Accountant II - Payroll in Royal Oak, Michigan at Royal Oak, City of (MI)

Please see attached for full detailed job description: Accountant II - Payroll Job Description

The Accountant II – Payroll provides professional ownership over the City’s payroll operations and related financial reporting to ensure absolute accuracy and fiscal integrity. This role requires technical expertise to independently interpret and apply complex regulatory frameworks, including federal and state laws, city ordinances, and various employee agreements.

A successful incumbent must exercise a high degree of independent judgment and analytical skill to manage the sensitive intersection of rules governing employee pay and governmental accounting with a strong commitment to confidentiality. Beyond primary payroll, the position serves as a technical resource for general ledger maintenance, bank reconciliations, and audit preparation. This position reports directly to the Assistant Finance Director.
A Accountant II – Payroll may be called upon to do any or all of the following: (These examples do not include all of the tasks which the employee may be expected to perform.)

Please see attached for full detailed job description: Accountant II - Payroll Job Description

• Payroll Administration (Primary Focus)
• Tax & Compliance
• Bank Reconciliations (Secondary Focus)
• Financial Reporting & Analysis
• Process Improvement & Support
• Other Duties as Assigned

A Accountant II – Payroll, upon application, shall have the following experience and training:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of four (4) years of experience in accounting or finance with similar responsibilities (municipal experience preferred).
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) preferred.

Qualifications for Employment:

• Strong knowledge of payroll systems, accounting principles, and applicable laws.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, formulas, data analysis) strongly desired.
• Experience with BS&A or similar financial software preferred.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities under shifting deadlines.
• Ability to maintain strict ethical and confidential boundaries in a close-knit municipal environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a focus on professionalism and confidentiality.

Required Application Materials to submit with this application (provide as attachments):

• Resume
• Cover Letter