Payroll Manager in Fairfax Station, Virginia at NOVA Parks

NOVA Parks is seeking a full-time Payroll Manager to join our Finance and Accounting Department. This position is responsible for the complete administration and processing of in-house payroll, ensuring timely and accurate compensation for full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees across multiple park locations.

The Payroll Manager performs all aspects of the bi-weekly payroll cycle using Microsoft Dynamics GP with data from UKG Timekeeping managed by HR, including payroll processing, payroll accounting, tax reporting, regulatory compliance, reconciliations, year-end reporting, and maintenance of payroll records. This position serves as NOVA Park’s payroll subject matter expert and works closely with Human Resources, Accounting, Accounts Payable, and external agencies to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations as well as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Governmental Accounting Standards Board requirements.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, analytical, customer-service oriented, and committed to maintaining confidentiality while providing exceptional payroll services to approximately 150 full-time employees and a large seasonal workforce.

Candidates will be successful in this position if you are an accountant with an understanding of debits, credits, and financial statements and data management with experience in processing payroll in electronic accounting software, and exhibit strong attention to detail, organization skills, including ability to prioritize, communicate, and multitask while working efficiently under deadlines. To be considered for this position, please complete the online application form and provide a current resume.

Hiring Salary Range: $90,000 - $100,000

To be considered, apply by 5 p.m. on August 7, 2026

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (with illustrative examples of work)

Payroll Administration

• Perform complete in-house bi-weekly payroll processing for full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees.
• Review payroll edit reports, exception reports, and audit listings to verify payroll accuracy prior to processing.
• Using UKG Timekeeping reports validate and reconcile approved hours to payroll registers. Note, Payroll master files including employee earnings, deductions, tax withholdings, direct deposit information, and payroll records are maintained by HR in UKG.
• Ensure all employee pay, leave balances, overtime, bonus pay, holiday pay, and other earnings are processed accurately.
• Process direct deposits, manual checks, create payroll run and post accounting entries for payroll adjustments, and payroll corrections.
• Process child support payments online and mail garnishments and levies each pay period.
• Balance payroll registers and reconcile payroll totals prior to posting payroll to the general ledger.
• Maintain payroll security and confidentiality in accordance with applicable laws and Authority policies.

Payroll Accounting

• Prepare and post bi-weekly payroll journal entries to the general ledger.
• Record wages, employer-paid benefits, payroll taxes, employee withholdings, accrued liabilities, and related payroll transactions.
• Prepare month-end and fiscal year-end payroll accruals, including salaries, wages, payroll taxes, compensated absences, and related liabilities.
• Reconcile payroll subledger balances to the general ledger. Create adjusting journal entries if needed.
• Perform monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll account reconciliations.
• Prepare external audit requests related to payroll.
  

Payroll Tax Compliance

• Prepare, reconcile, and file all required federal, state, and local payroll tax returns.
• Prepare and submit quarterly Forms 941 and related payroll tax filings and remittances.
• Prepare state unemployment tax reports (SUTA), Virginia Employment Commission filings, remittances and other required payroll reports.
• Prepare monthly state withholding returns and ensure timely tax deposits.
• Monitor payroll tax law changes and implement required system or procedural updates.
• Coordinate payroll tax payments with Accounts Payable and ensure timely remittance.

Year End Payroll Reporting

• Prepare annual payroll reconciliations.
• Generate and distribute Forms W-2 to the Fed, states and employees.
• Prepare and file Forms W-3, VA-6, VEC-20, and other required year-end payroll reports.
• Coordinate payroll year-end balancing and reconciliation with general ledger balances.
• Complete payroll calendar year roll-forward activities within Microsoft Dynamics GP
  

Systems Administration

• Maintain payroll tables, deduction codes, earnings codes, tax rates, and payroll configuration within Microsoft Dynamics GP. Setup new pay, benefit, deduction codes and taxability in GP.
• Coordinate the payroll interfaces with HR between UKG Timekeeping and Microsoft Dynamics GP.
• Test payroll system updates, patches, and enhancements.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processing efficiency through technology and process improvements.
• Assist in implementation of payroll-related system enhancements and software upgrades.

Customer Service

• Forward correspondence to HR to respond to employee payroll questions regarding pay, deductions, taxes, direct deposit, and leave balances.
• Work collaboratively with Human Resources regarding employee status changes, benefit deductions, and payroll setup.
• Maintain professional and courteous relationships with employees, government agencies, auditors, and external vendors.
  

Additional Responsibilities

• Assist with annual external financial audit and if necessary, payroll compliance audits.
• Maintain payroll procedures and internal control documentation.
• Recommend process improvements to strengthen internal controls and increase efficiency.
• Maintain compliance with federal and state wage and hour regulations.
• Participate in special accounting and payroll projects.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS (minimum)

Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or closely related field.

Physical: Non-manual work with strength and dexterity necessary to perform required tasks, including lifting, stooping, bending, and working in indoor settings.

Experience: Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible payroll experience, including complete payroll processing.

• Experience processing similar size employee payrolls using an integrated payroll and accounting system.
• Strong knowledge of payroll accounting principles and payroll tax compliance.
• Experience preparing federal and state payroll tax filings.
• Demonstrated experience preparing payroll journal entries and account reconciliations.
• Working knowledge of enterprise-resource planning (ERP) systems. Experience using accounting systems and modules, such as Dynamics 365, Microsoft Dynamics GP, NetSuite, Sage, Oracle, OpenGov, Tyler, etc.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Knowledge of Virginia payroll regulations
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation.
• Governmental accounting or public sector payroll experience.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics GP Payroll.
• Experience using UKG Timekeeping and Payroll.
• Experience working with large seasonal or hourly workforces.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful candidate will demonstrate

• Comprehensive knowledge of payroll accounting, journal entries, and payroll tax regulations.
• Ability to interpret payroll laws and regulations.
• Strong attention to detail with exceptional accuracy.
• Ability to analyze payroll discrepancies and resolve issues independently.
• Strong reconciliation and balancing skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication skills to effectively communicate with employees at all organizational levels and external stakeholders in person, by telephone, and in writing.
• Thorough understanding of payroll internal controls and compliance requirements.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications.
• Proven experience to learn and utilize enterprise financial systems and reporting tools.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment while maintaining confidentiality of sensitive payroll information.

Duties and responsibilities are designed to be the essential elements of the job. They do not preclude the performance of related, or even unrelated, jobs which may be necessary to properly and efficiently complete all work assignments. NOVA Parks reserves the right to amend job specifications to meet current needs.

Benefits: This position is a benefit eligible position. Benefits include medical and dental insurance, life insurance, long-term disability, retirement plan, and more.

Background Check: The successful candidate will be required to undergo a thorough pre-employment background check.

It is the policy of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-352-5900 and ask for Human Resources for assistance.