PAYROLL TECHNICIAN

PAYROLL TECHNICIAN

General Statement of Duties

Performs technical and specialized governmental accounting work related to processing payroll in the County Finance Department.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class performs a variety of accounting tasks in processing the County payroll. Duties include verifying that time and leave records comply with County policies and FLSA regulations; entering work time and leave; verifying pay and benefit changes; and interpreting and applying the County’s personnel and payroll policies to unusual situations. This position is responsible for computing and issuing payroll and producing a variety of payroll records and related reports, including monthly tax reports, quarterly 941 and NC tax and wage reports, annual W-2 forms, 1095-C reports, and fringe benefits reports.

Accounting duties include monthly bank reconciliations for various accounts and assisting with annual audits. Work involves applying established fiscal procedures, principles of bookkeeping, and personnel policies to the duties performed. Frequent contact is maintained with Human Resources, departmental employees, and supervisors. Independent judgment and initiative are required in the performance of duties. Work is performed under the supervision of the Finance Director and is evaluated through conferences, accuracy and completeness of payroll, and independent audits of financial records.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Tasks

• Prepares semi-monthly, monthly, and future bi-weekly payrolls for the County; checks payroll spreadsheets for accuracy; makes adjustments to records; contacts departments or employees about problem areas.
• Runs payroll; verifies accuracy and balances; processes direct deposits and cuts checks; disburses stubs to the departments.
• Reconciles, balances, and files required payroll reports to federal and state agencies, including maintaining monthly ACA records; generates and distributes W-2s and 1095-Cs; answers questions related to tax forms; prepares and submits quarterly tax and wage reports for unemployment and 941s.
• Reconciles various bank statements; locates missing information; ensures checks cleared by the bank are cleared from the accounting system; resolves discrepancies; balances statements; creates spreadsheets for journal entries.
• Maintains confidentiality of personnel and payroll information; answers questions regarding employee pay and deductions in accordance with state law and employee authorization.
• Works with Human Resources to verify personnel action form information for new hires and changes; ensures proper pay for employees out due to injury or on FMLA.
• Shares responsibility with the Finance Director for conducting annual internal audits; assists external auditors with the annual audit of payroll records; creates spreadsheets for auditors; reconciles 941s with the General Ledger.
• Assists with other Finance Office duties such as accepting payments from employees, citizens, and vendors; issuing receipts; processing credit card transactions; entering journal entries; and creating bank deposits for electronic and at the bank transactions.

Payroll Technician 

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Additional Job Duties

• Performs related duties as required.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of personnel payroll practices and principles and their relationship to accounting and legal requirements.
• Considerable knowledge of County functions and account structures as they relate to schedules, time recording, payroll, and accounting processes.
• Working knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, policies, and practices related to accounting and payroll functions.
• Working knowledge of modern office practices including computer operations, payroll/accounting applications and financial reporting.
• Skill in the use of information technology equipment and associated software, such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases, for developing letters and forms, compiling records, and generating reports.
• Ability to understand and apply policies and regulations in maintaining financial and payroll records.
• Ability to use judgment and discretion in handling payroll and accounting-related issues.
• Ability to manage multiple, potentially competing priorities efficiently and effectively.
• Ability to verify accounting and payroll documents for accuracy and completeness.
• Ability to make arithmetic computations accurately, efficiently, and with reasonable speed.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, coworkers, payroll vendors, insurance carriers, auditors, and the general public.

 Physical Requirements

• Must be able to perform the basic life operational skills of stooping, reaching, walking, lifting, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions such as typing and filing.
• Must be able to perform sedentary work, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, or otherwise move objects.
• Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, perform accounting work, operate a computer terminal, and perform extensive reading.

Payroll Technician 

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Desirable Education and Experience

Graduation from a college or university with an Associate degree and considerable experience in an accounting or fiscal office environment, preferably with payroll experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirement

Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license.

Columbus County
2025

Click below to apply

https://www.cognitoforms.com/columbuscountync1/columbuscountyemploymentapplication