Placer County

To perform specialized technical payroll duties including preparing, reviewing, validating, finalizing and auditing County-wide payroll; to provide training and subject matter expertise related to payroll for other county departmental staff; to research and respond to payroll related questions; to interpret, apply and explain pertinent laws, policies, regulations, rules and MOU language; and to prepare and submit a variety of payroll related reports.

This is the full journey level technical payroll class. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.

This class is distinguished from the Accounting Technician and Accounting Assistant in that former are responsible for payroll at the department level as well as other accounting and financial tasks whereas Payroll Technicians are specifically responsible for auditing, correcting and the final processing of County-wide payroll within the Auditor-Controller’s Office and prepare and submit payroll related reports.

Receives direction from assigned supervisory or management personnel.

May exercise technical, functional or direct supervision over clerical staff.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Perform specialized technical and highly detailed work in the preparation, review, finalization and auditing of payroll and payroll related records and reports within the Auditor-Controller’s Office.
• Calculate State Disability Insurance integration for medical leave of absence; determine estimated weekly benefit.
• Compute payments due relating to the payroll function, including but not limited to, taxes, insurance premiums, retirement and other benefit programs.
• Process pay changes and payroll deductions including deferred compensation, retirement, and benefits.
• Reconcile payroll reports with retirement and health benefit records.
• Calculate and prepare payroll related general ledger entries; reconcile liabilities to the general ledger; prepare adjusting journal entries.
• Audit timesheets received from County departments; calculate changes in salary due to promotions, demotions, and merit increases.
• Review and validate medical benefits, pay rate, hours, CalPERS and other earnings and deductions to ensure payroll calculations are correct.
• Perform a variety of specialty payroll calculations including advancements, retro pay, and wage garnishments.
• Receive and respond to Verification of Employment for County employees.
• Process and audit new hire documentation and termination/final pay warrants; validate and compute final leave balance accruals and FLSA rate for compensatory time earned.
• Maintain records for employee payroll deductions and prepare reports and payments to various taxing, financial and insurance organizations, CalPERS and deferred compensation administrator.
• Provide training to other departmental staff regarding specialized procedures and requirements of the payroll system; receive, research and respond to questions from County staff.
• Maintain, calculate and verify employee leave records and prepare relevant reports.
• Compile, research, and prepare a variety of periodic and special reports relating to the payroll function.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies.
• Organize and maintain various files; type correspondence, reports, forms and other financial documents.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Work is typically performed in an indoor office environment and controlled temperature conditions. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Positions may require traveling to and from other locations in a variety of outdoor weather conditions and lifting materials and supplies of light weight.

Experience and Training

Experience: Two years of increasingly responsible journey level experience involving the preparation and processing of payroll and related documents.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by college level coursework in accounting or a related field

Knowledge of: 

• Principles and procedures of technical payroll accounting.
• Principles and practices of computer hardware and software including word processing, spreadsheets and database packages.
• Record keeping requirements, rules and regulations related to the payroll process.
• Payroll reporting laws and requirements of various state and federal agencies and insurance and financial firms.
• Basic business data processing principles and applications related to payroll processing.

Ability to:

• Perform specialized technical work related to the preparation, processing and maintenance of County’s payroll and payroll related records.
• Produce accurate payroll related reports. 
• On a continuous basis, sit at a desk and/or stand at a counter for long periods of time. Intermittently twist and reach office equipment; write and use keyboard to communicate through written means; run errands; lift light weight.
• Intermittently, review documents related to Department operations; observe, identify and solve problems of office operations and procedures; understand, interpret and explain Department policies and procedures; explain operations and problem solve office issues for the public and with staff.
• Perform computational tasks and other technical functions with speed and accuracy; compile and reconcile numerical and financial data.
• Provide technical assistance in payroll procedures to departmental personnel; train and assist other staff as necessary.
• Use modern office equipment and computers.
• Maintain confidential payroll related information.
• Work effectively under deadlines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public and fellow employees of the County.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Communicate effectively in writing and speaking.