Accounting and Payroll Specialist

Under the supervision of the Assistant Finance Officer/Deputy Treasurer, performs accounting work in the functional areas of accounts payable, payroll and coordinates financial recordkeeping; serves as liaison to insurance carriers for employee benefits programs; creates purchase orders; performs other related accounting and administrative duties.

Plans and organizes work according to established or standard office procedures; maintains financial records, including accounts payable, payroll data, and department accounts. Reviews purchase orders, invoices, and related information for proper account coding, mathematical accuracy, vendor designation, correct prices and discounts, authorized signatures and other pertinent information. Prepares payment checks, reviews checks for accuracy, and processes payments; assures adequacy of funds in specific accounts; maintains vendor information.

Processes monthly account summaries for each department; provides budget assistance and information to departments as needed. Prepares and enters information, including annual budget information, by computer terminal into automated accounting system; compares computer prepared data against source documents for accuracy.

Assists supervisor in reconciliation of bank accounts for Town and Board of Education payroll. Performs and completes special projects as assigned by the Assistant Finance Officer/Deputy Treasurer. Town of Ellington 201 Position Description Accounting/Payroll Specialist Page 2 Receives payroll information from departments; checks and verifies hourly rates, overtime payments, pension and/or deferred compensation deductions, and Workers’ Compensations benefits.

Maintains vacation and sick time schedules for employees; records payroll deductions; prepares payroll information for entry into automated system; reviews and reconciles payroll printout and processes paychecks; summarizes payroll information for monthly reports and for budget preparation. Prepares and submits all state and federal payroll reports, enrolls new employees in insurance programs; answers employee insurance and/or benefit questions. Assists with the coordination of recordkeeping information for special accounts as assigned, including trust funds, intergovernmental grants, and WPCA enterprise and sewer projects; maintains fixed assets information.

Assists Affordable Care Act Coordinator with regulations and recordkeeping mandates. Assists the Safety and Health Committee Chair with meeting preparations and special projects. Provides information and assistance to other Town departments and the general public. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of accounting and payroll principles, methods and practices, including working knowledge of basic accounting principles, procedures and terminology, standard office methods and procedures, and the use of automated equipment and related software for accounting and budgeting systems. Ability to maintain payroll, accounts payable and accounts receivable records and to prepare financial reports. Ability to apply principles of accounting to deal with a variety of variables. Ability to efficiently operate a computer, utilizing accounting and payroll software applications. Ability to quickly and accurately make varied arithmetical computations and enter automated data, and process paperwork according to standardized procedures. Town of Ellington 201 Position Description Accounting/Payroll Specialist Page 3 Ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to type accurately. Ability to train Finance Office Administrative Assistant in accounts payable, financial recordkeeping and other office administrative work. Ability to tactfully and courteously deal and maintain satisfactory working relationships with others.

Hourly wage range:  $31.55 to $35.05 (Town Hall Union Position)