Payroll Assistant

Job Title: Payroll Assistant
Classification: C4
Department: Payroll
Updated: January 2019

Job Summary

As part of the payroll team, under the direct supervision of the Director of Payroll Services, the Payroll Assistant aids in the processing and reviewing of the bi-weekly and semi-monthly payrolls.  Complying with friend of the court, garnishment and tax levy laws and regulations.  This position is also responsible for the supervision, training and scheduling of student employees.  This person must perform work of a specialized and confidential nature. This person must interpret and understand both University policy and federal tax regulations and State labor law guidelines in order to process payrolls in compliance with the law.  

Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

  • Handle adjustments and time entry review for several different types of employee classifications
  • Print and distribute payroll checks – includes reissue of lost/old paychecks
  • Transmit direct deposit and positive pay files
  • Provide outstanding customer service
  • Process payroll tax and direct deposit forms
  • Interpret federal and state tax laws in order to answer questions and aid in the processing of W2 and W4 forms
  • Understand and process complex union contract agreements as it pertains to payroll.
  • Use software for processing payroll.  For example: Banner, Ultratime and Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Calculate a paycheck manually from gross to net.
  • Calculation and administration of overpayments.
  • Process and maintain records and compliance for child support, bankruptcy orders, garnishments and tax levies. 
  • Work directly with Human Resources on worker’s compensation, sick leave and short-term disability issues and payments.
  • Primary person for writing custom payroll reports using Argos.
  • Reporting of New Hires to State of Michigan
  • Supervise and schedule student employees and interns.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Non-Essential Functions:

  • Provides backup for other payroll team members during vacations.

Required Qualifications:

  • High school graduate or equivalent.
  • Minimum of four years of relevant work experience.
  • Demonstrated administrative and organizational skills.
  • Minimum of four year related work experience in processing payroll with 300 or more employees.
  • Knowledge and understanding of IRS, DOL, and Social Security regulations pertaining to payroll
  • In-Depth knowledge working with child support orders, garnishments, and tax levies.
  • Demonstrated experience to successfully work under pressure and meet deadlines.
  • Demonstrated experience to successfully maintain positive interpersonal relationships.
  • Demonstrated experience to successfully use Microsoft Office software including excel and work.
  • Demonstrated experience to successfully provide quality customer service.
  • Demonstrated experience to successfully maintain satisfactory work performance and attendance records.
  • Possess strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Demonstrated experience to successfully work independently, organize own work and coordinate work activities of others (students).
  • Excellent grammar and proofreading skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • Higher education experience.
  • FPC or CPP Designation.
  • Supervisory experience.

Supervision Received:

Receives minimal supervision from a designated supervisor.  Much of the work is self-initiated.  Person is expected to function with considerable independence and apply appropriate policies and procedures within the assigned area of responsibility. .

Supervision Exercised:

Hire, train, schedule and coordinate the work of student employees and may act as lead worker to PSS staff members within the department/unit/division. 

Physical Demands:

  • To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.


Page last modified December 14, 2020