Penn State Job Catalog

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Payroll Support

The Payroll Associate is responsible for the accurate and timely preparation, processing, and reconciliation of university payrolls in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations; ensures data integrity in payroll systems; supports the implementation of payroll policies and procedures; serves as a point of contact for payroll-related inquiries from employees.

• Prepare and input monthly payroll data, including salary, overtime, shift payments, deferred compensation, and other compensation adjustments
• Calculate gross and net pay, ensuring proper deductions for taxes, benefits, garnishments, and other withholdings
• Reconcile payroll records, including payments, deductions, and general ledger entries, to ensure accuracy and consistency
• Assist in producing and distributing payroll reports for internal use and compliance purposes
• Assist with processing and reconciling federal, state, and local payroll tax payments and filings; support W-2 and 1042-S generation and distribution
• Monitor and ensure compliance with current payroll-related legislation, tax regulations, and university policies
• Assist with foreign national taxation processes to ensure compliance with IRS and institutional requirements
• Perform audits of payroll data, identify discrepancies, and resolve payroll issues in a timely and efficient manner
• Collaborate with Human Resources and Finance departments to coordinate payroll changes, reporting, and budgeting
• Assist in the administration of leave accruals (vacation, sick leave, FMLA, etc.) and related payroll implications
• Maintain secure and confidential employee payroll records and ensure data integrity in the payroll system
• Support year-end and fiscal year-end payroll processing, including audit preparation and reporting for W-2 and 1042-S forms
• Provide prompt and courteous support to employees regarding payroll inquiries, paycheck discrepancies, and tax documentation
• Participate in payroll system upgrades, testing, and implementation of new modules or compliance updates
• Document and maintain standard operating procedures for payroll processes
• May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Level:

– Intermediate Support

Base Description:

– Completes administrative activities and tasks of a technical or functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates ability to perform intermediate tasks in defined skill areas. Demonstrates intermediate knowledge of internal procedures. Works under general supervision, performing assignments that may be varied and sometimes difficult. Supports team decisions and follows through with team responsibilities. Interprets and communicates information clearly and accurately. Demonstrates intermediate problem–solving skills.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– May provide basic direction to lower level support staff

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Handles routine financial transactions
– May validate and pay invoices

Problem Solving:

– Encounters generally routine problems; occasionally faces more complex and/or varied problems
– Typically follows recommended course of action and procedures to resolve problems
– Applies knowledge of institutional policies and procedures in determining course of action

Independence of Action:

– Work is generally monitored by supervisor
– Detailed instructions and procedures are generally provided
– Uses available guidelines to make appropriate adaptations to routine situations and refers other situations to supervisor

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally within working unit and/or the University
– May communicate with external audiences for scheduling/coordination
– Collaborates closely with team members
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly and accurately both verbally and in written materials that may be intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 6
• Minimum – $42,100.00
• MidPoint – $51,600.00
• Maximum – $61,000.00

• Attention To Detail
• Conflict Resolution
• Customer Service
• Data Analysis
• Data Collection
• Data integrity
• Data processing
• Records management

• General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
• High School (HS)