Payroll Processor and Accountant Colorado School of Mines Salary: $56,500.00 - $64,000.00 Annually Job Type: Full Time Job Number: GLA-JR106472-5/25 Location: Golden, CO Department Information Engineering a world of possibilities We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Payroll Accountant to join our team. The payroll accountant will be part of the Payroll & Employment Services team within the Controller's Office. The Payroll and Employment Services team supports the Colorado School of Mines community and its off-campus partners by providing efficient and accurate payroll and employment operations. This support is essential to advancing the University's mission and is guided by principles of exceptional customer service, regulatory compliance, and fiscal accountability. The position plays a key role in fostering an environment focused on process efficiency and effectiveness, helping to reduce the financial and administrative burdens on campus constituents and requires a proactive approach to maintaining system integrity, improving processes, and delivering exceptional service to the campus community.The Payroll Accountant will be responsible for all payroll related business processes and reconciliations for faculty and staff, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, and providing support to the Human Resources department. The person in this role will help create an environment that encourages and builds upon process efficiency and effectiveness for the purpose of alleviating the financial and administrative burden on various campus constituents This individual will apply their knowledge and skills to a wide range of standard and nonstandard situations to interpret customer needs, assess requirements, identify solutions and deliver results.This is a hybrid work environment with a weekly on-campus schedule. Candidates must reside in Colorado and be able to commute to Colorado School of Mines.This posting is being extended; if you have already applied you do not need to reapply. Description of Job Primary Responsibilities Payroll operations and processing Process semi-monthly and monthly payroll for faculty and staff, including maintaining payroll records, reviewing timesheets, calculating and auditing payroll deductions. Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing, including making necessary adjustments and resolving discrepancies. Prepare payroll reports and analysis for management and external agencies. Maintain knowledge of federal and state regulations related to payroll processing and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations Research regulations for payroll compliance in states other than Colorado and provide a risk analysis for hiring considerations. Provide support to faculty and staff regarding payroll and benefit-related inquiries. Suggest changes in procedures to provide better customer services to the campus. Make procedural changes for payroll processes when it becomes clear that there is a more efficient and/or accurate way to proceed. Maintain confidentiality of all employee information and records. Process all garnishment requests, ensuring amounts are calculated correctly. Process all separation payouts of sick and vacation leave, per policy. Audit & Reconciliations Audit all demographic and payroll data for new hires and promotions. Regular reconciliation of all payroll liability accounts. Review accuracy of job families and position types. Audit employee benefits deductions and reconcile and adjust records/systems as needed. Audit employee information and collaborate with the human resources department to ensure that all employee information is accurate and up to date. Work with external auditors during audits of payroll records. Identify issues that are out of compliance with IRS rules and regulations, and report findings to leadership. Note any processes that do not follow the proper segregation of duties or internal control processes and propose solutions. Assist with RA compliance, 1042-S tax preparation and audit of related systems and records. Audit all changes to bank records, including direct deposit requests. Conduct PERA salary and Workers Compensation audits and take care of all related reporting. Employment Verification & Unemployment Insurance Manage employment verification requests and provide verification letters. Help complete unemployment insurance claims thru Equifax and work with department leaders to provide related documentation when needed. Salary and Benefits $56,500 - $64,000 (annual salary) Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights Minimum Qualifications Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field. Minimum of 2 years of experience in payroll accounting, preferably in a higher education setting. Strong knowledge of federal and state payroll regulations. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: