Payroll Accountant

Position Summary: Performs professional, technical, and administrative work in managing and processing payroll and benefits for the organization, including related accounting and reporting functions. Oversee the accounting operations of the Kentucky League of Cities’ Unemployment Compensation Reimbursable Trust (UCRT), ensuring accurate financial management, reporting, and support for member cities. Ensures all payroll, benefit, and trust activities are conducted in compliance with applicable regulations, accounting standards, and organizational policies.

Work is performed under the general supervision of the Director of Accounting and Chief Financial Officer. This is sedentary to light work that requires limited physical effort.

• Performs all activities necessary to process payroll including maintaining related records, reviewing, and reconciling filed tax reports and voluntary deduction reports, processing involuntary deductions such as levies and garnishments, preparing accounting transactions and documents, documenting, and updating procedures and preparing special reports for management.
• Reviews and reconciles all payroll tax activities, including compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, and filing local, state, and federal payroll tax returns that are prepared by an outside vendor.
• Assists with benefit open enrollment.
• Reconciles all employee benefits and processes payments to benefit providers.
• Performs a variety of administrative duties involved in all aspects of employee benefit information.
• Prepares all payroll reports related to payroll processing and retirement plans.
• Provides information to new and current employees, retirees, providers and/or administrators.
• Maintains confidentiality and professionalism in handling payroll, benefits, and member trust.
• Manages fund accounting for the UCRT, including recording member contributions, processing reimbursements, preparing reconciliations, and ensuring compliance with trust requirements. Responds to member inquiries regarding the UCRT, updates contact information and provides support in a timely and professional manner.
• Prepares and distributes quarterly UCRT financial reports that are accurate, clear, and timely.
• Acts as liaison between UCRT members and external partners such as Equifax, coordinating unemployment claims activity and ensuring effective collaboration.
• Performs full accounting services for an assigned outside organization, including invoicing, reconciliations, financial reporting, and support for audits.
• Prepares invoices, reconciles accounts, and provides financial support for an outside association as assigned.
• Performs a variety of accounting functions requiring professional competency.
• Uses judgment and professional skills in determining appropriate procedures for the preparation of accounting records, research of transactions and financial reporting.
• Generates, reviews, analyzes, and communicates financial data that reflects actual financial performance against approved budgets.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of all required internal and external partnerships in the effective delivery of accounting services.
• Ensures that all accounting activities are in compliance with applicable regulations, accounting standards, deadlines, and standard operating procedures.
• Facilitates the written documentation of required processes, procedures, and activities.
• Recommends and implements required changes to area operations as required and in support of continuous improvement.
• Performs related or additional tasks or special projects as required at the request of the Director of Accounting and Chief Financial Officer.
• Interacts with auditors and assists independent auditors with interim and year-end audits, as appropriate.
• Develops Excel spreadsheets to improve efficiency of recordkeeping and balancing.
• Performs a variety of accounting functions requiring professional competency.
• Maintains financial reports, records, and general ledger accounts.
• Prepares journal entries, analyses, and account reconciliations and assists with monthly close processes.
• Serves as backup for other accounting staff as needed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  Thorough knowledge of everchanging legal and regulatory compliance for benefit plans, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, OSHA, ERISA and Section 125 benefit-related state and federal laws; thorough knowledge of accounting principles, practices, methods and techniques commonly employed in payroll administration and compliance with federal, state and local regulations; excellent written and oral communication skills with ability to effectively communicate compensation and benefit packages to employees complying with company policies and procedures; computer proficiency and strong analytical skills required; experience with Paylocity and Business Central Dynamics 365 preferred; advanced knowledge of Excel including developing and understanding spreadsheets and complex formulas; good problem-solving and time management skills; highly organized and detail-oriented; strong customer service, and written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with members and external partners; and ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines.

Education and Experience: Associate or bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum of five years of payroll accounting experience.

Special Requirements: Possession of an appropriate driver’s license valid in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.