Senior Accountant

JOB POSTING NO.: AUD-1018

JOB TITLE: Senior Accountant

MONTHLY SALARY: $5,118.34 – $8,146.67/mo plus benefits

POSTING DATE: September 2, 2022

CLOSING DATE: Open until filled

HIRE DATE: TBD

HOURS PER WEEK: 40

LOCATION: Austin, Texas (No satellite offices.)

NO. OF OPENINGS: One

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Performs complex to advanced payroll and leave accounting work in CAPPS and manages fixed assets. Work involves overseeing and processing payroll transactions, preparing and maintaining payroll records and reports, ensuring timekeeping entries are accurately and timely completed and approved, and performing a variety of other payroll processing activities. Work also involves providing assistance and back-up support in the areas of contract management, purchasing, and with travel arrangements and reimbursements. Works under limited to minimal supervision with moderate to extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

• Processes payroll transactions in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
• Conducts various payroll reconciliations, and troubleshoots and resolves issues that arise including processing payroll corrections.
• Calculates and processes special pay adjustments and final pay for terminations and retirements including vacation lump sum payments.
• Prepares statistical reports, statements, and summaries that may include Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement and unemployment wages for submission to various state and federal agencies.
• Performs payroll updates including entering and/or processing new hires, terminations, and changes to pay rates.
• Prepares, maintains, and stores payroll and leave accounting records in accordance with records management requirements.
• Provides guidance to staff on payroll and timekeeping matters.
• Maintains payroll processing controls and setups of deductions, garnishments, voluntary deductions, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificates (W-4s), and direct deposits, including returned monies and payment cancellations.
• Monitors entries into the timekeeping systems to ensure timesheets are submitted correctly and on time, corrects timesheets as needed.
• Monitors legal and regulatory requirements pertaining to payroll transactions and leave reporting.
• Develops and maintains written documentation regarding payroll policies and procedures.
• Assists with and provides back-up support in other areas of the Business Services Department including providing travel arrangements for staff, reviewing and processing travel vouchers, and preparing and maintaining accounting records.
• Tracking and reporting fixed assets which includes ensuring that state property is accounted for and that all necessary information is entered into the State Property Accounting (SPA) system.
• May provide salary verification for lending institutions, state agencies, and other organizations.
• May respond to inquiries from local, state, federal agencies, and other organizations related to child support, tax levies, student loans, social security, and unemployment compensation.
• May represent the agency at payroll systems user group meetings.
• Performs related work as assigned.

GENERAL QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES:

Experience in CAPPS payroll, CAPPS Time and Labor, accounting or financial operations. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in accounting, finance, or a related field is generally preferred. Education and experience may substitute for one another on a year per year basis.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of automated payroll and leave accounting systems including CAPPS.
• Knowledge of state and federal payroll rules, regulations, and laws.
• Skill in reviewing documents with attention to detail.
• Skill in working accurately with numerical detail.
• Ability to communicate information clearly, concisely, and effectively
• Ability to analyze and interpret data for accuracy.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to meet strict deadlines while maintaining extreme attention to detail.
• Ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience administering payroll and leave accounting for a Texas state agency.
• Knowledge of or experience using the USPS Uniform Statewide Payroll/Personnel System and/or the Centralized Accounting Payroll/Personnel System (CAPPS) for payroll and leave accounting.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).

The State Auditor’s Office is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability in employment or in the provision of services. Applicants should communicate requests for disability-related accommodations during the application process to our Human Resources Office.