Payroll Coordinator - Town of Vernon : Job Details

Position Type: Finance/Payroll Coordinator Date Posted: 7/17/2025 Location: Town Hall Town of Vernon Department: Finance Job Title: Payroll Coordinator Bargaining Unit: Non-Union Hourly Rate: $38.04 - $44.10 35 hrs/week - 4 day work week Monday-Thursday Monday 8:00-4:30, Tuesday 8:00 7:00, Wednesday 8:00-5:00, Thurs. 8:00-4:30 General Statement of Duties: Prepares and administers an automated payroll system for all municipal personnel; and performs accounting duties. Supervision Received: Reports to and receives oral or written instructions from the Principal Payroll Coordinator. Plans and organizes work according to federal, state, and municipal regulations and procedures. Performs work independently. Establishes priorities within working assignment. Prepares regular statistical and narrative reports for Finance Officer, or other departments, as necessary. Supervision Exercised: Provides instruction to departments in reporting and submission of payroll records. Essential Job Functions: Prepares and processes through completion employee payrolls in accordance with salary levels for employees. Receives and verifies accuracy of time sheets from departments. Performs calculating, posting and verifying duties to obtain financial data for payroll deductions, including withholding taxes, social security, retirement, pension, group insurance and other payments. Prepares and enters payroll information using an automated payroll system. Sets up direct deposits, and prints paychecks of employees when necessary. Prepares vouchers and authorizes timely payments of deductions for federal and state tax requirements, unions, and various carriers, utilizing computer generated checks, manual checks, automated clearing hours (ACH) or wire transmissions, as they apply. Maintains and updates employee payroll records. Reconciles bank statements related to payroll accounts. Prepares and enters monthly journal entries of payroll and benefits transactions for general ledger. Verifies payroll reports and takes appropriate action to ensure accuracy of the payroll accounting cycle. Performs accounts payable, accounts receivable and related accounting work as needed. Maintains records of employee pension contributions and organizes data for annual actuarial report, employee statements and summary reports as required. Maintains records of employee deferred compensation plan. Prepares salary schedules and maintains payroll records for workers' compensation process. Prepares statistical and narrative reports as requested by supervisor, to support financial statements, budget preparation, and related areas. Reports work accomplished to supervisor. Performs other related duties as assigned. Regular and punctual attendance. Other Job Functions: Prepares and processes through completion W-2, state, federal and related payroll reports and statements. Maintains payroll and leave records for employees. Prepares and maintains account ledgers as needed. Regularly updates payroll to reflect individual or group changes. Responds to inquiries from other town departments, state or federal officials, banks and other outside agencies. Executes wage garnishments and maintains file. Coordinates computer system updates with data processing department. Performs office functions as needed. May be called in to work at the Town's Emergency Operations Center (EOC); other duties as required. Physical Demands: 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 frequently required to sit, talk, hear, walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various office equipment. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Work Environment: The work characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be able to concentrate on fine detail with constant interruption, attend to task for 45-60 minutes at a time, remember multiple assignments given over long periods of time, and understand the theories behind several related concepts.The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSKnowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: Thorough knowledge of basic accounting, payroll and record keeping procedures. Ability to perform complex statistical computations. Ability to write effective narrative and statistical reports. Basic knowledge of data processing applications. Knowledge and ability to operate a complex automated payroll system. Ability to deal effectively with staff and the general public. Ability to train and instruct town personnel in payroll preparation and submission. Ability to keep current with government regulations concerning payroll operations. Experience and Education: The skills and knowledge generally required would be acquired with a high school education plus specialized training with 2-3 years of progressively responsible accounting or payroll experience, or, in lieu thereof, an Associate's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or some closely related field with 1-2 years of progressively responsible payroll experience or equivalent. Other Experience & Training: Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) through the American Payroll Association (APA) preferred. Knowledge and experience in MUNIS preferred. Must maintain and stay current with government regulations concerning payroll operations. Must pass criminal background check. This job description is not intended to be a complete statement of all duties, functions and responsibilities which comprise this position. EOE/AA Adopted: April, 1999; Updated: June 20, 2023; Adopted: June 20,2023