Payroll/ Accounting Technician II

GENERAL DEFINITION AND CONDITIONING OF WORK:
Performs technical and specialized governmental accounting work processing and maintaining the payroll for the Town. 
An employee in this class performs a variety of tasks in checking time records, computing and issuing the payroll, and maintaining related payroll records.

• Maintain and process payroll deductions.
• Apply established fiscal procedures, principles of bookkeeping, personnel policies, and approved procedures to the duties performed. 
• Prepare payroll related documents and reports, personnel actions, insurance forms and other related statements and fiscal forms.
• Independent judgement 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 balanced accounts, and by independent audit of financial records.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/TYPICAL TASKS:
The employee may perform a combination of some or all of the following duties and other duties which may be assigned by the Town of Smithfield.

• Prepares payrolls for the Town; collects and calculates time sheets; enters changes and account numbers; adds or terminates employees; adjusts leave without pay and enters leave taken.
• Audits and verifies time sheets; contacts departments or employees about problem areas.
• Checks accuracy of payroll list before running checks; runs edit list for payroll; rechecks/proofs changes; checks and balances deductions; calculates and re-verifies; prints checks.
• Prepares journal entries for various payroll functions.
• Maintains sick and vacation leave balances.
• Competes payroll and distributes W-2’s; answers questions about these tax forms.
• Works with the auditor on questions and documents concerning the payroll.
• Maintains confidentiality of personnel and payroll information.
• Serves as liaison to human resources office on payroll problems and issues.
• Organizes and maintains files for payroll documents.
• Process monthly retirement through ORBIT software with NC Department of State Treasurer.
• Inputs entries for the general ledger.
• Performs manual journal entries
• Generates monthly departmental reports of budget status.
• Processes voided checks and maintains list of O/S checks.
• Assists the HR Director with related tasks as requested.
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EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree, to include coursework for a Certified Payroll Professional, and less than 2 years of experience in an accounting or fiscal office environment; or
• Graduation from two-year business school or community college, to include courses for a Certified Payroll Professional, and 2 to 5 years of experience in an accounting or fiscal office environment; or
• Graduation from high school with business courses and 7 to 10 years of experience in an accounting or fiscal office environment; or
• Equivalent combination of education and experience. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of state/federal payroll laws, rules, regulations, policies and practices to follow in the payroll function.
• Knowledge of payroll practices and principles and their relationship to accounting requirements.
• Ability to understand and apply policies and regulations to the maintenance of financial and payroll records and reports.
• Ability to use calculating, posting, adding machines and automated equipment for the maintenance of payroll records.
• Ability to make arithmetic computations accurately and with reasonable speed.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department heads, employees and the general public.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms.
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in handling payroll and personnel related issues.