The Payroll Specialist is responsible for maintaining payroll systems and processing employee paychecks in a timely and accurate manner, while ensuring complete confidentiality and providing excellent customer service. The Payroll Specialist processes biweekly and monthly payrolls, produces off cycle checks, voided checks and bank returns, reviews timesheets, hours and pay data for accuracy, determines and reconciles payroll discrepancies, performs data entry for all payroll transactions and deductions, manages and processes employee garnishments, assists with year-end processes, handles direct deposit data and requests, maintains proper payroll records and employee personnel files, writes queries and runs reports to distribute payroll data to University departments and respond to employee payroll inquiries. The Payroll Specialist offers training and guidance to employees on use of timekeeping system and other payroll self-service functions, and engages in continuing education to stay informed of federal and state regulations and ensure payroll compliance.

Duties

• Processes biweekly and monthly payrolls 
• Produces off cycle checks, voided checks and bank returns 
• Reviews timesheets, hours and pay data for accuracy 
• Determines and reconciles payroll discrepancies 
• Performs data entry for all payroll transactions and deductions 
• Manages and processes employee garnishments 
• Assists with year-end processes 
• Handles direct deposit data and requests
• Maintains proper payroll records and employee personnel files 
• Writes queries and runs reports to distribute payroll data to University departments and respond to employee payroll inquiries 
• Supports the Payroll team as needed and helps test systems for upgrades 
• Offers training and guidance to employees on the use of our timekeeping system and other payroll self-service functions 
• Engages in continuing education to stay informed of federal and state regulations and ensure payroll compliance
• Perform other duties as assigned. 
• Uphold University mission through work performed. 

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Skills and Qualifications

Required:

• A high school diploma and two years of college courses with an accounting, finance or business background
• Two years of automated payroll experience
• Knowledge of payroll industry software tools
• Understanding of payroll processing including year-end, terminations and retroactive pay, payroll tax and labor laws
• Good analytical, organizational and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency in Windows, Excel and Word
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Preferred:

• A bachelor’s degree
• Advanced technical payroll training Experience using PeopleSoft or other Oracle ERP system
• Experience with Kronos or ADP Workforce Manager

This is a Regular, Nonexempt, 40 hour per week position.

Expected Pay Range: $27.88 - $30.76 per hour 

The above pay range reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this position at time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant factors such as work experience, market conditions, education/training, and skill level. In addition to base pay, Pepperdine offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package.

Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Pepperdine is committed to providing a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment. Engaging in unlawful discrimination or harassment will result in appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the University.

Pepperdine is religiously affiliated with the Churches of Christ. It is the purpose of Pepperdine to pursue the very highest employment and academic standards within a context that celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith. While students, faculty, and staff represent many religious backgrounds, Pepperdine is permitted under applicable law and reserves the right to seek, hire, and promote persons who support the goals and mission of the institution, including the right to prefer co-religionists who support Pepperdine's Christian mission.

Qualified individuals should be able to show respect for workplace differences, and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening. The University conducts such screenings in compliance with applicable laws and with the objectives of evaluating risk and supporting a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests; safeguarding key University assets including people, property, information, and the University’s reputation; and providing comprehensive job-related information to University leaders to enable them to make prudent hiring decisions. Individuals will be required to disclose any criminal convictions on a designated form after receiving a conditional offer of employment; failure to disclose accurate information may result in withdrawal of the offer or termination of employment. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.