Fiscal Analyst 3 - Payroll

Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA Full-time Accounting

Posted on April 20, 2024

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Fiscal Analyst 3 - Payroll

About Eastern Washington University:
Eastern Washington University, a regional, comprehensive public university with an enrollment of over 10,000 students, is one of six state-funded four-year institutions of higher education in Washington, each governed by its own board of trustees. EWU’s 300-acre main campus is located in Cheney, a community of 12,000 residents 16 miles southwest of Washington’s second largest city, Spokane. Eastern also offers programs in downtown Spokane at the innovative, energy-efficient Catalyst building, the SIERR building which is a hub for research, development and advancement of health sciences, and at Riverpoint, a campus shared with Washington State University. In addition, EWU programs can be found at select locations throughout the state, aligned with the needs of the community. Eastern contributes to the vitality of the region and the state through its wide array of bachelor’s and master’s degrees in over 100 fields of study, as well as applied doctorates in physical therapy and educational leadership, offering accessible pathways to career success and personal development to students of all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

Eastern Washington University has been recognized for its commitment to helping undergraduate students learn, grow and succeed by Colleges of Distinction, a nationally trusted resource guide for college-bound students. The honor recognizes Eastern as a ’22-’23 College of Distinction (CoD). Money magazine recently named EWU as one of its Best Colleges in America 2023.
Tribal Land Acknowledgement
Eastern Washington University resides within the traditional homelands of the Spokane People and other tribes who are connected through their shared history of this region. This land holds their cultural DNA and it is their Ancestors who are here and bring forth the knowledge of this place—the knowledge that comes from the land.

Job Summary:
Eastern Washington University is currently seeking a Fiscal Analyst 3. This position will perform senior level specialized payroll activities under general supervision within the payroll section of the Office of Controller. This position independently plans, coordinates and conducts its assigned workload. Assigned tasks rotate among all senior level FA3 positions within the payroll office to provide adequate cross training and backup of necessary and vital payroll responsibilities.

In addition to salary, the university offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, life and disability insurance and retirement. In addition, EWU offers generous vacation and sick leave accruals, 13 paid holidays per year and fringe benefits, such as tuition waiver for employees, discounted EWU sports tickets, full access to our campus workout facilities at a minimum fee and free transportation through STA buses. For additional information regarding insurance benefits please see our Benefits page: https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/benefits/insurance/

EWU expands opportunities for personal transformation through excellence in learning.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree which includes 18 quarter or 12 semester hours in accounting and/or auditing by start date.
Minimum two years of relevant professional experience in financial areas such as: payroll, accounting, auditing, financial transaction reconciliation, financial reporting, fiscal tracking and monitoring, governmental experience, general or higher education, tax preparation.
Detail oriented working experience with a high degree of accuracy.
Excellent organizational and time management skills.
Must be self-directed and able to complete projects with limited supervision.
Advanced skills using Microsoft Office products, Excel and Word.
Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills.
Candidate must demonstrate interest, ability and/or experience promoting cultural competency, universal accessibility and/or diversity.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with Ellucian (Banner) or similar integrated payroll enterprise systems.
Experience working in a payroll office.

Other Skills and Abilities:

Excellent interpersonal skills.
Ability to effectively problem solve and think analytically

Job Duties:
% of Time: 75
Responsibility / Duty: Payroll Processing, Reporting and Validation
This position is a key employee in payroll processing, performing the following activities:
• Run the payroll processing cycle on a rotating basis with other payroll staff
• Set-up deductions in the payroll system and calculate and input needed adjustments including garnishments, medical, retirement and other miscellaneous deductions
• Calculate, verify and enter leave and comp-time cash-outs, retro pay and timesheet corrections
• Calculate, verify, collect and input overpayments
• Correspond with employees and take corrective action as needed for deduction adjustments and overpayments
• Calculate shared leave hours given, received and returned for employees
• Verify payroll input and calculations of other payroll staff
• Prepare and verify vendor payments and journal entries. This includes electronically uploading payroll data and payments
• Responsible for deduction/benefits reconciliations of payroll and vendor accounts
• Serve as liaison with vendors, benefits office and information technology staff
• Prepare regular and amended quarterly payroll reports for state and federal taxes
• Research payroll requirements for establishing other state tax reporting
• Annually assist with W2 preparation and reporting
• Assist with researching rules, laws, policies and procedures using different sources, such as authoritative manuals, union contracts, IRS and State laws, in order to update and maintain the payroll system
Essential Function Indicator: Yes

% of Time: 10
Responsibility / Duty: Payroll System Maintenance
• Assist with implementation and maintenance of the Banner HR/Payroll system, which includes interpreting regulations and applying them to system processes
• Update and verify tables in the payroll system, such as deductions, earnings, and the payroll calendar
• Test changes and upgrades by running test payrolls and validating outcomes
Essential Function Indicator: Yes

% of Time: 10
Responsibility / Duty: Procedure Maintenance and Documentation
• Assist in the review and implementation of changes to internal procedures for compliance with EWU, state and federal policies, procedures and regulations
• Continual review of payroll processing for efficiency and improvements
• Answer questions from employees and department personnel on payroll procedures and policies
• Notify campus community of payroll deadlines and processing changes
• Draft or suggest edits to written payroll procedures for both departmental use and outward-facing to the campus
• Draft campus wide emails and send website update requests as needed
Essential Function Indicator: Yes

% of Time: 5
Responsibility / Duty: Other
• Utilize system query tools and the report writer for data validation, reporting and problem solving
• Answer employee questions related to paychecks, deductions, etc.
• Answer questions from university department personnel related to payroll feeds to the Finance system
• Perform other duties as required
Essential Function Indicator: Yes

Conditions of Employment:

This position, during the course of university employment will be involved in the receipt of, or accountability for, university funds or other items of value. Successful applicant will be required to pass a background check prior to first date of employment.
All new employees will comply with EWU Immunization Policy 602-02 and provide proof of immunity or vaccination to MMR before beginning work at EWU. Waivers for the immunization requirements are available for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs.
Upon hire employees will complete required DEI, Hazing, and Harassment and Title IX training. The online training is located at https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/training/orientation/ or complete the training in person or via Zoom. In person and Zoom training opportunities will be posted on InsideEWU and are listed on our Human Resources site at: https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/training/.
This position is covered by the Washington Federation of State Employees’ Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Salary Information: $52,392 – $70,476 Where the hired candidate will begin within this range is dependent on education, experience, and skills.

Posting Date: 03/19/2024
Open Until Further Notice: Yes
Closing Date:
Screening to Begin: 04/03/2024

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Submit your application materials through our online applications portal provided below. If you are unable to submit through the applicant portal, please contact Human Resources Services at (509) 359-2381.

To apply, visit https://jobs.hr.ewu.edu/postings/11955

EWU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, age, marital status, families with children, protected veteran or military status, HIV or hepatitis C, status as a mother breastfeeding her child, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, as provided for and to the extent required by state and federal laws.

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