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:

– Supervisor

Base Description:

– Supervises direct reports, but primarily completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates appropriate knowledge to perform own work; spends majority of time on tasks related to own job responsibilities. Demonstrates baseline planning, organizing, directing, and facilitating skills. Reviews completed work of others to verify accuracy and quality. Follows recommended approaches to assigned work. Supervises assigned staff and coordinates routine work activities. Monitors employee interactions and facilitates a productive working environment. Communicates instructions and policies in a consistent, effective and timely manner. Identifies and addresses concerns appropriately. Makes recommendations for possible solutions.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Typically oversees at least 2 full–time direct reports or equivalent team of part–time and/or student workers (for Support track, performs work at Senior Support level or higher; for Professional track, performs work at the Advanced Professional level or higher)

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices
– May monitor/track budgets for specific area and/or grant(s)

Problem Solving:

– Encounters generally routine problems with progressively more complex and/or varied problems
– Typically follows standard operating procedures to resolve problems
– May apply specialized knowledge and skills to resolve complex and/or varied problems
– Applies proven and tries new approaches when solving problems

Independence of Action:

– Works with minimal supervision on difficult work assignments, conferring with manager on unusual matters
– Follows precedents and procedures
– Organizes work of direct reports and may set priorities within general guidelines established by manager
– Reviews the work of others to verify accuracy, quality, and conformance to required procedures and special instructions

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally within working unit and the University
– Communicates with external audiences for scheduling/coordination
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Collaborates closely with team members; may interact with other staff outside of area
– Utilizes a communication style that is appropriate for a given situation
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly and accurately both verbally and in written materials

• Comp Grade – 9
• Minimum – $56,200.00
• MidPoint – $68,800.00
• Maximum – $81,500.00

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