Payroll Processing Accountant

Monday - Friday; 7:30am - 4:30pm

To learn more about the pay band for this branch and role, please see the Career Banding rates spreadsheet.

This position is not eligible for H-1B sponsorship.

Every pay period, thousands of employees across UNC-Chapel Hill rely on Payroll Services to ensure they are paid accurately and on time. Behind that success is a team of dedicated professionals who combine analytical thinking, collaboration, and exceptional service to support the University's mission. If you're looking for an opportunity to apply your accounting and problem-solving skills, build meaningful partnerships across campus, and grow your expertise in a complex and dynamic environment, we'd love to meet you. The ideal candidate will have the opportunity to build a career in payroll starting in this position and learn from some of the field's top professionals.

We're seeking a Payroll Processing Accountant to join our collaborative and supportive Payroll Services team. In this role, you'll play an important part in payroll processing, reconciliations, compliance, reporting, and customer support while partnering with colleagues across Payroll, Human Resources, Finance, and departments throughout the University. Beyond contributing to the accuracy and integrity of payroll operations, you'll have opportunities to broaden your payroll expertise, deepen your understanding of University systems and policies, and grow professionally through meaningful work and cross-functional collaboration. You'll gain valuable exposure to a wide range of payroll functions while building relationships and expanding your knowledge across multiple areas of the University.

This opportunity is ideal for someone who enjoys working with data, values accuracy, and takes pride in delivering outstanding service. As a member of a highly collaborative team, you'll have the chance to develop expertise in payroll operations, compliance, reconciliation, reporting, and process improvement while supporting one of the nation's leading public universities. Team members are encouraged to share ideas, contribute to process enhancements, expand their skills, and take on increasingly complex responsibilities as they grow in the role. Whether you're looking to strengthen your analytical capabilities, broaden your payroll knowledge, or increase your impact through innovative solutions and exceptional service, you'll find a supportive team committed to knowledge sharing, professional development, and helping one another succeed. We welcome candidates who are eager to learn, collaborate, and grow alongside a team dedicated to excellence in service to the Carolina community.

Payroll Services processes and issues salary and wage payments to all University employees, processes and remits deductions for federal, state, and local taxes, retirement, and other withholdings, and processes and remits University payments for employee benefits. Payroll Services also reviews and processes personnel actions for pay rolling purposes; reviews and processes TIM (Kronos) transactions for leave and payment, and performs data control and reconciliation functions for earning, taxes, deductions and benefits. Payroll Services maintains personnel funding records and processes payroll expense distribution along with the reconciliations between the Human Resource and Finance Modules for posting to the General Ledger. Payroll Services monitors payroll compliance, including non-resident alien payroll, and submits reports required for federal, state, and other purposes. Payroll Services serves as the functional lead for Payroll and Commitment Accounting modules within PeopleSoft.

This position is responsible for supporting and performing complex payroll functions associated with University payroll operations, including monthly and biweekly payrolls as well as the UNC System Office payroll. The position performs payroll processing activities through PeopleSoft; audits payroll transactions, records, and documentation for accuracy and compliance; researches and resolves discrepancies; assists with year-end processing; and supports W-2 and 1042-S reporting activities. The incumbent ensures payroll data integrity while adhering to federal and state regulations, University policies, and established internal controls.

This position serves as a critical subject matter expert within Payroll Services and plays an essential role in business continuity, operational resiliency, and succession planning for the department. The incumbent maintains specialized knowledge of payroll processing, systems, reconciliations, reporting requirements, and compliance obligations necessary to support uninterrupted payroll operations. This role provides cross-functional support for key payroll functions and serves as backup coverage for critical payroll responsibilities during staff absences, vacancies, peak processing periods, and organizational transitions. Through knowledge sharing, cross-training, and operational support, the position helps preserve institutional knowledge and mitigate operational risk.

Additional responsibilities include supporting payroll system enhancements, testing payroll calculations and processing scenarios, assisting with special projects, and performing assigned PeopleSoft-related activities. The position must be adaptable, detail-oriented, and capable of working independently in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment while ensuring the accurate and timely processing of payroll activities across multiple payroll cycles. The incumbent will also absorb and perform duties normally assigned to senior payroll staff, including the EHRA Lead Accountant, when necessary to ensure continuity of operations and consistent service delivery.

Bachelor's degree with 12 credit hours of accounting coursework; or Associate's degree in accounting; or Associate's degree in business or related discipline with 12 credit hours of accounting coursework; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Payroll processing experience in a complex organization with multiple payroll cycles, including monthly and biweekly payrolls.
Knowledge of established state government and University regulations and procedures, as well as UNC-Chapel Hill policies and practices.
Experience working closely with campus departments and business partners to provide guidance on payroll operations and compliance matters is highly desirable.
Experience handling sensitive financial and personnel data is preferred.
Demonstrated ability to effectively manage complex payroll responsibilities in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment.

Not Applicable.

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (919) 843-2300 or send an email to employment@unc.edu

Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.