Payroll/Benefit Accountant

POSITION: Payroll/Benefit Accountant

DEPARTMENT: Finance

PAYGRADE: 108 (E)

PAY: Min: $60,971 Mid: $77,740 Max:$94,504

DEADLINE: Monday, September 15, 2025

JOB SUMMARY:

The purpose of this position is to prepare and process payroll for CCWA, processes benefit related invoices, and reconciles payroll, benefits and related accounts to the general ledger.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Analyzes employee work hours, including sick, vacation, safety, and holiday leave hours; reviews weekly total of employee work hours from supervisors and compares to time entry registers; verifies compliance with payroll policies and procedures; researches and resolves payroll related questions and concerns from managers and employees; and prepares special payroll processing such as manual checks, vacation pay out, and year-end processing of sick leave incentive checks.

Communicates with Human Resources to ensure the integrity of new hire, termination, Workers Compensation, Family and Medical Leave Act, benefits related deductions and transactions, and related payroll data; prepares biweekly taxes and quarterly cumulative totals; prepares and submits state and federal tax reports; reconciles payroll reports to prepare 941’s and W2’s; completes year-end reporting, such as tax returns, W-2’s and balancing earnings and journal entries to general ledger; processes employee garnishments, IRS levies and other court ordered withholdings; and prepares accounting transactions to facilitate timely filing and payment of these transactions.

Processes ACH and positive pay files; submits to the bank after payroll has been finalized and meets banking deadlines for timely direct deposits.

Analyzes payroll related transactions, entries, and reports; diagnoses, troubleshoots, and substantiates any problems with the software; takes or recommends corrective action to maintain the validity of all data; tests current data and new releases to update software applications; participates in all upgrades and implementation of software; and conducts training and maintains training documentation for all time entry end users.

Writes and creates reports on an as needed and required basis to facilitate financial, management, and daily work reporting requirements; documents and updates SOPs and training material.

Ensures the accurate and timely payment of benefits related invoices.

Prepares, maintains, and reconciles benefits accounts to the general ledger; works with Human Resources to identify and research discrepancies. Perform account reconciliations for payroll-related cash and other financial accounts. Prepares and posts payroll accruals.

Maintains compliance on state and federal regulations; stays abreast of new laws and legislation for assigned functional areas.

Serves as backup for General Accounting and Accounts Payable as needed. Assists accounting leadership with month-end and year-end close process. Supports audit requests by providing records and documentation promptly.

Performs other assigned duties.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; four (4) years of related work experience in payroll processing; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all CCWA or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function in the position.

Required Licenses/Certifications:

None

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Tasks may involve some pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight; tasks may also involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or work station. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

At CCWA, it is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees, including temporary employees, and applicants for employment based on qualifications, abilities, and merit. Therefore, CCWA prohibits discrimination against employees, applicants or any other legally covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression), citizenship, genetic information, disability status, past, current, or prospective membership in the uniformed services or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to job advertisements, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits, and training.