and submits new hire report, monthly labor statistics report, and fiscal year-end audit reports; assists in the preparation of unemployment compensation and workers compensation documents; and prepares ad hoc payroll documents as assigned.
• Maintains benefit payment and withholding data enters benefit premium withholding data; acts to validate and assure data integrity; and makes employee and system changes during benefit enrollment periods.
• Prepares and submits calculations for management and staff, including but not limited to taxes for personal use of company vehicle or other equipment; tax for employees with excess life insurance; retroactive payments; and severance payments.
• Maintains electronic and hard-copy payroll files: compiles, organizes, and files individual and organization payroll documents.
• Performs special assignments as directed: conducts payroll research activities for employees and employer; evaluates impact on payroll of changes in policy and procedures; participates in information system/software application upgrades and changes; prepares third party sick-leave pay deposits and W-2 records; and participates in divisional and cross-divisional projects as assigned.
• Accepts and performs general accounting assignments: may be assigned to perform general ledger maintenance duties; prepare journal vouchers; assist and support financial audits; and advise staff on general accounting matters.
• Communicates with internal and external parties to assure proper coordination and functioning of payroll processes; included communications with software vendors, government representatives, auditors, and NRHA staff.
• Performs other related work as required.

Education, Experience, and Licenses

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting.
• Three to five years progressively responsible general accounting and payroll accounting experience.
• Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience necessary to obtain the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Certification as a Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive and current knowledge of general accounting concepts, principles, practices and procedures, particularly in the development of financial statements.
• Comprehensive and current knowledge of payroll accounting concepts, principles, practices and procedures, particularly in the development of financial statements.
• Comprehensive and current knowledge of governmental accounting concepts, principles and practices.
• Comprehensive knowledge of NRHA accounting procedures and systems.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Elite, ADP, Yardi accounting procedures and systems.
• Ability to work on multiple time-sensitive follow-ups / projects at the same time is essential to succeeding in this role. Communicate clearly and concisely sharing essential information.
• Skilled in using Microsoft Office products.
• Ability to prepare, interpret, analyze, and audit standard financial reports and records.
• Advanced skill in the operation of personal computers and software applications; must be able to enter data and use spreadsheet, accounting, human resources, word processing, presentation, and electronic communications software applications.
• Operational knowledge of small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems.
• Advanced skill in creating and maintaining accurate and complete accounting records.
• Human relations skills, including consulting, counseling, and negotiating skills. The jobholder must have the capacity to deal effectively with a wide variety of individuals.
• Oral and written communication skills to present and make comprehensible complex information regarding organization operations, of which some information may be highly technical in nature; provide clear work instructions; compose technical reports; make presentations before groups; and respond to questions on a variety of job-related matters.
• Analytical ability to comprehend, understand, and interpret complex and technical information, such as accounting procedures, regulations, and finance information, and to comprehend, understand, and interpret organizational and environmental factors that could have potential effects on the success of projects and programs.
• Ability to respond to frequent and complex questions on technical information.
• Ability to exercise initiative in the development and implementation of complex operational activities, and the formulation of programs and procedures.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, see, or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Job requires depth perception.

NRHA will consider equivalent substitutes for education and/or experience, provided that the candidate can demonstrate that he/she has obtained the knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of the job.

Those candidates who are selected for interview will be contacted directly by telephone. All other candidates will receive an email communication after the position is filled. This is a temporary position with an expected duration of 2-3 months.