Job Title: Payroll Accountant - FT 40 hrs. per wk. This is an on-site position

Department: Finance

Reports To: Payroll Supervisor

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Salary Level: $22.00 to $30.00 / hr.

Summary: This is an on-site position. Under supervision of the Payroll Supervisor, performs all assigned aspects of bi-weekly payroll process. Coordinates with outside payroll service and responds to internal and external inquiries related to payroll, garnishments, and other pay-related matters. Performs balance sheet account reconciliations, journal entries, and analysis as assigned.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Payroll Duties:

Process bi-weekly payroll in accordance with established policies and procedures, ensuring accuracy, meeting all necessary deadlines and adhering to applicable regulatory requirements
Process manual payroll checks as needed
Process voluntary payroll deductions, such as 401(k) deferrals, health insurance premiums, and remit to appropriate entities in accordance with policy and regulatory requirements
Process involuntary deductions, such as levies and garnishments, performing related research and communicating with employees as needed
Process paid time off requests and maintain paid leave accrual balances in accordance with established policy
Resolve discrepancies regarding payroll, paid leave and other employee-related information, performing necessary research and review of payroll reports, regulatory requirements and other sources as needed
Maintain payroll database to ensure that employee information is updated and accurate and work with payroll service provider to resolve system problems
Maintain electronic and paper payroll records in accordance with established policies and procedures
Prepare and enter payroll-related journal entries into Quickbooks
Coordinate with payroll service provider, to ensure that accurate W-2 forms are mailed to employees each year before the deadline
Respond to all internal and external payroll-related requests in a timely manner, with an emphasis on excellent customer service
Communicate with Co-op staff, department supervisors/managers and Human Resources personnel as needed regarding payroll matters
Assist with regulatory audits as needed
Prepare special payroll-related reports and analyses for management, as requested

Accounting Duties

Prepare and record month-end closing journal entries, as assigned
Process health benefits and workers’ compensation insurance bills, ensuring accuracy of amounts paid; enter as bills into the general ledger
Perform balance sheet account reconciliations for payroll-related accounts, as well as others as assigned

Other Duties

Maintain strict confidentiality with regard to employees’ pay rates and other private information
Assist with administration of 401(k) retirement plan disbursements and enrollment changes
Assist with financial and regulatory audits as needed
Maintain documented procedure manuals for assigned duties
Recommend improvements to procedures in order to improve controls, accuracy and efficiency
Attend external workshops, network with other professionals, and participate in other outside activities in order to continue to develop as a payroll professional and to stay abreast of emerging regulatory issues
Other duties as assigned

Responsibilities Regarding Safety:

Protect the safety of self, co-workers, and BriarPatch Co-op patrons at all times
Report any potentially harmful equipment or situations to the immediate supervisor without delay
Report safety-related accidents and incidents at once to supervisor
Follow all company and safety policies and procedures
Operate equipment in a safe manner that will not lead to injury of self or others

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience:

High school diploma. AA degree and/or CPP certification preferred.
Minimum 2 years accounting and/or payroll experience
Demonstrated experience reconciling, analyzing, and reporting financial data
Demonstrated experience requiring high accuracy and attention to detail

Language Skills:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as policy/procedure manuals, financial reports, regulatory requirements, and other business information
Ability to write routine reports and correspondence
Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers, employees, and outside parties, both in writing and verbally

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals
Ability to compute rates, ratios, and percentages

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to deal with a variety of variables in order to solve practical problems
Ability to effectively prioritize work and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, changing environment with frequent interruptions
Ability to work independently and efficiently while maintaining a high degree of accuracy
Ability to compare and reconcile complex accounts and reports
Ability to perform basic research assignments, including research of laws and other regulatory requirements

Computer Skills: A qualified individual will have the following:

Basic understanding of one or more payroll processing software applications
Intermediate understanding of one or more accounting software applications
Intermediate understanding of Microsoft Excel
Intermediate understanding of Microsoft Word
Basic understanding of common internet search tools

Physical Demands: Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

Stand, walk, and sit for extended periods.
Use hands and fingers to handle, feel, and operate equipment.
Reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
Talk and hear; visually review detailed numerical data.
Occasionally taste or smell (as applicable to work environment).
Safely lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment: While performing job duties, the employee is regularly exposed to a moderate level of noise and occasional changes in temperature. This position requires long periods of sitting and extensive computer use.

Responsibilities to Sustainability:

Contribute to BriarPatch’s sustainability efforts to support a sustainable community by:
Minimizing waste by reducing and reusing materials and resources when possible.
Proper recycling and composting.
Water & energy conservation.

Responsibilities to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

Value and support a work environment that includes people of different identities and diverse backgrounds; promote respectful, equitable, and inclusive practices.