Accountant, Payroll/Liabilities

Western Colorado University seeks innovative candidates with prior payroll and/or accounting experience for our Payroll & Liabilities Accountant position. This opportunity offers tremendous experience and an exceptional environment.

DUTIES: The Payroll & Liabilities Accountant provides the University with professional accounting services in the area of Payroll and Payroll Liabilities. This position assists in the mechanisms to process accurate and timely employee payment for faculty, staff, and students of the University.  This includes processing payroll, as well as maintaining records, handling payroll questions and completing any other tasks necessary for monitoring and overseeing Western’s payroll process and ensuring employees are compensated correctly and on time.  The payroll accountant coordinates with HR, the Work Study Manager, and the accounting department as it corresponds to payroll operations.

• Manage and review hourly employee electronic time tracking systems, monthly time sheets, and ensure appropriate approvals are complete.
• Ensure compliance with university policies as well as federal and state legal requirements.
• Set up payroll calculations, deductions, wage garnishments, tax filings, child support withholding orders, etc.
• Process On-Cycle, Off-Cycle On-Demand payments, and manual adjustments.
• Process Payroll Liabilities:  Prepare, review, initiate, and authorize payment for accurate and timely disbursement to discharge institution’s financial obligations related to payroll. This includes check disbursements as well as ACH debits.
• Prepare deduction registers for related vendors.
• Reconcile payroll liability trial balance accounts.
• Enter accounting journals as necessary to record payments.
• Payroll Reporting: Review, analyze, produce, update and/or maintain payroll reporting systems.  Develop in conjunction with I.T. Services Dept, and other departments as necessary, reports for account reconciliations, audits and other payroll reporting functions as required.
• Prepare labor statistics reports for US Dept of Labor and Colorado Dept of Personnel & Administration.
• Prepare other special reports as assigned.
• Tax Reporting: Gather, review, reconcile, audit, and process information for the quarterly reporting of the Federal Tax return (941) and the annual W-2 reporting and issuance of tax forms. Ensure payroll compliance information updates have been implemented and all related systems access is current.
• Assist the Finance team with month-end and year-end close processes.
• Work with the Senior Budget Analyst and Work Study Manager to complete payroll cost accounting adjustments as necessary.
• Adjust general ledger as required for year-end accrual reporting.
• Prepare year-end exhibits required by the State Controller and the State Auditor.
• Provide backup support for the critical functions of the Asset Accountant & Accounts Payable Analyst.

QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, math, or related field, is required. Four years’ experience may be substituted for degree. Successful candidates must be technologically savvy, possess strong numerical aptitude and attention to detail, and have excellent communication, collaboration, and customer service skills. Preferred candidate will have familiarity with WorkDay software, experience with Governmental accounting (GASB) and knowledge of IRS employer tax guidelines, FMLA/FLSA regulations, and HR laws generally.

COMPENSATION:  The position is full-time and fully benefited for a salary of $50,000 – $60,000 per year depending on experience.

ADDITIONAL APPLICATION INFORMATION: Visit www.western.edu/jobs and use our online application. Required attachments to online applications include a cover letter describing position specific interest, resume, and a list of professional references. Application review of applicants begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Western is a residential, public university with an enrollment of 3,400 students who come from across Colorado and all fifty states. Faculty members share a strong commitment to personalized education with the liberal arts as its core. They are student-oriented, collegial, energetic, and engaged in the campus and community. The curriculum provides flexibility where experiential learning and interdisciplinary approaches are valued. Western supports diversity, equity, and inclusivity of all types including ability (physical, mental), social class, racial/ethnic, linguistic, religion, sexual orientation, age, experience, gender, and cultural. Please see our diversity statement, and our DEII Committee charge. The University is located in Gunnison, Colorado, a rural community 200 miles southwest of Denver. At an elevation of 7,700 feet in the southern Rocky Mountains, the Gunnison Valley provides exceptional year-round outdoor recreational opportunities. Professionals have chosen Western because of the quality of life combined with rewarding careers.

Visit http://www.western.edu to learn more about the university.

An Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets

Western Colorado University believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. Western is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (for state classified positions, with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. Please see our diversity statement, and our DEII Committee charge.

ADAAA ACCOMMODATIONS:

Western Colorado University is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Western will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to the Office of Human Resources at HR@western.edu or (970) 943-3140.

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER INCLUDING DISABILITY/VETERANS