Payroll and Accounting Specialist | Champaign Park District

Summary 

The Payroll and Accounting Specialist is responsible for ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll and benefits processing as well as providing general accounting support for the Champaign Park District. This position manages the biweekly payroll operations, processes journal entries, performs reconciliations, and prepares essential financial reports. This position requires a highly motivated, detail-oriented individual who enjoys analyzing financial data and working collaboratively with internal and external customers. 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, or a related field OR six (6) years of related professional experience. 
• Minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in payroll administration OR accounting. 
• Certified payroll professional or other related payroll certifications is preferred. 
• Experience with financial software and/or HR software.  
• Advanced experience with Microsoft Excel.  
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.  
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. 
• Experience in governmental and not-for-profit entities is preferred.  
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record. 

Essential Functions 

• Follow all Champaign Park District safety policies and perform all work in a manner that ensures the safety of oneself, the public, fellow employees. 
• Demonstrate a high level of professionalism and discretion in all interactions, including maintaining strict confidentiality regarding staff information, communications from supervisors, and conversations with parents or patrons. Uphold the Park District’s policies and standards for data privacy and confidentiality at all times.  
• Process biweekly payroll and associated journal entries, ensuring accurate financial reporting and compliance with all regulatory agencies. Process payroll checks reissues when necessary. 
• Remitting payroll benefit payments on a bi-weekly and monthly basis, covering union dues, various insurance and employee benefits, pension (IMRF) benefits, and other required distributions as well as all mandatory reporting. 
• Ensure compliance with federal and state payroll regulations, including tax withholdings, garnishments, required reporting, and benefits administration, while maintaining current knowledge of labor laws and public sector payroll practices.  
• Reporting 1099 contractual employee information to the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), in compliance with State Statute. 
• Maintain aspects of the payroll system, including managing the general ledger report mapping, updating pay codes, coordinating benefit changes with HR and the payroll software company, and resolving technical software issues. 
• Analyze and resolve payroll discrepancies and related issues in a timely manner. 
• Must maintain accurate and organized payroll records and meet all payroll processing deadlines. 
• Accurately interpret and apply Champaign Park District's payroll policies and procedures. 
• Develop, document, and identify updates/improvements to standard operating procedures for payroll and related financial functions. 
• Required to maintain a high level of accuracy in all payroll transactions and records. 
• Perform assigned payroll tasks with minimal supervision and proactively address potential issues. 
• Assist with the annual budget preparation process by developing salary and benefit projections, and providing additional budget review support as needed. 
• Execute periodic account reconciliations, journal entries, records maintenance, bank transfers, and system entries to ensure accurate financial records. 
• Prepare and process monthly reports for sales tax, food and beverage tax, and other assigned responsibilities. 
• Reconcile Champaign Park District and Foundation bank and investment accounts monthly, addressing any variances with corrective actions. 
• Assist in the preparation of financial reports for monthly Board of Commissioners meetings, contributing to transparent financial communication. 
• Maintain the general ledger, handle deposits, and generate reports ensuring financial accuracy. 
• Assists external auditors during annual audits, providing requested reports and analyses. 
• Support the administration of benefits programs by reconciling benefit deductions. 
• Reconciles, prepares, and processes tax forms W-2’s for all employees, as well as W-2 corrections as needed.  
• Maintain confidentiality on sensitive personal and payroll-related information. 
• Provide professional and customer-oriented support to internal and external customers 
• Adhere to all Champaign Park District safety policies and perform all work in a manner ensuring public, employee, and personal safety. 
• Manage CCRS program records, ensuring accuracy in attendance tracking, billing, and payment processing. 
• Administer the Scholarship program, encompassing application review, eligibility verification, and record maintenance. 
• Crosstrain on various tasks with other Finance staff. 
• Comply with equal opportunity and harassment laws, policies and procedures.  
• Other duties as assigned.