Payroll Specialist II

As a Payroll Specialist II at our university, you'll have a range of key responsibilities. Primarily, you will audit and approve incoming payroll data, calculate time corrections, and troubleshoot any errors that may emerge during the payroll process. Additionally, you'll manage wage garnishments, correspond with employees and managers to answer payroll-related questions, and even train new payroll employees. Your role will also include creating and managing payroll reports, ensuring that all operations are compliant with established payroll policies.

To qualify for the Payroll Specialist II position at our university, candidates must possess a High School Diploma or equivalent, alongside 3 to 5 years of previous payroll processing experience. Strong communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal, are essential for effectively liaising with employees and managers. Being detail-oriented is crucial for maintaining accuracy, and while a Bachelor’s degree is preferred, having relevant experience, particularly with payroll systems such as Workday and ADP, will enhance your suitability for this role.

For the Payroll Specialist II role at our university, familiarity and prior experience with payroll systems such as Workday and ADP are highly advantageous. Additionally, competency with Microsoft Excel is important as you will be creating and managing daily and weekly payroll reports. These skills will help streamline your workflow and enable you to effectively manage the diverse demands of payroll processing.

Our university takes its commitment to equality seriously, adhering to all regulations under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and other applicable federal and state laws. We evaluate all candidates strictly based on the job requirements, without bias related to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, or any other protected statuses. As we aim to create a fair hiring process, we encourage diverse applicants to apply for the Payroll Specialist II position.

Payroll Specialists II at our university can expect a supportive hybrid work environment, which balances in-office collaboration with the flexibility of remote work. We believe this setup promotes productivity and work-life balance, allowing our team members to engage fully while also accommodating personal needs. We value the contributions of our payroll team and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and positive atmosphere to optimize each member's performance.

In responding to this question, be specific about your past payroll roles and the number of employees you managed. Discuss the systems you used, such as ADP or Workday, and elaborate on how you resolved common payroll issues, ensuring that your answers reflect your problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

To answer this effectively, mention practices like double-checking entries, maintaining organized documentation, and using payroll software features for audits. Discuss any experiences with correcting errors and how you communicated those changes to affected employees, showcasing your commitment to accuracy and transparency.

It's important to demonstrate your time management and prioritization skills when addressing this question. Share examples of stressful situations you've faced in the past, how you approached them, and what strategies you employed to meet deadlines while maintaining high-quality accuracy.

When replying, focus on your previous experience in training roles. Highlight methods you've used to facilitate learning and ensure that new employees grasp essential payroll processes. This could include hands-on training, creating documentation, or using teaching tools to foster understanding.

Explain your approach to continuous professional development by discussing the resources you use, such as webinars, professional organizations, or relevant courses. This shows interviewers you're proactive about compliance, which is crucial in payroll processing.

Use a specific instance that demonstrates your analytical skills and resources you used to resolve the issue. Talk about the steps you took to identify the source of the error, how you communicated with employees about the issue, and what follow-up actions were necessary to ensure it didn’t happen again.

Discuss how effective communication is vital for troubleshooting payroll issues, clarifying policies, and maintaining strong relationships with team members and employees. Provide real-world examples of situations where clear communication mitigated misunderstandings or increased efficiency.

It's vital to show your conflict resolution skills here. Talk about the importance of being open to feedback and how you would approach the situation diplomatically, referring to documentation and policies to support your decision while remaining receptive to discussion.

Provide insights into current payroll challenges, such as keeping up with legislation changes, handling remote work scenarios, or adopting new technologies. By addressing these topics, you demonstrate your understanding of the industry's landscape and your readiness to tackle potential challenges.

This is a chance to express your passion for payroll and the values of the university. Research the institution's mission and values beforehand and align your personal goals with theirs, emphasizing your desire to contribute to a positive work environment and support a large workforce effectively.