Payroll Accountant I at Compassion International

This entry-level professional specialist supports the payroll function through conducting state and local registrations, creating and streamlining processes, reviewing and spot-checking payroll preparation, developing and administering processes, coding for benefit payments, and reporting accurately to all required tax entities. Specifically, this specialist protects Compassion’s financial integrity by ensuring tax registrations in various agencies as well as full compliance with regulatory issues such as local taxes and unemployment insurance requirements. At this level the incumbent may still be learning and assisting with projects for his or her assigned location and generally works under the guidance of her or his supervisor or a more experienced specialist or as a team member on larger projects.

 Responsibilities

• Maintains a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Is a consistent witness for Jesus Christ, maintains a courteous, Christ-like attitude in dealing with people within and outside of Compassion, and faithfully upholds Compassion’s ministry in prayer.
• Acts as an advocate to raise the awareness of the needs of children. Understands Christ’s mandate to protect children. Commits to and prioritizes child protection considerations in all decision-making, tasks and activities across the ministry. Abides by all behavioral expectations in Compassion’s Statement of Commitment to Child Protection and Code of Conduct. Reports any concerns of abuse, neglect or exploitation of children through Compassion’s internal reporting process and appropriately supports responses to incidents if they occur.
• The incumbent helps ensure that Compassion is registered and complying with all payroll related issues in each location. This requires the incumbent to complete significant, detailed research regarding taxes, tax rates changes, regulations, and other payroll items within all locations with Compassion staff.
• The incumbent participates in Workday updates with local municipal registration details such as, income tax, and other items required for payroll compliance in the jurisdiction. This often requires communicating with Systems, Finance, and Legal staff to ensure technology and processes are coordinated with legal requirements and best practices.
• Participates in audits of payroll accounts during each cycle. Monitors new hires, terminations, changes in pay, local tax requirements and records ensuring accuracy and proper submition. Ensures accuracy and proper adjustment as required. Helps with the setup and configuration of additional countries. Ensures all needed files, payments, and documentation are distributed to needed external agencies and internal departments.
• Helps ensure systems are in place to maintain accurate records of payroll transactions in compliance with applicable laws and best practices. Process payroll tax withholding preparation, reconciliation, and payment. Assists employees with payroll related questions.
• Evaluates payroll and timekeeping processes, makes changes based on the findings and ensures appropriate procedures and documentation are updated. Also implements changes in employment policies to accommodate unusual circumstances and changing organizational needs. Enforces relevant corporate finance policies and procedures and employee handbook policies.
• Collaborates with Finance and Benefits team to ensure process, policies, and cost charges satisfy business requirements and are accounted for efficiently.
• Audits and conducts reconciliations each payroll cycle. Oversees the correction of issues including instructing support staff, coordinating with Finance, Benefits, Systems teams. Modifies charge codes, processes, and automated system as necessary to maintain accurate and efficient payroll processing and interactions with other systems.

 Skills

• Requires conceptual knowledge of theories, practices and procedures within a job discipline
• Applies general knowledge  developed through education or past experience
• Accountable for own contributions
• Uses existing procedures to solve standard problems; analyzes information and standard practices to make judgments
• Exchanges straightforward information, asks questions and checks for understanding

QUALIFICATIONS

Culture

• Accountable for supporting, upholding, and engaging in Compassion’s core “Cultural Behaviors” in all internal and external communication and relationships.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Finance, Accounting, or related field