Payroll Analyst

Job Description

Payroll Analyst (614)

Education and Experience

Minimum Education Requirements:

Education equivalent to: a Bachelors or Masters Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or an approved related field, with a minimum of twelve (12) semester units of specialization in accounting from an accredited College or University.

Minimum Experience Requirements:

Four (4) years recent full time of professional accounting experience; and
Experience with PC electronic spreadsheet and word processing programs; and
Experience with on-line financial and payroll systems is required.

Substitution for Experience:

A Certified Public Accounting (CPA) license or a Masters Degree in Accounting may be substituted for one (1) year of the experience requirement.

License

Possession of an appropriate, valid California driver's license is desirable.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is a professional position in the classified service. The Payroll Analyst exercises frequent use of independent judgment, as well as discretion and tact in the processing of documents and information of a confidential or sensitive nature. Under direction, the Payroll Analyst performs complex administrative duties, audits accounts, and coordinates diverse elements or work processes, which require a thorough and working knowledge of the City's accounting functions, payroll processes and organizational structure, procedures, systems, government regulations, and the City's bargaining unit agreements. The precise nature of the duties varies and may also include financial tracking and a variety of special projects and surveys.

Typical Duties

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Provides highly complex administrative support for department managers, staff, and employees in the areas of payroll compensation and calculation, benefits calculation and compilation, accounting, and record keeping systems.
Provides information to employees, supervisors, outside agencies or other personnel by referring to policies, rules, regulations or procedures or by researching files for information.
Performs mathematical computations, computes costs, and adjusts, balances, and reconciles figures to ensure accuracy of data.
Compiles and arranges data from diverse sources into report format.
Coordinates system updates to salaries and benefits resulting from COLAs (Cost of Living Adjustments) and MOU (Memoranda of Understanding) negotiations with bargaining units.
Tests changes to the system in order to assure accuracy of all payroll related calculations.
Performs troubleshooting and works with programmers to resolve system problems.
Supervises and works with payroll staff to improve work processes and create efficiencies.
Analyzes and coordinates changes to the system to comply with laws, as well as internal and external reporting requirements.
Prepares and/or reviews payroll labor distribution journal for interdepartmental services.
Analyzes and compiles information and prepares payroll related surveys, studies, projects and investigations.
Coordinates and implements new benefit and compensation changes on the payroll system in accordance with negotiated MOUs.
Performs analyses and prepares schedules to aid the Financial Services Division in the budget process.
Reconciles payroll liability accounts to ensure accuracy of reporting and distribution of funds.
Researches and resolves payroll related posting problems.
Reviews payroll related payments and external reports.
Trains payroll staff on new policies and procedures.
Performs analyses and prepares schedules, adjusting journals and notes for payroll related liabilities for year-end financial reporting.
Operates a variety of office equipment such as a personnel computer, typewriter, telephone, calculator, copy machine, fax machine, and laser printers.
Understands and effectively utilizes several complex software applications, including but not limited to, MS Excel, MS Word, FMIS/Finance and Payroll System.
Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Working knowledge of:

Generally accepted accounting principles, practices, and procedures
Automated on-line accounting, payroll and financial reporting systems, and microcomputer applications.

Ability to:

Analyze problems and prepare effective written and oral reports
Produce a wide variety of correspondence and documents using a personal computer
Understand government formulas and rules
Communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing
Implement effective use of electronic data processing applications in all aspects of the job
Ensure the system processes payroll and benefits accurately
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, other City officials, and the public
Meet deadlines, analyze work processes and suggest work improvements
Exercise a high degree of independent judgment

Supervision Received

Works under the direction of the Accounting Services Division Manager or other supervisors as assigned.

Supervision Exercised

Supervises assigned staff in the Payroll Section including Accounting Technicians, Senior Accounting Technicians and other employees.

Approved, August 2002