HomeMy WebLinkAboutSenior Accountant - PayrollUpdated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Senior Accountant - Payroll
Department: Finance
Division: Accounting
Supervisor: Assistant Finance Director
FLSA: Exempt
Civil Service: Yes
Pay Grade: 12
Job Number: 1225
Job Summary
Under limited direction, coordinates and performs payroll activities, which include a variety of
administrative and general accounting duties in accordance with applicable laws. This position
has the primary responsibility for the maintenance and support of the payroll and timekeeping
systems.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive
or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Processes biweekly payroll for all City employees; verifies and reconciles payroll balances
for each payroll cycle.
• Calculates and processes payments for employee deductions, direct deposits, and
employer share expense payments.
• Reviews and analyzes bi-weekly payroll, looks for errors and resolves discrepancies.
• Processes quarterly and annual Federal and State payroll tax reports; reconciles payroll
bank account monthly, quarterly and year to date.
• Maintains and supports the Munis payroll module.
• Trains and supports City employees on the Kronos timekeeping system.
• Updates and balances employee status and payment information with City's disability,
AD&D and life insurers; balances Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
(COBRA) and retiree accounts.
• Calculates, processes, monitors, and maintains employees' garnishment and child
support records in accordance with State and Federal laws.
• Maintains system deduction codes and tax tables, updating as necessary for changes in
union contracts, administrative policies, pension contributions, retirement plans and
federal and state withholding tables.
• Balances year end payroll system procedures, coordinates, processes, and distributes
year end W2s and other income reporting forms.
• Updates and maintains payroll procedure manual.
• Verifies and reconciles automated bank clearinghouse totals.
• Maintains online employee payroll records; enters payroll information including new
employees and changes for existing employees.
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
• Maintains working knowledge of all City government union contracts and administrative
policies.
• Participates in continuing education to maintain knowledge of current state and federal
laws and regulations related to payroll, retirement systems, local garnishments, and
levies.
• Maintains compliance with Internal Revenue Service and state rules for appropriate tax
calculations and appropriate filings.
• Receives cross training as back-up in other accounting functions and trains coworkers for
back up in these job duties.
• Conducts self in a professional manner which demonstrates courtesy and respect for all
community members and coworkers.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution; or four years of related
experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience. Degree in
Accounting.
• Must pass criminal background check.
Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution and one year of related
experience; or five years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of
education and experience. Experience in governmental accounting, Munis ERP financial
system, Kronos, Workforce Ready, and timekeeping system.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions,
proportions, percentages, ability to develop and present mathematical and statistical
information, review records, determine proper entries, and prepare reports.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of
managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or
schedule form.
• Ability to manage numerous deadlines.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals,
technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to reconcile accounts and ability understand and apply generally accepted
accounting principles.
• Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in
situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
• Knowledge of Federal and State payroll laws and practices, electronic timekeeping
systems, payroll systems and clerical and financial record keeping procedures.
• Skill in communicating and working with departments and employees in understanding
complex payroll-related issues.
• Skill in data analysis, problem solving and spreadsheet development.
• Skill in using computers and applicable software applications (Microsoft Office – Word,
Excel, Outlook) and financial management software (Kronos, Munis, Workforce Ready,
timekeeping).
Supervision
No supervision of direct reports.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
the essential duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The
employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands
and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or
crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision
abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception
and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
duties and responsibilities.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Duties are generally performed in
an office setting with a controlled environment. The job requires sitting for extended periods of
time and the work may expose the employee to unpleasant social situations and significant
work pace pressure.
Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with
disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential
accommodations with the employer.
Reviewed/Approved by: Nicole Davies, Finance Director (4/2024)
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
I have read and understand the duties of this job description, and I
agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable
accommodation.
Employee Date
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