The State Accounting Office (SAO) provides accounting and financial reporting expertise for the State and is statutorily responsible for statewide financial reporting. The SAO also provides enterprise oversight and management of the State’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, accounting policy development, financial business process improvement recommendations, and management of the payroll and accounting shared service centers.

Position Description:

The SAO Payroll Team serves as the state’s payroll processor; we do not outsource to a third party.  The team provides timely and accurate payroll processing and related services on behalf of multiple state agencies and their 14,000+ employees.  This includes responding to complex payroll problems such as retro payments and benefit reconciliations to calculating FLSA over-time and garnishment deductions.  The team also ensures compliance with state/federal law and regulations all while providing exemplary customer service.  SAO and our customers expect above average attention to detail, a customer-focused demeanor, a willingness to work with a team, an eagerness to learn and flexibility during peak payroll periods.

The ideal candidate will have an eagerness to learn from staff with over 20+ years combined experience, a work ethic dedicated to completing payroll entries with excellence and within specified deadlines, and excitement to be participative in change and improvements.

Proven payroll or accounting knowledge and work experience is required for this position.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

·         Enters, processes/records/transmits, and proofs payroll data submitted by various agencies accurately and against firm deadlines

·         Processes and enters garnishments, levies, and other court ordered payments into payroll panels

·         Audits job data transactions for accuracy by analyzing Payroll System calculation; researches and applies corrective action with support of higher-level staff as needed

·         Calculates, verifies, and processes deductions; disburses payments in accordance with established timelines

·         Reviews, processes, and verifies paychecks for new hire and terminated employees and maintains spreadsheets to monitor and code exceptions

·         Reviews and verifies earnings transactions and maintains spreadsheets to monitor exceptions

·         Exhibits professional demeanor in all correspondence and interactions with customers, leadership, and team members

·         Performs general clerical responsibilities related to payroll and administrative-related functions

·         Contributes to the success of Payroll Shared Services by performing other duties and responsibilities as assigned with a positive attitude and team-oriented spirit

Skills and Competencies:

·         Detail oriented, exhibiting strong organizational, and analytical skills

·         Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions

·         Ability to coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously

·         Exhibit high level of discretion and confidentiality

·         Self-motivated, organized and effectively achieves team goals

·         Team player who works well in a collaborative environment

·         Strong work ethic with willingness to work against hard deadlines

·         Motivated to learn and excel for promotional opportunities

·         Ability to work independently

Minimum Qualifications:

Payroll Technician 1 – FIT050

Pay Grade: G

Salary range: $33,042.45 - $42,703.38

High school diploma/GED and one (1) year of job-related experience.

Payroll Technician 2 – FIT051

Pay Grade: H

Salary range: $35,618.70 - $46,245.72

High school diploma/GED and two (2) years of job-related experience; or one year (1) of experience at the lower-level Payroll Tech 1 (FIT050) or equivalent position.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preference may be given to applicants who, in addition to meeting the Minimum Qualifications, possess the following:

·         Obtained or currently enrolled pursuing a degree in Accounting/Business from an accredited college/university

·         Proficiency in Microsoft Excel; including V-Lookups, pivot tables

·         General knowledge of other Microsoft software programs: Outlook, Word, PowerPoint

·         1+ years’ experience using PeopleSoft HCM – Payroll modules and\or PeopleSoft Financials – Accounts Payable module

·         Knowledge/Experience of general payroll functions and principles

Application/Resume must clearly describe relevant qualifications and experience. Specific skills will be tested prior to interview. These may include Microsoft Office Suite, scenario-based decision making, general calculating, and problem-solving analysis.

Important Notes:

The SAO offers flexible work hours in a hybrid in-office/remote work environment.

Candidates interested in employment with the SAO must:

·         Successfully pass a background check; including, criminal background/records check, employment and education verification, employment reference checks, credit evaluation and professional license checks, where applicable;

·         Upon, and throughout, employment, both reside and work in the State of Georgia; and

·         Be legally authorized to work in the United States; the SAO does not offer sponsorships for current or future employment visas (e.g., H-1B employment visas)

All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview.  Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring agency for next steps in the selection process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification.

This posting may close at any time prior to the published closing date once a suitable applicant pool is identified.

The State Accounting Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer