Payroll Accountant

JOB LOCATION

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.
 
Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Hiring salary: $59,387.33 - $74,234.16/year 

The deadline to submit an application to this position is December 1, 2024. However, it is subject to close at any time once a qualified pool of applications is received.

OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT
This is a position within the Controller’s Office of the Finance Department. The Controller's Office is responsible for accounting and financial reporting, vendor and employee payments, grant management assistance, and internal financial controls.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Balances all taxes, produces form W-2’s, uploads to Workday, prints W=2’s uploads files to SSA website.
• Performs all annual accruals for General Ledger at year-end.
• Works with all external auditors to provide all payroll reporting annually for pension plans and PEHP’s.
• Works as lead to the payroll team in the absence of Payroll Supervisor
• Analyze data and prepare audit work papers for payroll-related functions for use in the Annual Finance Report (AFR) and other payroll-related audits
• Reviews fiscal source documents, validates payroll changes, and ensures accuracy of transactions entered into payroll system and accounting records
• Creates, collects, maintains databases, multiple pension accounts, spreadsheets and performs financial management report analysis
• Provides guidance and support to departments regarding payroll, time tracking, payroll processing and payroll system
• Reconciles complex GL payroll accounts including Flex Account transactions and forfeitures and self-insured accounts.
• Independently identifies, researches and resolves problems and issues
• Responds to and resolves inquiries, recommends improvements in workflow and completes software enhancements testing
• Provides training as necessary
• Performs other duties as assigned.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Education: 

• Bachelor's Degree in accounting, finance, business administration or related field

Experience: 

• Five (5) years of payroll-accounting experience. At least 2 years' progressively responsible experience in a large organization.

Abilities: 

• Knowledge of payroll administration, hiring and personnel practices, governmental financial principles, cash handling, word processing, management information systems, and related database and spreadsheet software applications.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and residents
• Handles sensitive or stressful situations with tact and diplomacy
• Communicates effectively both orally and in writing
• Compiles and accurately analyzes financial data
• Makes effective written and oral presentations and maintains the confidentiality of sensitive information.

Skills: 

• Strong interpersonal, analytical and organizational skills.
• Skill in the use of personal computers and related database and spreadsheet software applications.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Driver's License
• Certified Payroll Profession
• May vary depending on assignment

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential Personnel:

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the city, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.

Physical Demands:

• Light physical work lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds
• Occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing
• Frequent hand/eye coordination to operate office equipment
• Vision for reading, recording, and interpreting information
• Frequent speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and residents.

Work Environment:

• Essential duties performed primarily in an indoor office, public area setting.

Equipment Used:

• Personal computer and standard office equipment
• This position may require the incumbent to regularly use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.

For Veterans preference:  Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
           
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer.  We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants.  It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.
                                         
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace.  A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check and drug screening. Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.