"Payroll Accountant"

Payroll Accountant

Posting Number: 0001031

Reports to: Director of Finance

Department: Finance

Classification: Exempt

Full or Part-time: Full Time

Job Summary:

This position is primarily responsible for general ledger accounting, analysis, and financial reporting focusing on payroll. As part of a team, responsible for critical functions for fiscal year end close, preparations for the annual financial audit, monthly reconciliations and related analysis, and monthly board report (financial statement package.) Under the supervision of Director, Finance or Executive Director, Finance, this position performs complex accounting and analytical functions with a high degree of accuracy, accountability, autonomy, organization, and confidentiality. Supervises the Payroll Specialist position.

Essential Functions:

1. Process Payroll as Backup - Serve as the backup for payroll processing, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely execution.
2. Payroll Entry & Validation - Responsible for completeness and accuracy of assigned accounting records including bi-weekly payroll journal entries and monthly salary, benefit, and related accruals.
3. Coordinate with Human Resources - Collaborate with HR to ensure accurate employee payroll data, including new hires, terminations, salary adjustments, and benefits deductions.
4. Tax Compliance & Reporting - Prepare and file quarterly payroll tax reports (Form 941) and ensure timely and accurate year-end W-2 reporting.
5. Problem-Solving & Escalation - Supervise Payroll Specialist and serve as primary point of escalation for Payroll Specialist, assisting with complex payroll issues, compliance concerns, and process enhancements to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
6. Position Control Management - Maintain position control records to ensure accurate tracking of authorized positions, vacancies, and salary budgets.
7. Salary Budget Oversight - Assist in developing and maintaining salary budgets, including analyzing payroll trends and explaining variances between budget and actual.
8. PTO & Leave Accounting - Maintain accurate tracking and reconciliation of paid time off (PTO) balances, leave accruals, and related financial reporting.
9. Payroll Reconciliations -Reviews, analyzes and reconciles payroll-related general ledger accounts each month to ensure accuracy and completeness.
10. Compliance & Audit Support - Ensure payroll activities comply with federal, state, and institutional policies and assist with audits related to payroll records and procedures.
11. Retirement Plan Administration - Ensure proper reporting and compliance with retirement plan contributions and deductions, working with state and third-party administrators.
12. Process Improvement & Automation - In assigned areas, reviews accounting systems and determines best practices to gain efficiencies and improve effectiveness.
13. Institutional Historian - Ensures that complete, accurate, and well-organized files are maintained and easy to quickly access. Ensure important decisions in assigned areas are documented and maintained.
14. To provide the best service to our external and internal customers, all positions at Lake Michigan College require regular and predictable on-site attendance as an essential job functions. Under certain circumstances, the College may consider alternative work arrangements and will do so in compliance with and according to the parameters outlined in the Colleges Flexible Scheduling and Remote Work Options policy.

Other Duties:

1. Other duties as assigned.

Job Specifications:

Associates degree required. Bachelors degree in accounting, business, or finance preferred. CPA highly preferred. Experience in accounting required, public accounting experience highly preferred. Ellucian Banner experience highly preferred. Intermediate or advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and Word required. Ability to organize, analyze, prioritize, and communicate well are necessary.

Grade:

Salary Range: $58,781 - $76,482

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Be a part of the Red Hawk family and apply today! Benefits start on first day of hire! Extensive paid time off (including Spring Break), College fully pays the in-network health insurance deductible, minimum of 10% employer retirement contribution per payroll, and much more!

https://www.lakemichigancollege.edu/about

Virtual Campus tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMxd91KXcGs

Open Date: 12/17/2025