Howard University

Payroll Manager

Howard University$68K — $93K *
Legal & Accounting
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required
  • Minimum 5 years' experience in payroll or accounting management
  • At least 3 years supervisory or managerial experience preferred
  • Extensive knowledge of accounting procedures and compliance regulations
  • Ability to analyze and resolve complex issues efficiently
  • Experience using accounting software and spreadsheets

Responsibilities

  • Supervise payroll and benefits accounting operations
  • Ensure accurate processing of payroll and benefits transactions
  • Coordinate and verify payroll and benefits information for accuracy
  • Manage monthly reconciliation of payroll-related accounts
  • Assist in budget development for payroll and employee benefits
  • Prepare federal tax returns and W-2 forms
  • Lead process improvements and implement best practices for payroll

Benefits

  • Competitive salaries and excellent medical and dental coverage
  • Tuition reimbursement and paid leave programs
  • Participation in Maryland Retirement and Pension System with two options
  • 401(k) contributions with employer match
  • Opportunities for professional development and training
Full Job Description
Position Details

Position Information

Position Title
Payroll Manager

FLSA
Exempt

FT/PT
Full Time

Hours Per Week
37.5

Work Schedule
M-F 8:30-5

Grade
15

Compensation Range
The anticipated hiring range is $68,067 - $93,932. Actual starting salary will be determined based on relevant experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

Summary

The Payroll Manager supervises payroll and benefits accounting operations, ensuring the accurate, timely, and confidential processing of payroll, benefits-related transactions, reconciliations, tax reporting, and associated financial records. The role also provides leadership in implementing payroll best practices, internal controls, and process improvements to support operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.

Essential Role Responsibilities
• Ensures proper accounting of all transactions relating to payroll and benefits accounting.
• Coordinates, analyzes and verifies payroll and benefits information to ensure accuracy.
• Responsible for the coordination, calculation and payment of health and dental premiums to the county government, and all other monthly benefits premium payments.
• Reviews, verifies and reconciles all related payroll G/L Accounts.
• Prepare internal reports related to position monitoring and control.
• Oversees and reviews the monthly reconciliation of actual to budgeted wages for budgeted staff in all funds.
• Assist with the budget development process for various cost centers and funds during budget development.
• Assist with budget development for employee benefits.
• Performs analysis of payroll data and budget development materials related to wages and positions.
• Assists cost center administrators with payroll and benefit cost related issues.
• Prepare financial reports, surveys, state and federal reports related to payroll and benefits.
• Manages and supervises payroll personnel; assigns and reviews work of subordinate supervisor and related personnel.
• Recommends, implements, and coordinates day-to-day policies and procedures for the payroll/benefits area.
• Ensures personal use of college issued cell phones is paid for by the employee.
• Ensures compliance with federal and financial aid guidelines related to grant employees.
• Responsible for reviewing all legal requirements and adherence to college policy and procedures related to area assigned.
• Responsible for Cobra/retiree health insurance reconciliation and related journal entries.
• Prepares quarterly federal tax returns (941), files unemployment reports and reconciles, prepares and distributes W-2's.
• Prepares written (or gives oral) communications necessary to inform college community of actions, updates or revisions concerning payroll and benefits processing.
• Ensures security and confidentiality of all payrolls, benefits, and position related documents.
• Prepares all accruals, audit work papers, and financial analysis needed for year-end close out.
• Reviews and authorizes actions related to the processing of area materials and deviations.
• Develops, monitors, and controls accounting cycle of payroll/benefits department. Ensures accurate processing of materials and adherence to deadlines. Analyzes and proposes changes to area's organization and structure to maximize efficiencies and effectiveness.
• Prepares, implements and coordinates updates of payroll module to ensure accuracy and efficiencies of processing payroll.
• Prepares the monthly bank reconciliation for the college operating account.
• Manages the flexible spending plan.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education Required
Bachelor's degree

Experience Required

Minimum of 5 years' experience leading accounting or payroll departments preferred

At least 3 years of supervisory or manager experience preferrred

Extensive knowledge of accounting procedures and principles as they relate to all areas assigned.

Ability to determine changes in regulations that affect our policies and procedures related to areas assigned.

Ability to apply accounting principles and procedures to all areas of assignment.

Ability to use own initiative to locate and resolve problems.

Ability to coordinate with other areas of the college and external agencies to perform duties.

Ability to interact tactfully and to deal courteously and effectively with others.

Ability to interview, hire, train, direct, evaluate, discipline and provide supervisory support to subordinates.

Ability to analyze accounting and administrative systems to ensure accuracy and recommend and initiate modifications if necessary.

Ability to use standardized computer software such as spreadsheets, database, and word processors.

Ability to operate routine accounting machines such as a calculator, computer t

Position requires a great deal of coordination with internal constituents.

Complex legal and liability issues relating to Federal and State taxation cause high risk of errors.

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

Physical Demand Summary
  • Face-paced, deadline-driven, working environment. Concurrent management of numerous tasks, some with conflicting priorities
  • Work is performed in a standard office environment.
  • Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer are required.


Supervisory Position?
Yes

Division
Finance

Department
Finance

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number
B650P

Number of Vacancies
1

Best Consideration Date

Job Open Date
06/12/2026

Job Close Date

Continuous Recruitment?
No

Job Category
Staff

Benefits Summary

Howard Community College offers competitive salaries, excellent medical and dental selections, tuition reimbursement and paid leave programs. As a participating member of the Maryland Retirement and Pension System, HCC offers two retirement options: The Pension, which requires a 7% employee contribution and The ORP, a 403(b) with a 7.25% employer contribution only. Employees in positions that do not require a bachelor's degree must participate in The Pension. Employees that possess a bachelor's degree and hold professional positions that require a bachelor's degree may choose to participate in either The Pension or The ORP.

Applicant Instructions

*Pre-employment criminal background investigation is a condition of employment.

HCC is interested in all qualified applicants who are eligible to work in the United States. However, HCC will generally not sponsor applicants for work visas. Due to HCC policy, only employees living in states contiguous to Maryland are eligible for work at HCC and include Virginia, West Virginia, Washington DC, Pennsylvania. Candidates must live in the commutable area or willing to relocate at their own expense if offered the position because HCC does not offer relocation benefits.

Please complete the entire HCC Employment Application (Candidates will be evaluated on completing the college's application in full).

Quick Link for Internal Postings
https://howardcc.peopleadmin.com/postings/5901

About Howard University

Howard University is a private, federally chartered historically black university (HBCU) in Washington, D.C. It is categorized by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with higher research activity and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. From its outset Howard has been nonsectarian and open to people of all sexes and races. Howard offers more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees.
Learn more about Howard University
Size
2,000 employees
Industry

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