Payroll Account Clerk

Union 2110

Grade 8

Posting Summary:

Teachers College, Columbia University is seeking a Payroll Account Clerk who will assist with duties related to payroll processing including, but not limited to, issuances, employee information and related data entry, maintaining and updating payroll records, investigating and resolving payroll discrepancies, and other related requirements.

Job Summary/Basic Function:
Reporting to the Payroll Supervisor, the incumbent will play a critical role in the day-to-day payroll operation. The role's primary responsibilities include payroll processing, analysis, and reporting.
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Payroll Processing & Analysis

• Process all aspects of weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, and summer payrolls
• Review and audit timesheet hours and process overtime payable for hourly and union member employees
• Cross-review and verify Personnel Action Forms (PAFs) submitted for all employees
• Process all special payroll payments (i.e., vacation advances, one-time and periodic payouts, etc.) for union member employees
• Investigate payroll discrepancies and deduction changes and coordinate any required corrections with the Human Resources, IT and Benefit teams
• Set up all applicable new hires and re-hires with non-NY payroll tax requirements in Ellucian Banner including establishing withholdings, non-resident alien (NRA) exemptions, and involuntary employee deductions (i.e., union dues, wage attachments, etc.)
• Assist the Payroll Supervisor with processing and responding to non-NY inquiries and requirements, NRA compliance in TaxNav, W-2 and 1042-S processing and re-issuances and other tax-related requirements
• Assist with filing and scanning payroll records ensuring compliance with record retention requirements
• Research prior payroll history and manually process late timesheets
• Process deductions including union dues, garnishments, tax levies, student loan deductions-and submit third-party payment requests
• Initiate system procedure to notify employees of outstanding leave reports, negative leave balances and unsubmitted timesheets
• Assist with monthly reconciliations of wage deductions and payments
• Process payroll adjustments and corrections for voided transactions, stale checks, and direct deposit rejections
• Review standard payroll variance/tolerance reports for pay exception issues to assess accuracy

Communication & Technology

• Liaise with the College’s financial institution to confirm all match pay and direct deposit files electronically transmitted were received
• Provide prompt customer service to employees in-person, via e-mail, and/or through telephone on payroll-related matters
• Coordinate communications and respond to employees and supervisors on time entry matters and submissions
• Trouble-shoot Banner Payroll for possible causes of processing and similar errors
• Coordinate with the Payroll Supervisor and the Financial Systems and IT teams to resolve payroll matters and reconciliation issues
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma
• Two years of recent payroll processing experience
• Proficiency in payroll software and Microsoft Office applications
• Attention to detail and accuracy in data entry
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work with confidential information
• Prior experience in payroll processing or a related field
• Ability to work independently as well as cooperatively in a team environment
• Superior customer service-focused skills and ability to collaborate with multiple constituencies

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate Degree
• Experience processing union payrolls
• Experience processing payrolls for Higher Education Institutions
• FPC Certification
  Knowledge of Payroll laws, regulations, and compliance requirements

Salary Range:

$29.35 - $29.35/hour

Work Modality:

Hybrid

Competitive Compensation and Benefits

The salary range reflects the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation for the position at the time of the job posting. Salary decisions are dependent on several factors including but not limited to market and organizational considerations, experience, and qualifications of a selected candidate as well as internal and external equity.

Our benefits contribute significantly to the total compensation package that includes medical, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance plans; flexible and hybrid work schedules; tuition remission; life insurance; short and long-term disability insurance; an exceptional employer retirement matching program; health savings accounts (HSA), flexible spending accounts (FSA), Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility, and a robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

If you would like to request any disability related accommodations to complete the job application or to participate in the interview process, please email:oasid@tc.columbia.edu.

Hybrid/Remote

Teachers College maintains a hybrid work environment, which provides employees with flexible work arrangements, while ensuring we preserve the important aspects of our unique in-person college-campus culture. Depending on role and business needs, colleagues will either work onsite or in a hybrid model (combination of in-office and virtual days). Employees are expected to live within a 150-mile radius of the College.

We will consider qualified candidates that reside beyond this radius based on the responsibilities and duties expected of the position. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.