Payroll Manager

NOVA Parks is seeking a full-time Payroll Manager to join our Finance and Accounting Department. This position is responsible for the complete administration and processing of in-house payroll, ensuring timely and accurate compensation for full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees across multiple park locations.

About the role

The Payroll Manager performs all aspects of the bi-weekly payroll cycle using Microsoft Dynamics GP with data from UKG Timekeeping managed by HR. This role serves as NOVA Park’s payroll subject matter expert and works closely with Human Resources, Accounting, Accounts Payable, and external agencies to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations as well as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Governmental Accounting Standards Board requirements.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, analytical, customer-service oriented, and committed to maintaining confidentiality while providing exceptional payroll services to approximately 150 full-time employees and a large seasonal workforce.

Responsibilities

• Perform complete in-house bi-weekly payroll processing for full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees.
• Review payroll edit reports, exception reports, and audit listings to verify payroll accuracy prior to processing.
• Using UKG Timekeeping reports, validate and reconcile approved hours to payroll registers.
• Ensure all employee pay, leave balances, overtime, bonus pay, holiday pay, and other earnings are processed accurately.
• Process direct deposits, manual checks, create payroll run and post accounting entries for payroll adjustments, and payroll corrections.
• Process child support payments online and mail garnishments and levies each pay period.
• Balance payroll registers and reconcile payroll totals prior to posting payroll to the general ledger.
• Maintain payroll security and confidentiality in accordance with applicable laws and Authority policies.
• Prepare and post bi-weekly payroll journal entries to the general ledger, recording wages, employer-paid benefits, payroll taxes, employee withholdings, accrued liabilities, and related payroll transactions.
• Prepare month-end and fiscal year-end payroll accruals, including salaries, wages, payroll taxes, compensated absences, and related liabilities.
• Reconcile payroll subledger balances to the general ledger and create adjusting journal entries if needed.
• Perform monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll account reconciliations.
• Prepare external audit requests related to payroll.
• Prepare, reconcile, and file all required federal, state, and local payroll tax returns, including quarterly Forms 941, state unemployment tax reports (SUTA), Virginia Employment Commission filings, and monthly state withholding returns.
• Monitor payroll tax law changes and implement required system or procedural updates.
• Coordinate payroll tax payments with Accounts Payable and ensure timely remittance.
• Prepare annual payroll reconciliations, generate and distribute Forms W-2, and file Forms W-3, VA-6, VEC-20, and other required year-end payroll reports.
• Coordinate payroll year-end balancing and reconciliation with general ledger balances.
• Maintain payroll tables, deduction codes, earnings codes, tax rates, and payroll configuration within Microsoft Dynamics GP.
• Set up new pay, benefit, deduction codes, and taxability in GP.
• Coordinate the payroll interfaces with HR between UKG Timekeeping and Microsoft Dynamics GP.
• Test payroll system updates, patches, and enhancements.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processing efficiency through technology and process improvements.
• Assist in implementation of payroll-related system enhancements and software upgrades.
• Forward correspondence to HR to respond to employee payroll questions regarding pay, deductions, taxes, direct deposit, and leave balances.
• Work collaboratively with Human Resources regarding employee status changes, benefit deductions, and payroll setup.
• Maintain professional and courteous relationships with employees, government agencies, auditors, and external vendors.
• Assist with annual external financial audit and payroll compliance audits.
• Maintain payroll procedures and internal control documentation.
• Recommend process improvements to strengthen internal controls and increase efficiency.
• Maintain compliance with federal and state wage and hour regulations.
• Participate in special accounting and payroll projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or closely related field.
• Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible payroll experience, including complete payroll processing.
• Experience processing similar size employee payrolls using an integrated payroll and accounting system.
• Strong knowledge of payroll accounting principles and payroll tax compliance.
• Experience preparing federal and state payroll tax filings.
• Demonstrated experience preparing payroll journal entries and account reconciliations.
• Working knowledge of enterprise-resource planning (ERP) systems, such as Dynamics 365, Microsoft Dynamics GP, NetSuite, Sage, Oracle, OpenGov, or Tyler.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Knowledge of Virginia payroll regulations.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Regular and predictable attendance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation.
• Governmental accounting or public sector payroll experience.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics GP Payroll.
• Experience using UKG Timekeeping and Payroll.
• Experience working with large seasonal or hourly workforces.

Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of payroll accounting, journal entries, and payroll tax regulations.
• Ability to interpret payroll laws and regulations.
• Strong attention to detail with exceptional accuracy.
• Ability to analyze payroll discrepancies and resolve issues independently.
• Strong reconciliation and balancing skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication skills to effectively communicate with employees at all organizational levels and external stakeholders.
• Thorough understanding of payroll internal controls and compliance requirements.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications.
• Proven experience to learn and utilize enterprise financial systems and reporting tools.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment while maintaining confidentiality of sensitive payroll information.

Benefits

This position is benefits eligible. Benefits include medical and dental insurance, life insurance, long-term disability, and retirement plan.

Pay

Hiring salary range: $90,000 - $100,000.