Payroll Staff Accountant at McKendree University – Lebanon, Illinois

Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Payroll Staff Accountant will be responsible for calculating and filing payroll taxes, preparing financial reports, and maintaining strict compliance with federal and state regulations and university policies. Apply Generally Accepted Accounting Principles to record financial information, prepare financial statement reports, and conduct financial analyses and audits. Develop and implement internal accounting processes and controls related to payroll general ledgers. Assist other staff with accounting or special projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Implement, maintain, and review payroll processing and accounting systems to ensure timely and accurate processing of payroll transactions including salaries, benefits, garnishments, taxes, and other deductions.
• Process federal and state withholdings, payments, quarterly and annual filings; create tax accounts for new states; test and implement new tax updates.
• Prepare and assist with reviewing audit reconciliations and documentation as needed for internal and external audits such as financial reports, financial notes, transmittal letters, financial statistical letters, and fraud surveys.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations related to payroll, including tax withholding, benefits, and payroll deductions.
• Prepare journal entries related to benefits and scholarships to ensure entries align with generally accepted accounting principles.
• Assist with budgeting and reporting requirements to include but not limited to EADA, NCAA, and internal salary and benefit forecasting.
• Develop and implement processes and procedures to improve payroll efficiency and accuracy.
• Reconcile payroll accounts and resolve any discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Prepare and maintain accurate employee data, records and reports of payroll transactions.
• Communicate with employees regarding payroll-related inquiries and issues.
• Assist with other accounting and finance functions as needed.

Required Qualifications and Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field.
• At least 1-3 years of accounting experience.

• Ability to interpret and understand payroll accounting principles and practices.
• Knowledge of federal and state payroll regulations.
• Ability to demonstrate high skill levels in Excel and other tools for accounting, financial analysis and reporting, and to analyze complex financial and statistical data and determine their significance.
• Ability to monitor and evaluate fiscal and/or accounting activities and internal controls.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a higher education institution preferred.
• Experience with a financial records system is preferred.
• Experience with Ellucian ERP.