Payroll Accountant

The Payroll Accountant is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll for all County employees, maintaining payroll and personnel data, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. In addition to core payroll responsibilities, this position serves as a key resource for payroll systems, reporting, and process improvement initiatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Processes payrolls with a high degree of accuracy and timeliness.

Support on employee payroll records, earnings, deductions, taxes, and leave balances.

Prepare and file payroll taxes, garnishments, and retirement contributions.

Reconcile payroll data and support year-end processes (W-2s, audit support).

Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies and employee inquiries.

Ensure compliance with FLSA, IRS, Wisconsin retirement regulations, and County policies.

Serve as a payroll system expert, supporting configuration, testing, and troubleshooting.

Work with Finance, HR, and IT to improve system workflows, integrations, and data accuracy.

Maintain documentation for payroll processes and internal controls.

Develop and produce payroll-related reports.

Identify opportunities for automation and process improvements.

Participate in HRIS enhancements and payroll-related project initiatives.

Support training, communication, and implementation of new procedures.

Responsible for the application and implementation of all existing union contracts, the wage schedules, and County policies as related to payroll, in coordination with the Department of Administration.

Verifies wages, employment, and other information to appropriate parties as necessary or requested.

It is unlikely an employee will perform all the duties listed on a regular basis, nor is the list exhaustive in the sense it covers all the duties an employee may be required to perform. The examples are merely indicative, not restrictive.

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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business, human resources, or related field with experience in payroll processing desired, and/or government or multi-unit payroll experience is a plus; or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to utilize strong basic arithmetic and proficiency in leveraging Excel for analytical thinking, while managing extreme attention to detail and numerical accuracy. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of quantitative and/or qualitative variables. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of word processing software, spreadsheet software, payroll systems, and other related business accounting software.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

None required

Other Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of policies and procedures relating to payroll and fringe benefit management processing and ability to readily acquire knowledge of County accounting and payroll systems.

Knowledge of basic accounting principles relating to payroll processing, and an understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and procedures, and governmental accounting.

Ability to coordinate and implement payroll and accounting systems in a large, multi-department organization.

Ability to establish and meet work deadlines and stay on task with constant interruptions, and comprehensive knowledge of filing and record maintenance procedures.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, County officials and officers and the general public contacted in the course of work.

Ability to influence, coach, and mentor department and cross-functional team members.

Ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of work.

Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 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 sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk and stoop, kneel, and crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

The benefits listed below represent an employee who works full-time (100%). Regular part-time employees working half time or more per week shall receive fringe benefits on a prorated basis.

1. PTO. (Paid Time Off). Calumet County's PTO Plan combines vacation, sick leave, and bereavement leave into a single leave plan – PTO. Newly hired full-time employees will be credited with six (6) days of PTO immediately upon hire. Employees will immediately accrue PTO upon hire. The accrual will be based on the employee's length of service with the County. PTO may be carried over from year to year provided the balance does not exceed the maximum allowable amount.

2. ELB. (Extended Leave