Payroll Examiner 1

The State of Connecticut, Office of the State Comptroller (OSC), is an agency whose mission is to provide accounting and financial services, to administer employee and retiree benefits, to develop accounting policy and exercise accounting oversight, and to prepare financial reports for the state, federal and municipal governments and the public.   

The Active & Pension Payroll Services Division is currently seeking qualified candidates to fill one (1) Payroll Examiner 1 position.  This position is accountable for examining state agency payrolls and supporting documentation.  The Active & Pension Payroll Services Division consists of three (3) sections:

Active Payroll Services: Pays all state employees, coordinates all payroll deductions, maintains records on payroll taxes and deposits federal and state income tax withholding and social security contributions. The division pre-audits and issues state employee and corresponding vendor payments on a bi-weekly basis; submits deduction reports; administers wage execution records and direct deposit programs.  The Core-CT HRMS payroll module accommodates unique state payroll requirements including interfaces with central agencies, mass salary changes, collective bargaining information, complex accounting transactions and extensive management reporting. 

Retirement Payroll (pension): Administers state pension plans serving retirees/optionees, including retirement benefits to retired members of the State Employees Retirement System, the Judges, Family Support Magistrate and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System, the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System, the State Attorneys Retirement System, the Public Defenders Retirement System, the State Judges Retirement System as well as the Municipal Employees Retirement System.

Union Sponsored Tuition and Travel Reimbursements: Processes the Statewide Tuition, Travel and Training reimbursement payments to all collectively bargained state employees for approved tuition, travel, training and conference costs, as well as union-sponsored training and conferences. 

The position is currently located at 165 Capitol Avenue in Hartford, CT in a state of the art building offering an on-site cafeteria, free garage parking, and ergonomic workspaces.  The selected candidate will work 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday.

The Office of the State Comptroller participates in a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan, as well a paid time off.

All State employees shall follow the guidelines as listed in Executive Orders 13F (3a) and 13G (3a).

State employees currently holding the above title or those who have previously attained permanent status in the class may apply for a lateral transfer.  Candidates who have been selected for employment with the Office of the State Comptroller are subject to a detailed background investigation, including a fingerprint supported state and federal criminal history record check, along with reference checks.  Selection for employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation. 

To Apply:

• In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on this job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application. 
• The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.  Please ensure your application is complete prior to submitting.
• NOTE:  In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.

Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:

• Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
• This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
• At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. 
• Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements and preferred qualifications of the position.

Connect With Us:

Due to the large volume of applications received, the Department of Administrative Services is unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Bonnie Schlechtweg at bonnie.schlechtweg@ct.gov, with a reference to the recruitment number in the subject line.

In the Office of the State Comptroller, Payroll Services Division this class is accountable for examining state payrolls and supporting documentation.

Examines manual and automated regular, overtime and supplemental payrolls for compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements; verifies signatures as recorded in official authorization file; examines all incoming documents and materials for accuracy and completeness; reviews all changes on payroll; makes corrections and contacts agency personnel for clarification and additional information as necessary; verifies internal accuracy of expenditure certificate and agreement of total to payroll expenditure; verifies accuracy of detailed analysis of expenditure report; establishes mathematical accuracy of Health Insurance detail on payroll summary and cancelled check section; recalculates all exceptional items such as multi-period taxes and court ordered withholdings; prepares key entry forms for all unusual transactions; transmits all required material to data entry operators; verifies accuracy of totals and examines and/or resolves error messages upon receipt of detailed proof or edit and validation reports; determines accuracy of final processing upon receipt of payroll warrants and/or check registers; posts to central agency ledgers all values which must be maintained on a quarterly or annual basis and brings forward accrued totals upon receipt of bi-weekly year-to-date records; determines accuracy of computer records against agency central ledgers; maintains files of payroll records and documentation, corrects and adjusts as necessary; investigates possible erroneous payments or reportedly inaccurate taxes and/or deductions made to employees; may perform technical or complex clerical work in activities related to electronic data processing; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of payroll accounting principles, practices and procedures; considerable skill in performing arithmetical computations; interpersonal skills; ability to analyze payroll deductions or other financial data; ability to read, understand and apply statutes and regulations; ability to operate office equipment including personal computer, computer terminals or other electronic equipment.

Three (3) years of experience in complex clerical work involving bookkeeping, accounts payable, accounts examining or finance.
Note: For state employees experience in complex clerical work is interpreted at the level of Financial Clerk.

One (1) year of the General Experience must have involved payroll preparation.

College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of two (2) years.

• Knowledge of general bookkeeping & auditing skills
• Excellent oral & written communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Access
• Proficiency with Peoplesoft (Core-CT) and basic SQL knowledge
• Experience with Calendar Year-End/employer reporting

INCOMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGES AND THOSE RECEIVED AFTER THE CLOSING DATE INDICATED ABOVE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

An Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer.  The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities. 

If you are requesting special accommodations under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) please contact Bonnie Schlechtweg at 860.702.3323 or Bonnie.Schlechtweg@ct.gov.