Payroll Accountant II

About the Employer

Accountant II - Payroll

Position Details

Work Calendar: 242 day calendar starting wage: $83,450 annually FTE: 1.0 (40 hours per week) Salary Schedule/Lane: 42/D/01 Contract Status: Contract Benefits: Eligible FLSA Status: Exempt Anticipated Start Date: 10/12/2026 Reports To: Director of Finance Priority Screen Date: 09/09/2026

Positions Available: One Vacancy

Job Summary

The Accountant II - Payroll has full ownership of the district’s payroll cycle and supervises the activities of the payroll department, including developing reporting procedures and internal controls; implementing procedures and processes; ensuring the accuracy of payroll-related data and compliance with district and regulatory agency requirements and guidelines; and monitoring employee performance to achieve the department’s overall objectives.

Minimum Required Qualifications

All positions require selected candidates to be fingerprinted and successfully pass a criminal background check. Additional minimum required qualifications for this position are:

Bachelor's degree with 5+ years experience in payroll-related area or 3+ years payroll-related experience with Master's degree Experience applying accounting principles and pertinent federal, state, and local tax codes, policies, and regulations and/or laws Experience using electronic payroll software systems to regularly issue pay to 50+ employees Intermediate level of Microsoft Office Suite skills (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) Speak, read, write, and present professionally, analyze, and interpret English written and verbal communications Ability to operate standard office equipment; phone, copy machines, etc.

Preferred Qualifications

These are examples of skills and experience that the best-qualified candidates may have. Not having one or all of them does not disqualify any candidate from consideration.

CPA Certification or CPA Candidate Experience using Business Plus Experience working in K-12 Education, or other government entity Experience using UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group) for processing payroll Experience using Microsoft Access Experience supervising two or more staff

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

Consistently and reliably processes payroll checks and associated withholdings to pay employees, taxes, withholdings, garnishments, and vendors; collaborates with Human Resources Services to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing.
Authorize supplemental payroll checks to meet special compensation requirements and resolve payroll errors in a timely manner.
Understand contract pay and correctly calculate pay for incoming and outgoing employees and other contract variance circumstances.
Collects and analyzes research material and data (e.g., financial information, state and federal mandates, etc.) to evaluate, make recommendations, and report on the effectiveness of financial, budgetary, receipts, revenue, and payroll accounting.
Implement reporting procedures and internal controls to maintain accurate records and comply with standard accounting practices, district policies, and other regulatory requirements; monitors and implements changes in payroll laws and regulations to ensure compliance.
Informs a variety of district stakeholders (e.g., personnel, vendors, administrators, etc.) and provides necessary information for completing transactions and procedures, taking appropriate actions, and complying with established fiscal guidelines.
Monitors a variety of financial activity, ensuring that allocations are accurate and fiscal practices are followed.
Attends department and district meetings, workshops, and seminars as needed to support payroll and department functions.
Maintains a wide variety of documents, files, and records (e.g., accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, contracts, etc.) and prepares written materials (e.g., reports, W-2, 941, memos, letters, procedures, manuals, etc.) to provide an up-to-date reference, documentation of activities, ensure compliance, and provide written reference and/or conveying information and an audit trail.
Assists auditors by providing required information and coordinating necessary project activities.
Reconciles related general ledger payroll accounts and prepares journal entries as needed to ensure that all contributions and deductions are properly recorded and remitted; analyzes, summarizes, interprets, and reviews data to make appropriate recommendations.
Researches discrepancies of payroll information and/or documentation to ensure accuracy and implements corrective measures, as necessary.
Trains payroll personnel to provide information on proper operation of electronic systems and other payroll-related topics.
Transfers funds electronically through the bank to pay federal income, FICA, and Medicare taxes.
Presenting information on a variety of topics to communicate information, gain feedback, and ensure adherence to established internal controls.
Provides technical expertise and direction (e.g., internal processes, accounting procedures, etc.) to convey pertinent information to appropriate parties.
Responds to a variety of inquiries (e.g., staff, administration, vendors, etc.) to provide information, direction, and referral for addressing inquiries.
Supervises and provides leadership and guidance to assigned personnel, including workload assignments, training, evaluations, performance management, monitoring of quality and quantity of work, scheduling time off, providing technical assistance and training, coaching, employee relations, time approval, etc., ensuring accurate, timely, and smooth completion of department responsibilities and goals; and to enhance personnel productivity and achieving objectives within budget.
Supports a team environment by collaborating with own and other work units to effectively perform the duties of the position.
Communicates effectively with diverse individuals while maintaining confidentiality and building positive working relationships with employees and stakeholders.
Adapts to changing work priorities and works with frequent interruptions, as required.
Works under limited supervision, utilizing time management and prioritization strategies, accurately processing detailed information and meeting deadlines.
Speaks, reads, writes, analyzes, understands, and follows written and verbal communication in English including grammar and punctuation; listens to, and understands information and ideas presented verbally or in writing.
Maintains regular and predictable attendance to fulfill job requirements efficiently and effectively.
As needed, rolls, pushes, pulls, bends, reaches, stoops, and lifts up to 25 pounds.
Performs other related duties as assigned to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Employee Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

Accountant II Physical Demands Form

The Salt Lake City School District is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, and its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Human Resource Services – Salt Lake City Schools (slcschools.org) or call 801-578-8340.

Non-Discrimination Statement

No district employee or student shall be subjected to discrimination in employment or any district program or activity on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. The district is committed to providing equal access and equal opportunity in its programs, services, and employment including its policies, complaint processes, program accessibility, district facility use, accommodations, and other equal employment opportunity matters. The district also provides equal access to district facilities for all youth groups listed in Title 36 of the United States Code, including scouting groups.
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries and complaints regarding unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation: Tina Hatch, Compliance and Investigations/Title IX Coordinator, 406 East 100 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111, (801) 578-8340. You may also contact the office for civil rights, Denver, CO, (303) 844-5695.