Senior Payroll Accountant
Apply NowCompany: City of Alexandria, VA
Location: Alexandria, VA 22304
Description:
Salary : $62,719.28 - $110,373.64 Annually
Location : Alexandria, VA
Job Type: Full-Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2025-00291
Department: Finance Department
Division: PENSION DIVISION
Opening Date: 03/03/2025
Closing Date: 3/17/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit: N/A
Senior Payroll Accountant
The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. About one-quarter of the City's square miles have been designated as a national or local historic district. We proudly embrace our rich history and seize the endless opportunities that lie ahead. The City processes approximately 2,800 bi-weekly pay checks and is one of the first jurisdictions in Virginia to authorize collective bargaining for eligible employees. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for the Senior Payroll Accountant position.
An Overview
The Senior Payroll Accountant performs professional accounting and/or payroll duties; to include, but not limited to analyzing and updating various financial reports. The incumbent performs a wide variety of duties requiring researching and providing financial data on request. This position serves as the assistant Payroll Manager and is capable of performing all duties relating to processing of the City's bi-weekly payroll. This position reports to the Payroll Manager and works closely with the Kronos Manager and members of the Pension and Payroll Division to ensure that all employees are paid in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
What You Should Bring
The ideal candidate has considerable experience in the field of public or governmental accounting and payroll processing and has the ability to prioritize work to successfully meet deadlines in a face-paced, critical environment. Additional skills and abilities include:
The Opportunity - Examples of Work
About The Department
The City of Alexandria's Finance Department is a fast-paced, diverse, and customer service focused operation that is responsible for: the assessment, collection, and enforcement of all City taxes, the management of cash flow and investments, accounting for and reporting the City's financial position, processing payroll, executing a fair and competitive procurement environment, assessing all real and personal property in the City, managing the City's risk and safety programs, and managing the City's pension plans. The Finance Department has seven divisions and in fiscal year 2025 is operating with a total budget of $15.7 million and 110 FTE positions.
The goal of the Finance Department is to treat all employees, citizens, and business owners professionally, with fairness and compassion.
Minimum & Additional Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or closely related field from an accredited college or university and two years of applicable experience; or an equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Preferred Qualifications
Possession of the Certified Payroll Professional Certificate (CPP). Knowledge of the Munis Financial and Kronos Timekeeping systems.
Notes
This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks including but not limited to a criminal background check. The selection process for this position may include a phone or virtual interview, and in-person interview.
The starting salary range for this position is $62,719.28 to $87,924.20 (midpoint of the grade), based on qualifications and experience. The incumbent can eventually be awarded up to $110,373.64 (Step 20) with tenure and job performance.
We are proud to welcome you to explore the City of Alexandria's excellent benefits and programs!
The benefits referenced on this site, may be changed from time to time without notice. Also, temporary and some part-time positions are not eligible for these benefits. For further information, please contact the Benefits Division of the Department of Human Resources at 703.746.3785 or email
01
Do you have experience using a payroll/accounting operating system software such as ADP, Kronos, Deltek or Ceridian to process data information needed for payroll, human resources, and accounting within a large organization?
02
If you answered "yes", please describe your experience using a payroll/accounting operating system.
03
Do you have experience processing or reconciling financial records or statements, typically using a record comparison method of analysis?
04
If you answered "yes", please describe your experience processing or reconciling financial records or statements.
05
Do have knowledge or experience in year-end processes, including the preparation, auditing, and distribution of W-2's?
06
If you have answered "yes", please describe your experience with year-end processes.
07
Do you have experience processing or auditing payroll in-house?
08
If "yes", please describe your knowledge and years of experience.
Required Question
Location : Alexandria, VA
Job Type: Full-Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2025-00291
Department: Finance Department
Division: PENSION DIVISION
Opening Date: 03/03/2025
Closing Date: 3/17/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit: N/A
Senior Payroll Accountant
The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. About one-quarter of the City's square miles have been designated as a national or local historic district. We proudly embrace our rich history and seize the endless opportunities that lie ahead. The City processes approximately 2,800 bi-weekly pay checks and is one of the first jurisdictions in Virginia to authorize collective bargaining for eligible employees. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for the Senior Payroll Accountant position.
An Overview
The Senior Payroll Accountant performs professional accounting and/or payroll duties; to include, but not limited to analyzing and updating various financial reports. The incumbent performs a wide variety of duties requiring researching and providing financial data on request. This position serves as the assistant Payroll Manager and is capable of performing all duties relating to processing of the City's bi-weekly payroll. This position reports to the Payroll Manager and works closely with the Kronos Manager and members of the Pension and Payroll Division to ensure that all employees are paid in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
What You Should Bring
The ideal candidate has considerable experience in the field of public or governmental accounting and payroll processing and has the ability to prioritize work to successfully meet deadlines in a face-paced, critical environment. Additional skills and abilities include:
- Significant experience preparing bi-weekly payroll transactions; to include auditing, adjusting and reconciling payroll data.
- Knowledge and experience of preparation and transmission of bi-weekly, monthly and quarterly taxes.
- Cooperative and team-oriented attitude with willingness to contribute and learn what is needed.
- Thorough knowledge of accounting theory, principles, and practices and their application to a wide variety of transactions regarding financial matters.
- Works confidentially and with discretion.
- Experience processing payroll in-house, payroll accounting, and tax reconciliation.
The Opportunity - Examples of Work
- Works with a team to ensures that all employees are paid in compliance with Federal Labor Standard Act (FLSA), Internal Revenue Service regulations, State Wage and Hour Laws, Collective Bargaining Agreements and City Administrative Regulations;
- Process payroll deductions, City contributions, refunds, leave corrections, and other adjustments to payroll records;
- Develops, maintains, and improves the processes to perform all payroll and benefits functions;
- Investigates and coordinates problems of a complex nature and designs corrective procedures to include interfaces to and from the payroll system to Munis (ERP & Accounting System), Kronos (Timekeeping System), and benefit vendors;
- Assists with monthly, quarterly, and year-end activities including wage reconciliation, FICA, FUTA, SUTA, state and federal tax withholdings and W-2 production;
- Explains procedures and provides back up information to external auditors during their annual audit;
- Processes biweekly court-ordered wage attachments (child support orders, IRS levies, local government liens, bankruptcies, creditor garnishments and student loans);
- Research, evaluate and process employee pay adjustments, including retroactive pay adjustments, overpayments, underpayments, payment of leave at termination, etc.;
- Coordinates with the Human Resources and other Payroll and Pension staff to integrate employee payroll and benefit data to ensure best overall organizational practices for benefit issues, accuracy and compliance.
- Provides primary customer service to all City departments and agencies for payroll processing issues and inquiries.
About The Department
The City of Alexandria's Finance Department is a fast-paced, diverse, and customer service focused operation that is responsible for: the assessment, collection, and enforcement of all City taxes, the management of cash flow and investments, accounting for and reporting the City's financial position, processing payroll, executing a fair and competitive procurement environment, assessing all real and personal property in the City, managing the City's risk and safety programs, and managing the City's pension plans. The Finance Department has seven divisions and in fiscal year 2025 is operating with a total budget of $15.7 million and 110 FTE positions.
The goal of the Finance Department is to treat all employees, citizens, and business owners professionally, with fairness and compassion.
Minimum & Additional Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or closely related field from an accredited college or university and two years of applicable experience; or an equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Preferred Qualifications
Possession of the Certified Payroll Professional Certificate (CPP). Knowledge of the Munis Financial and Kronos Timekeeping systems.
Notes
This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks including but not limited to a criminal background check. The selection process for this position may include a phone or virtual interview, and in-person interview.
The starting salary range for this position is $62,719.28 to $87,924.20 (midpoint of the grade), based on qualifications and experience. The incumbent can eventually be awarded up to $110,373.64 (Step 20) with tenure and job performance.
We are proud to welcome you to explore the City of Alexandria's excellent benefits and programs!
The benefits referenced on this site, may be changed from time to time without notice. Also, temporary and some part-time positions are not eligible for these benefits. For further information, please contact the Benefits Division of the Department of Human Resources at 703.746.3785 or email
01
Do you have experience using a payroll/accounting operating system software such as ADP, Kronos, Deltek or Ceridian to process data information needed for payroll, human resources, and accounting within a large organization?
- Yes
- No
02
If you answered "yes", please describe your experience using a payroll/accounting operating system.
03
Do you have experience processing or reconciling financial records or statements, typically using a record comparison method of analysis?
- Yes
- No
04
If you answered "yes", please describe your experience processing or reconciling financial records or statements.
05
Do have knowledge or experience in year-end processes, including the preparation, auditing, and distribution of W-2's?
- Yes
- No
06
If you have answered "yes", please describe your experience with year-end processes.
07
Do you have experience processing or auditing payroll in-house?
- Yes
- No
08
If "yes", please describe your knowledge and years of experience.
Required Question