- Company Name
- Minnesota Department of Corrections
- Job Title
- Staff Payroll Manager (Accounting Manager)
- Job Description
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**Job Title:** Staff Payroll Manager (Accounting Manager)
**Role Summary:**
Directs and manages all staff payroll and payroll‑accounting functions for the agency, ensuring accurate and timely pay, robust internal controls, and compliance with governmental accounting standards. Leads the payroll unit, implements financial policies, and provides decision support for budgeting and fiscal planning.
**Expectations:**
- Deliver paid payrolls on schedule and resolve exceptions promptly.
- Maintain accurate payroll cost and liability records; ensure audit readiness.
- Provide actionable payroll cost forecasts and fiscal impact analysis for leadership.
- Continuously improve payroll systems, processes, and policies to meet state and agency standards.
- Exercise effective leadership and supervision of the payroll team.
**Key Responsibilities:**
1. Oversee end‑to‑end payroll processing, compliance, and service delivery.
2. Manage payroll accounting, reconciliations, and internal controls to safeguard payroll expenditures and liabilities.
3. Lead financial planning, forecasting, and decision support related to payroll costs.
4. Develop and implement payroll financial policies, procedures, and system/process improvements.
5. Provide managerial leadership and supervision to the payroll unit to achieve agency objectives.
6. Resolve payroll exceptions, address stakeholder inquiries, and coordinate with external auditors.
**Required Skills:**
- 4+ years of accounting experience managing payroll operations (or equivalent educational substitution).
- Leadership experience as supervisor, team lead, or project lead (e.g., completed a state leadership program or equivalent).
- Proficiency with payroll systems (Workday, PeopleSoft, ADP), Microsoft Excel, and database tools (Oracle SQL Developer, Microsoft Access).
- Strong knowledge of governmental accounting principles and auditing concepts.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills for policy drafting, executive briefings, and stakeholder negotiations.
- High attention to detail, accuracy in financial reporting, and ability to manage multiple payroll deadlines.
- Analytical ability to review fiscal records, detect trends, identify issues, and implement durable solutions.
**Required Education & Certifications:**
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- Master’s degree may substitute for 18 months of experience; Associate’s degree may substitute for six months.
- Completion of a recognized leadership development program (e.g., Emerging Leaders Institute or Senior Leadership Institute) is preferred.
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