Accountant II - Payroll

Salt Lake City School District

$83K *
Legal & Accounting
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree with over 5 years of payroll experience or a Master's degree with over 3 years of experience
  • Proficient in accounting principles and knowledgeable of tax codes and regulations
  • Experience managing payroll for a minimum of 50 employees using electronic systems
  • Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel
  • Strong communication skills in English, both written and verbal
  • Familiarity with standard office equipment usage

Responsibilities

  • Process payroll checks and withholdings accurately and reliably to ensure employee payments
  • Authorize and resolve payroll discrepancies promptly to meet special compensation needs
  • Calculate pay for changes in employee contracts and circumstances effectively
  • Analyze data and provide recommendations regarding payroll and accounting activities
  • Create and enforce internal control procedures to maintain compliance with regulations
  • Train payroll staff on systems and processes to ensure operational efficiency
  • Supervise payroll personnel and ensure adherence to department objectives

Benefits

  • Eligible for benefits including health, dental, and retirement plans
  • Contract position with a fixed work calendar
  • Professional development opportunities through workshops and seminars
  • Supportive team environment fostered within the department
  • Flexible working conditions with a 40-hour week
Full Job Description
Accountant II - Payroll

Position Details

Work Calendar: 242 Day Calendar Starting Wage: $83,450 annually

FTE: 1.0 (40 Hours per week) Salary Schedule/Lane: 42/D/01

Contract Status: Contract Benefits: Eligible

FLSA Status: Exempt Anticipated Start Date: 10/12/2026

Reports To: Director of Finance Priority Screen Date: 09/09/2026

Positions Available: One Vacancy

JOB SUMMARY

The Accountant II - Payroll has full ownership of the district's payroll cycle and supervises the activities of the payroll department including developing reporting procedures and internal controls; implementing procedures and processes; ensuring the accuracy of payroll-related data and compliance with district and regulatory agency requirements and guidelines; and monitoring employee performance achieving the department's overall objectives.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

All positions require selected candidates to be fingerprinted and successfully pass a criminal background check. Additional minimum required qualifications for this position are:
  1. Bachelor's degree with 5+ years experience in payroll-related area OR 3+ years payroll-related experience with master's degree
  2. Experience applying accounting principles and pertinent federal, state, and local tax codes, policies, and regulations and/or laws
  3. Experience using electronic payroll software systems to regularly issue pay to 50+ employees
  4. Intermediate level of Microsoft Office Suite Skills (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams)
  5. Speak, read, write, and present professionally, analyze, and interpret English written and verbal communications
  6. Ability to operate standard office equipment; phone, copy machines, etc.


PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

These are examples of skills and experience that the best-qualified candidates may have. Not having one or all of them does not disqualify any candidate from consideration.

  1. CPA certification or CPA candidate
  2. Experience using Business Plus
  3. Experience working in K-12 education, or other government entity
  4. Experience using UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group) for processing payroll
  5. Experience using Microsoft Access
  6. Experience supervising two or more staff


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES
  1. Consistently and reliability processes payroll checks and associated withholdings to pay employees, taxes, withholdings, garnishments, and vendors; collaborate with Human Resources Services to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing
  2. Authorize supplemental payroll checks to meet special compensation requirements and resolve payroll errors in a timely manner
  3. Understand contract pay and correctly calculate pay for incoming and outgoing employees and other contract variance circumstances
  4. Collect and analyze research material and data (e.g., financial information, state and federal mandates, etc.) to evaluate, make recommendations, and report on the effectiveness of financial, budgetary, receipts, revenue, and payroll accounting
  5. Implement reporting procedures and internal controls to maintain accurate records and comply with standard accounting practices, district policies, and other regulatory requirements; monitor and implement changes in payroll laws and regulations to ensure compliance
  6. Inform a variety of district stakeholders (e.g. personnel, vendors, administrators, etc.) and provide necessary information for completing transactions and procedures, taking appropriate actions, and complying with established fiscal guidelines
  7. Monitor a variety of financial activity, ensuring that allocations are accurate and fiscal practices are followed
  8. Attend department and district meetings, workshops and seminars as needed to support payroll and department functions
  9. Maintain a wide variety of documents, files, and records (e.g. accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, contracts, etc.) and prepare written materials (e.g. reports, W-2, 941, memos, letters, procedures, manuals etc.) to provide an up-to-date reference, documentation of activities, ensure compliance, and provide written reference and/or conveying information and an audit trail
  10. Assist auditors by providing required information and coordinating necessary project activities
  11. Reconcile related general ledger payroll accounts and prepare journal entries as needed to ensure that all contributions and deductions are properly recorded and remitted; analyze, summarize, interpret, and review data to make appropriate recommendations
  12. Research discrepancies of payroll information and/or documentation to ensure accuracy and implement corrective measures, as necessary
  13. Train payroll personnel to provide information on proper operation of electronic systems and other payroll related topics
  14. Transfer funds electronically through the bank to pay federal income, FICA, and Medicare taxes
  15. Present information on a variety of topics to communicate information, gain feedback and ensure adherence to established internal controls
  16. Provide technical expertise and direction (e.g. internal processes, accounting procedures, etc.) to convey pertinent information to appropriate parties
  17. Respond to a variety of inquiries (e.g. staff, administration, vendors, etc.) to provide information, direction, and referral for addressing inquiries
  18. Supervise and provide leadership and guidance to assigned personnel, including workload assignments, training, evaluations, performance management, monitoring of quality and quantity of work, scheduling time off, providing technical assistance and training, coaching, employee relations, time approval, etc. ensuring accurate, timely, and smooth completion of department responsibilities and goals; and to enhance personnel productivity and achieving objectives within budget
  19. Support a team environment by collaborating with own and other work units to effectively perform the duties of the position
  20. Communicate effectively with diverse individuals while maintaining confidentiality and building positive working relationships with employees and stakeholders
  21. Adapt to changing work priorities and work with frequent interruptions, as required
  22. Work under limited supervision, utilizing time management and prioritization strategies, accurately processing detailed information and meeting deadlines
  23. Speak, read, write, analyze, understand, and follow written and verbal communication in English including grammar and punctuation; listen to, and understand information and ideas presented verbally or in writing
  24. Maintain regular and predictable attendance to fulfill job requirements efficiently and effectively
  25. As needed, roll, push, pull, bend, reach, stoop, and lift up to 25 pounds
  26. Performs other related duties as assigned to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit


EMPLOYEE SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Yes

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:Accountant II Physical Demands Form

More Jobs at Salt Lake City School District

More Legal & Accounting Jobs

Find similar Accountant II - Payroll jobs: