"Payroll Accounting Supervisor"

Job Details

Department: Fiscal Services

Classification: Financial Svcs Manager 1

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Pay Band: 05

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Financial Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Payroll Office is responsible for timely and accurate processing of all University payrolls. The Payroll Office reconciles health care billings, payroll liability accounts, Virginia Retirement System (VRS) snapshot, processes invoices for payment to all payroll vendors for employee/employer withholdings, and makes retroactive pay adjustments. The Payroll Office submits quarterly filings for unemployment, federal and state taxes to the appropriate taxing authorities and generates annual W2s.

About the Position:

The Payroll Accounting Supervisor supervises a payroll accounting team to ensure efficient operations and compliance. The position oversees accuracy of over 70 liability account reconciliations and the timely resolution of outstanding reconciling differences essential for financial compliance. Additionally, this role manages quarterly filings for tax returns and unemployment reporting while serving as the primary liaison with the ADP service provider for effective communication and issue resolution.

Responsibilities:

• Ensures payroll reconciliations are completed by the prescribed internal deadlines and the deadlines set forth by the Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM). Works with accountants, benefits, and external departments to resolve any discrepancies monthly and before the end of the fiscal year;
• Files quarterly unemployment reports to Virginia Employment Commission (VEC), other state agencies, and the Department of Taxation by the prescribed deadlines;
• Works with the external vendor to balance and submit 941s, 941 amendments, state quarterly filing by the prescribed deadlines, and reconcile calendar year end 941s, 1042s to W2s. Acts as point of contact with the external vendor;
• Responsible for supervision of the Payroll Accounting team and all aspects of performance management including training, goal setting, monitoring and delivery of work efforts, and providing feedback through verbal updates and written performance reviews to the teams. Adheres to legal and university policies and procedures and undertakes disciplinary actions as needed; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business administration, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Demonstrated experience (typically 3-5 years) in payroll related account reconciliations and supervisory experience (typically 1-2 years); Experience working with large amounts of payroll data using Excel and analyzing the data for discrepancies or errors;
• Knowledge of payroll best practices, accounting, working with the general ledger, account reconciliations, complex HR/Payroll systems, and calendar and fiscal year end reporting (W2s/1042s);
• Knowledge of federal and state payroll tax laws and regulations, familiarity with FLSA, overtime rules and wage garnishment laws, and an understanding of benefits deductions and retirement deductions; and
• Ability to work collaboratively with end users, internal and external departments providing clear and effective communication on policies and process requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in payroll for a large, complex organization or higher education is preferred;
• Experience with multi-state and international taxation is a plus; and
• Workflow Optimization: Awareness of techniques to streamline operations, reduce waste, and maximize efficiency by proactively identifying opportunities for transformative improvements.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Payroll Accounting Supervisor at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a resume for review.

Posting Open Date: November 21, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by: December 5, 2025

Open Until Filled: Yes

Mason Ad Statement

Mason is currently the largest and most diverse university in Virginia with students and faculty from all 50 states and over 135 countries studying in over 200 degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William, as well as at learning locations across the commonwealth. Rooted in Mason’s diversity is a campus culture that is both rewarding and exciting, work that is meaningful, and opportunities to both collaborate and create.

If you are interested in joining the Mason family take a look at our current opportunities and catch some Mason spirit at jobs.gmu.edu/!

George Mason University, Where Innovation is Tradition.

Equity Statement

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

Campus Safety Information

Mason’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at http://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/