Payroll Accountant

JOB SUMMARY:

The Payroll Accountant applies Generally Accepted Accounting Principles to prepare, analyze, reconcile, and track financial data, accounting transactions, cash management, and internal controls. This role also involves collaborating with colleagues across these areas to ensure accuracy and compliance. A key focus of the Payroll Accountant is process evaluation and continuous improvement, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency and strengthen accounting and payroll operations while maintaining compliance with financial regulations.

 

REPORTS TO:  Supervisor of Payroll

 

COMPENSATION: $28.84/hr. - $30.28/hr. ($60,000-$63,000 annually) (depending on experience)

 

BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Staying Healthy: Medical, Dental, and Vision (Dental & Vision currently free), Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Feeling Secure: Disability Insurance, Pension Plan, NY State Deferred Compensation Plan, Life & Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance, Accident Insurance, Group Specified Disease Insurance and Hospital Insurance
• Work-Life Balance: Paid Time Off (PTO: 17 days upon hire; accrue additional time after 1 year), Employee Assistance Program, Paid Holidays, Verizon Wireless Discount, On-site Fitness Center open 24/7, Employee Wellness Program, Culture & Inclusion Council, BJ's Wholesale Club Discount, and more!

Click here to view current medical plan rates!

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Analyze current accounting processes and workflows to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement.
• Assist with processing of payroll for RTS Monroe and Regional Operations on a bi-weekly basis.
• Process Payroll Interface in Lawson.
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of tax payments and filings.
• Review quarterly tax withholding returns.
• Back-up for New York State retirement report submission.
• Prepare and submit annual New York State Self Insurers Disability report.
• Prepare and submit annual New York State Abandoned Property reports related to payroll.  Maintain file of stale dated items and provide due diligence notification to payees.
• Record daily cash, check, farebox deposits and credit card receipts in Lawson accounting system and reconcile to source detail.
• Input cash transfers, payroll, and investment vouchers to Lawson.
• Complete all monthly billing and collection of accounts receivable for RTS Monroe and Regional Operations.
• Record ticket vending machine sales and monthly operating assistance and mortgage recording tax revenue.
• Follow up as needed with delinquent customers regarding past due balances and bounced checks.
• Work with Accounting Specialist to record payments received through Charter Service portal.
• Verifies checks before deposit is made via remote check machine or bank deposit.
• Record JARC receivable.
• Book Wayne DSS share to deferred revenue.
• Prepare city fuel invoicing.
• Prepare GTC route analysis claim for RGRTA/RTS Admin reimbursement related to bus routes.
• Prepare reconciliation related to website sales and general accounts receivable.
• Prepare monthly reporting of Regional and miscellaneous revenue.
• Stay up to date on industry trends and best practices to incorporate innovative solutions into accounting and payroll processes.

 

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as Petty Cash Custodian by issuing payment to employees and preparing reconciliation report for review.
• Administer Welfare-to-Work program, including fulfillment of monthly order and completion of related billing.
• Adapt work hours to meet organizational needs and departmental priorities.
• Reconcile payroll and liability accounts to UKG.
• Monitor and reconcile HRA and FSA, recording year end adjustment.
• Maintain Pension statements and remit employer amounts to trustee including ATU contributions for union employees.
• Assists with internal compliance audits.
• Reconcile W2 information between quarterly tax returns and UKG system.
• Assist with preparation of payroll related annual schedules for National Transit Database.
• Analyze, reconcile, and compile transactions and financial data to prepare reports that support the Finance Department.
• Review preparation of government census forms.
• Other duties as assigned.

 

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA and public accounting experience preferred.
• At least four (4) years of experience working in accounting, payroll, or related field with a strong focus on process improvement.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Ability to perform a variety of routine duties involving the use of procedures and the application of clearly prescribed standard practice where the employee could make minor decisions and use some judgment.
• Ability to work from defined objectives and broad and varying policies, procedures, rules or precedents. Plans and arranges own work while the supervisor provides some functional guidance. Details of accomplishing the objective are left to the position.  Unusual situations are referred to supervision.
• Thorough knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
• Strong analytical skills; ability to compare, analyze, and reconcile data.
• Strong computer skills, including intermediate knowledge of MS Office Suite, Lawson Financial System, UKG, and website navigation.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently and within a team.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Strong time management and organizational skills, ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit while using hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee frequently is required to talk, hear, see, and use a computer. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The employee may occasionally be required to travel commercially.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA) is committed to equal opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship and/or immigration status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal or state law. RGRTA will make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified employees and applicants with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business.