Job Description

Virginia Tech is seeking an experienced payroll accountant to join the University supporting payroll operations. Reporting to the Payroll Operations Manager, this position requires a high level of analysis and critical thinking skills to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations. The payroll operations team makes all retroactive pay adjustments, collects and disburses all garnishments, tax liens and child support orders, reallocates earnings for workers compensation and short-term disability, and processes estate payments.

Core responsibilities of the Payroll Accountant consist of the following:
• Processing pay adjustments, garnishments and levies in accordance with regulations.
• Addressing under/overpayments by processing adjustments to income.
• Reallocating earnings for workers compensation and disability;
• Processing payments to estates or beneficiaries in accordance with guidelines.
• Assisting in the compliance review of withholding and reporting requirements for payment or adjustments.
• Interpreting state, federal, and immigration regulations related to employee compensation and benefits.
• Assisting with various reconciliations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in accounting or business-related field or significant relevant payroll experience.
• Experience with processing garnishments (of all types) and familiarity with regulatory requirements.
• Experience analyzing earnings, deductions, and cash/noncash fringe benefits, and the impact to earnings.
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret federal, state, and local payroll regulations and requirements.
• Experience using automated systems, personal computers and software such as Microsoft Office applications (specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint).

The successful candidate must be able to:
• Maintain absolute objectivity and confidentiality with all employees and all payroll related data.
• Independently plan, organize and prioritize workload to meet strict deadlines with multiple competing priorities.
• Communicate effectively and courteously with a diverse group of people.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with adjustments to earnings (overpayment/ underpayments).
• Familiarity with distribution of funds & refunds to employees and third parties.
• Experience working with a large, automated, complex payroll system in a high-volume environment.
• Payroll experience in a higher education setting.
• Experience with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system used by higher education institutions (i.e. Ellucian Banner, Oracle, Workday, or similar).