Payroll Coordinator

About the University

The University of Georgia (UGA), established in 1785, is the nation's oldest public higher education institution and Georgia's flagship university. Located primarily in Athens, GA, the university boasts an enrollment exceeding 41,000 students with over 3,100 faculty and 7,700 full-time staff. UGA is recognized among the top 20 U.S. public universities and comprises 19 schools and colleges including a recently established School of Medicine.

Position Overview

The Payroll Coordinator for Auxiliary Finance is responsible for assisting with oversight of all payroll processes within the division, such as payroll reconciliation, absence management, special pay processing, payroll validations, and more. This role establishes procedures to ensure prompt execution of payroll functions and acts as a liaison between Auxiliary Service employees, supervisors, management, and Central Payroll. It also collaborates with Auxiliary Human Resources to enhance processes related to terminations, administrative leaves, and payroll retro adjustments. Furthermore, responsibilities include general ledger posting and reconciliation of payroll-related finances.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Support division-wide payroll process oversight: reconcile payroll, manage absence tracking, handle missed time punches, process special and emergency pay, and validate payroll accuracy.
• Audit payroll records, identify discrepancies, and work toward resolution by coordinating with unit managers and supervisors ensuring adherence to university guidelines.
• Collaborate with Auxiliary Services Human Resources to report payroll activities including salary adjustments, time and absence approvals, off-cycle payroll requests, retirements, and student pay.
• Develop and implement payroll training materials and procedures while liaising with Central Payroll and IT for payroll-related technical support including time clock enrollment.
• Manage and reconcile general ledger accounts relating to payroll, assist with combo code setup, labor movement requests, and revenue recognition from payroll deductions.
• Compile and generate internal and external payroll reports to support various organizational needs such as taxable fringe benefit reporting and special event payrolls.
• Offer recommendations to improve payroll processes and support projects involving financial and payroll data analysis within Auxiliary Services.
• Train and guide staff involved in payroll operations, provide resources for proper timesheet reporting and absence management, and potentially supervise student personnel.
• Respond promptly to payroll process inquiries, promote positive work environment within the division, and assist leadership with payroll-related challenges.

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent plus a minimum of two years related payroll or administrative experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to work across a diverse community.
• Ability to make confidential decisions and resolve sensitive issues appropriately.
• Analytical skills to interpret complex data and solve problems effectively.
• Proficiency with software applications for data management and payroll systems.
• Exceptional organizational skills to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced setting.
• Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy.
• Familiarity with human resources and payroll systems and generating payroll data queries.

Work Conditions and Physical Demands

• Sitting at a desk and computer work for extended periods.
• Standing for prolonged times as required.
• Lifting or carrying items weighing up to 30 pounds.

Additional Information

The position is full-time (40 hours per week), typically Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM, located in Athens, GA. It is classified as Payroll Technician II, non-exempt, and includes benefits eligibility. Employment is contingent upon successful background checks, including criminal, credit, and possibly pre-employment drug screening due to financial responsibilities associated with the role. The university is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity without regard to age, race, gender, disability, or other protected statuses. The recruitment contact is available for questions related to this role.