Payroll Specialist

Department: Fiscal Services

Classification: Financial Svcs Specialist 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

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Financial Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Payroll Office is responsible for the timely and accurate processing of all University payrolls. The Payroll Office reconciles health care billings, payroll liability accounts, the 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 Specialist ensures the integrity and accuracy of HR and Payroll data in Banner. The Payroll Specialist is responsible for daily data entry into HR and Payroll systems in an accurate, timely, and consistent fashion. Also, the Payroll Specialist ensures the integrity of employees’ personal/confidential information while exercising independent judgement, as well as discretion and tact, in articulating policy, and advising and conferring with employees regarding payroll processes.

Responsibilities:

• Data Entry into Banner (Payroll):
  • Ensures all input data for payrolls, including, but not limited to, time entry, tax processing, adjustments, direct deposit changes, and leave payouts are processed by the deadline. Audits and corrects input as necessary, using required reports during payroll run. The overall objective of all aspects of this element is to provide services so that all employees are paid accurately and in a timely fashion, and the data residing in all systems is accurate and consistent.
• Data Entry into Banner (Benefits):
  • Ensures all transactions consisting of benefit adjustments, disability payments, and leave balance corrections for all categories of employees are entered in Banner. Demonstrates knowledge and utilization of all data entry screens used in Banner.
• No Active Direct Deposit Process:
  • Responsible for the no active direct deposit process to include following up with employees/supervisors listed on the No Direct Deposit report with each pay run. Reviews/monitors each payroll run employees listed with no active direct deposit setup.
• Customer Service/Other Duties as Assigned:
  • Provides routine day-to-day customer service requests related to the payroll function to include phone requests, email requests, in-person requests, and faxes. Provides assistance to supervisor/manager and/or staff on special projects. Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience working in a high-volume Payroll office environment;
• Knowledge of MS Office suite;
• Knowledge of basic problem solving and data collection techniques;
• Demonstrated organizational and interpersonal skills, and commitment to quality customer service;
• Demonstrated ability to independently research problems, apply analytical and mathematical techniques, and follow through to resolution;
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and work under the stress of communication with employees about confidential payroll issues;
• Extreme attention to detail and data entry accuracy; and
• General familiarity with payroll practices and principles in the area of transactions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP); and
• Experience with Ellucian SCT Banner system, or an equivalent in-house system.

Instructions to Applicants: 

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

Posting Open Date:  May 1, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  May 15, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes