Accountant, Payroll/Liabilities

Western Colorado University invites applications for the full-time position of Payroll & Liabilities Accountant. This is a remote position.

The Payroll & Liabilities Accountant provides the University with professional accounting services in the area of Payroll and Payroll Liabilities. This position assists in the mechanisms to process accurate and timely employee payment for faculty, staff, and students of the University. This includes processing payroll, as well as maintaining records, handling payroll questions and completing any other tasks necessary for monitoring and overseeing Western’s payroll process and ensuring employees are compensated correctly and on time. The payroll accountant coordinates with HR, the Work Study Manager, and the accounting department as it corresponds to payroll operations.

Responsibilities:

• Manage and review hourly employee electronic time tracking systems, monthly time sheets, and ensure appropriate approvals are complete.
• Ensure compliance with university policies as well as federal and state legal requirements.
• Set up payroll calculations, deductions, wage garnishments, tax filings, child support withholding orders, etc.
• Process On-Cycle, Off-Cycle On-Demand payments, and manual adjustments.
• Process Payroll Liabilities: Prepare, review, initiate, and authorize payment for accurate and timely disbursement to discharge the institution's financial obligations related to payroll. This includes check disbursements as well as ACH debits.
• Prepare deduction registers for related vendors.
• Reconcile payroll liability trial balance accounts.
• Enter accounting journals as necessary to record payments.
• Payroll Reporting: Review, analyze, produce, update and/or maintain payroll reporting systems. Develop in conjunction with I.T. Services Dept, and other departments as necessary, reports for account reconciliations, audits and other payroll reporting functions as required.
• Prepare labor statistics reports for US Dept of Labor and Colorado Dept of Personnel & Administration.
• Prepare other special reports as assigned.
• Tax Reporting: Gather, review, reconcile, audit, and process information for the quarterly reporting of the Federal Tax return (941) and the annual W-2 reporting and issuance of tax forms. Ensure payroll compliance information updates have been implemented and all related systems access is current.
• Assist the Finance team with month-end and year-end close processes.
• Work with the Senior Budget Analyst and Work Study Manager to complete payroll cost accounting adjustments as necessary.
• Adjust general ledger as required for year-end accrual reporting.
• Prepare year-end exhibits required by the State Controller and the State Auditor.
• Provide backup support for the critical functions of the Asset Accountant & Accounts Payable Analyst.

Qualifications:

Minimum: Five plus years of processing payroll and Multi State payroll processing is required. Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, math, or related field, is required. Four years’ experience may be substituted for degree. Successful candidates must be technologically savvy, possess strong numerical aptitude and attention to detail, and have excellent communication, collaboration, and customer service skills.

Preferred: Preferred candidate will have experience with Governmental accounting (GASB) and knowledge of IRS employer tax guidelines, FMLA/FLSA regulations, and HR laws generally. Knowledge of WorkDay HRIS system is preferred. Preference is given to payroll processing in a higher education environment.

Compensation: The position is full-time and fully benefited for a salary of $50,000 - $60,000 per year depending on experience. Western offers an excellent benefits package including shared premiums for a comprehensive health insurance plan, dental insurance, retirement plan, life insurance, and other insurance options. After one year of employment, Western provides free tuition for dependents enrolled full-time in undergraduate programs for up to four years.

What you need to apply: Required attachments to online applications include a cover letter describing position specific interest, resume, and a list of a minimum three professional references.

Application review of applicants begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Western Colorado University is a public institution with an enrollment of ~3,700 graduate and undergraduate students, the majority of which reside on the campus and in the community. With average class sizes of 17 students, faculty and staff share a strong commitment to inclusivity and personalized, immersive education. They are student-oriented, collegial, enthusiastic, and engaged in the campus and community. Western is committed to continual growth in regard to diversity, equity, and inclusivity and promotes participation in DEI initiatives from students, faculty, staff, and the community. Please see our diversity statement, and our DEI Committee charge.

The University is located in Gunnison, Colorado, a rural community 200 miles southwest of Denver and the gateway to Crested Butte, a world class ski community. K-12 students are served by the award-winning Gunnison Watershed School District. Both communities value the arts, quality of life, community-based wrap around services for children and adults, and continued personal growth and learning opportunities. At an elevation of 7,700 feet in the southern Rocky Mountains, the Gunnison Valley provides exceptional year-round outdoor recreational and cultural opportunities including summer arts and music festivals, mountain biking, skiing, kayak/rafting, rock climbing, hiking and camping… all within minutes of the campus.

Visit http://www.western.eduto learn more about the university.

An Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.

Western Colorado University believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. Western is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (for state classified positions, with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. Please see our diversity statement, and our DEII Committee charge.

ADAAA ACCOMMODATIONS:

Western Colorado University is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Western will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to the Office of Human Resources at [email protected] or (970) 943-3140.

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER INCLUDING DISABILITY/VETERANS

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Experience level:

• 5 years

Physical setting:

• Office

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Remote