Payroll Specialist at Gaston College

Salary $40,000.00 Annually

Location  Dallas, NC

Job Type Full-Time Regular Staff

Job Number 2022-00619

Division Finance and Operations

Department Accounting Services

Opening Date 01/15/2025

SUMMARY

Open until filled-

Prepare institution’s monthly payroll and maintain related files; process financial reports including, but not limited to, monthly and quarterly reports, fiscal year-end reports, calendar year-end reports, and all benefit reconciliations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Generate monthly full and part-time payroll; review and analyze payroll data submitted, calculate earnings, and enter all data; process payroll, verify accuracy of data, and post to general ledger; prepare manual checks as necessary.
2. Communicate and coordinate with Human Resources on new hires, retirements, and other payroll changes. Enter all new employees and assign a position and budget code. Update position codes and make payroll coding changes for existing employees as needed.
3. Enter all information to process full-time and part-time continuing education payroll.
4. Issue manual checks as needed.
5. Process encumbrances on a monthly basis.
6. Maintain all payroll files and enter all deduction changes and insurance for monthly payroll.
7. Monitor monthly, quarterly, and yearly payroll timelines to ensure all deadlines and requirements are met.
8. Compile information for Longevity report. Process longevity payments monthly.  
9. Compile salary and benefit information for internal and external reports.

1. Process monthly deposits of Federal, State, and FICA taxes. Submit report electronically.
2. Compile and transmit employee direct deposits electronically, request check from accounts payable, and ensure deposit to the bank by required due date.

1. Compile information and transmit 401K, 457B, and Roth IRAs to Empower and submit electronically by the required due date.
2. Compile information and transmit ORBIT Retirement file by required due date.
3. Manage payroll-related functions of Section 125 Cafeteria Plan.
4. Request month end close out checks from accounts payable. 
5. Compile information from payroll for quarterly and yearly tax reports, US Labor reports (quarterly), and labor statistics reports (monthly) by required due dates.
6. Research Internal Revenue Codes and Fair Labor Standards Act to determine propriety of payroll process. Keep informed on payroll changes and prepare and plan implementation of changes as required.
7. Continuously document payroll processing procedures in Dynamic Policy. Maintain and update procedures as needed. 
8. Work with Technology Services on any payroll processing issues in Colleague to include implementing, updating, and maintaining Web Advisor/Self Service Portal. 

1.  Process and submit W-2s at year-end and balance to the 941, Schedule B and NC5Q.
2. Enter third-party sick pay, pay FICA taxes, and ensure information is on W-2s. Maintain spreadsheet throughout the year.  
3. Maintain spreadsheet for fiscal year with payroll and retirement amounts that is used for fiscal year financial statements.
4. Monitor the payroll bank account for direct deposit and payroll taxes each month to include resolving issues with returned checks and uncashed checks.  
5. Provide unemployment code information.
6. Provide necessary information for yearly audits on payroll.
7. Reconcile health, dental, annuity, and life insurance billing statements with general ledger clearing accounts.
8. Process deductions for child support, tax garnishments, tax levies, and bankruptcies.
9. Maintain current and prior years’ payroll records.
10. Communicate salary adjustments and new hire with Budget Accountant.
11. Maintain a high standard of professionalism in representing the College including confidentiality in all aspects of the position’s responsibilities and adherence to policies, procedures, and other established guidelines. Adhere to professional accountability and accept responsibility for managing situations and problems. Work cooperatively with team members and colleagues, contributing positively and constructively to the achievement of team and College objectives and provide a high level of service to customers by establishing and maintaining effective working relationships and partnerships.
12. Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

MINIMUM EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate degree from a regionally accredited institution in accounting, business, or a related field required.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS

• One year of accounting and/or payroll experience required; two years of experience preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Generally, works in a traditional climate-controlled office environment and requires the ability to sit for extended periods. 
• Some walking, standing, and bending, with the ability to lift and maneuver items weighing up to 25 pounds required. 
• Work environment can be stressful at times in dealing with a wide variety of challenges and deadlines.

• In addition to regular office hours, position sometimes requires overtime and/or evening hours.

BENEFITS

Gaston College provides a comprehensive, affordable insurance and benefits program.  We are continuously investigating new benefit offerings that are responsive to the needs of our regular** employees. 

• State Health Plan
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Additional Supplemental Insurances
• NC State Retirement Plan
• Supplemental Retirement Plans
• Disability Benefits, Long- and Short-Term
• Longevity Pay
• State Employees' Credit Union Eligibility
• Leave (Vacation, Sick, FMLA, Civil and Military, Child/Student Involvement, Education, and Voluntary Shared)
• Paid Holidays
• Educational Advancement Compensation
• Tuition Assistance
• Employee Discount Program
• Benefits Overview Booklet

**Please note:  Temporary (part-time) employees do not earn benefits.