Payroll Manager (Accounting Manager)
Job Summary
The King County Housing Authority is seeking a Payroll Manager (Accounting Manager) to oversee and manage payroll operations. This position ensures the accurate and timely processing of payroll for a diverse workforce, including wages, deductions, and benefits, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
About the Role
King County Housing Authority (KCHA) is the largest provider of affordable housing in the Pacific Northwest and a nationally recognized leader in affordable housing. To learn more about KCHA and our Mission visit this link.
Essential Functions
Payroll Operations & Administration - Oversee and manage the end-to-end payroll process for all Authority employees. Ensure accurate and timely processing of wages, overtime, retro pay, and adjustments. Review and approve payroll transactions, registers, and reports. Maintain payroll systems and ensure proper setup for employee data, pay codes, and deductions. Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies, overpayments, or employee inquiries.
Program Compliance & Regulatory Oversight - Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, including FLSA, IRS regulations, and garnishment. Administer payroll-related reporting, including W-2s, W-3, and quarterly reports including Form 941. Maintain adherence to HUD regulations, public-sector requirements, and internal policies. Support payroll functions tied to grant-funded programs and cost allocations. Ensure proper tracking of labor costs across housing programs (e.g., public housing, Section 8).
Accounting, Reconciliation & Auditing - Coordinate payroll activities with Finance to ensure accurate general ledger postings and reconciliations. Prepare and review payroll reconciliations, accruals, and audit schedules. Implement and monitor internal controls to safeguard payroll accuracy and prevent errors or fraud. Assist with annual audits and respond to auditor inquiries.
Benefits & Deductions - Oversee payroll-related deductions including health benefits, retirement (e.g., PERS), deferred compensation, and union dues. Ensure proper calculation and remittance of employer and employee contributions. Coordinate with HR on employee status changes and benefits enrollment.
Compensation Administration - Administer payroll guidelines of collective bargaining agreements and non-represented compensation programs. Process COLAs and other pay adjustments for union and non-represented employees; calculate and process retroactive pay adjustments and benefits deductions and payments. Implement payroll system updates related to negotiated wage, benefit, and deduction changes.
Reporting, Analysis & Strategic Support - Generate and analyze payroll reports for management, budgeting, and compliance purposes. Support labor cost analysis and workforce planning. Prepare reports for leadership, board presentations, HUD submissions, and other stakeholders.
Systems & Process Improvement - Maintain and optimize payroll systems. Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and automation in payroll processes. Participate in system upgrades, testing, and implementations.
Leadership & Oversight - Supervise payroll staff, including assigning work, training, and performance management. Develop, document, and enforce standard operating procedures for payroll processes and internal controls. Provide guidance and support on complex payroll issues.
Qualifications and Competencies
Required Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in accounting, economics, finance, or closely related field AND extensive experience in governmental accounting operations, management or work including supervisory experience OR an equivalent combination of experience and education that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Certified Payroll Profession (CPP) desired.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Understands technical aspects of the position and continuously builds knowledge, keeping up to date on the substantive and procedural aspects of the position including: Policies, procedures and practices of public and/or business administration; payroll laws and regulations (e.g., FLSA, IRS requirements, garnishments, wage and hour laws); Accounting principles related to payroll, including general ledger posting, accruals, and reconciliations; and internal controls and audit procedures to ensure payroll accuracy, compliance, and fraud prevention; Payroll and HRIS systems such as Dayforce, ADP, and/or Workday; Benefits and retirement systems, such as PERS, deferred compensation plans, and health benefit deductions; and collective bargaining agreements. Experience supervising staff including coaching and mentoring to support employees in achieving Authority and individual goals; demonstrated ability to provide strong leadership in a dynamic, highly regulated work environment. Proven success in building productive and engaged work teams with a focus on mentoring and nurturing staff development. Clearly and effectively communicates both verbally and in writing by actively listening and sharing relevant information. Ability to compose and prepare correspondence; demonstrates strong proofreading and editing skills; Ability to understand, interpret and explain difficult materials with complicated information that may contain excerpts from regulatory and/or legal documents to all levels of the organization. Effective interpersonal relations skills with the ability to work collaboratively to garner trust, respect, and confidence from others; can be relied upon to achieve excellent results; ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment. A collaborative team member with well-developed organizational and time management skills; ability to develop effective working relationships; works cooperatively, exchanges ideas, and addresses issues in a constructive manner. Skilled in effective self-management practices and ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments as to prioritizing and time allocation. Values open-mindedness, inclusion, and diverse perspectives, recognizing multiple ways of knowing, thinking, and being; fosters a work environment that embraces and appreciates diversity, treats others with respect, and promotes cooperation. Strong critical-thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to evaluate information, to make timely and nuanced decisions, and to apply business and operational priorities in weighing outcomes. Proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, SharePoint) as well as the ability to master new database software quickly and easily; ability to utilize automated accounting systems.
Position Information and Application Process
To Be Considered For This Opportunity Complete the online application profile in its entirety. Upload a cover letter that addresses how your experience and education qualify you to perform the essential functions listed in the job announcement. (Cover Letter) Upload a detailed résumé of all educational and professional experiences. (Résumé) Salary & Benefits Salary range is $120,699.00 to $168,978.43 with a midpoint of $144,838.65. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint; however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market. Salary is negotiable. Performance based merit increase opportunities and Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) are reviewed on an annual basis. A comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance, life and long-term disability insurance plans, vacation, sick and personal leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits are also available. For more details regarding KCHA comprehensive benefits, please visit our benefits page.
Work Environment
After initial onboarding, this role will have the opportunity to work remotely in accordance with the KCHA's flexible work arrangements; however, remote work conditions will be reviewed on a regular basis based on business and program need. Employees must reside in Washington State and having the ability to report to the Central Office in Tukwila will be required. Some local travel may be required to support KCHA business needs.
Physical Requirements
Incumbent(s) must be able to meet the physical requirements of the classification and have mobility, balance, coordination, vision, hearing and dexterity levels appropriate to the functions performed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals With Disabilities To Perform The Essential Functions.
Equal Opportunity
King County Housing Authority is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.