Payroll Analyst (General)

City Colleges of Chicago’s vision is to be recognized as the city’s most accessible higher education engine of socioeconomic mobility and racial equity – empowering all Chicagoans to take part in building a stronger and more just city.  The community college system’s more than 3,500 faculty and staff serve more than 60,000 students annually at seven colleges and five satellite sites.

Payroll Services facilitates the timely and accurate processing of timekeeping, direct deposit authorizations, employment tax forms, as well as various internal and external payroll deductions. The department is responsible for tax compliance, the filing of federal and state returns and payments. Payroll Services staff use PeopleSoft HCM (HR) to process, calculate, and produce employee paychecks for full-time and part-time employees.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Reporting to the Director-Payroll the Payroll Analyst - General ensures the accurate and timely processing of payroll for all employees, performing payroll functions to include data reconciliation, detailed statistical reporting, and comprehensive analysis of retiree benefit programs.  The Payroll Analyst - General also ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while adhering to internal policies and collective bargaining agreements.  Performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Payroll Administration

·       Audits and verifies special assignment hours to ensure accuracy and compliance with institutional policies.

·       Reconciles discrepancies between Certificate of Attendance (COA) forms, payroll records, and WORKFORCE/Time & Labor systems.

·       Processes payroll adjustments, ensuring all entries align with established payroll schedule

Compliance & Reporting

·       Ensures compliance with internal policies, collective bargaining agreements, and federal/state regulations governing payroll practices.

·       Prepares comprehensive reports for internal audits, management reviews, and union negotiations.

·       Monitors and implements changes to payroll laws or institutional policies impacting payroll operations.

Collaboration & Communication

·       Partners with HR, department heads, and timekeepers to address payroll discrepancies and maintain data integrity.

·       Provides training to campus payroll personnel and new analysts.

·       Communicates effectively with employees and management to resolve payroll-related inquiries.

Data Reconciliation & Analysis

·       Reconciles payroll data across WorkForce, Time & Labor, and other systems to maintain accuracy.

·       Assists in developing performance metrics, customer satisfaction surveys, and improvement initiatives for the HR Payroll team.

Documentation & Training

·       Documents business processes, draft procedural guides, and create training materials.

·       Keeps up to date with rule changes and best practices in payroll administration.

Additional Duties

·       Assists in managing HR accounts payable functions, including requisitions and purchase orders.

·       Performs general payroll audits, mathematical computations, and system data entry as needed.

·       Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Payroll.

·       Adheres to CCC’s Customer Service Excellence standards.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports To                       Director-Payroll

Direct Supervision          No supervision

QUALIFICATIONS

·       Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university required, preferably in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field

·       Payroll certification (e.g., CPP or FPC) preferred

·       At least three  years of experience in payroll, accounting, or auditing required, preferably within a higher education or public sector environment

·       An equivalent combination of education and experience may be taken into consideration

·       Experience and familiarity with payroll software and systems (e.g. PeopleSoft (Oracle) Human Capital Management System, WorkForce, or similar) is highly preferred

·       Excellent attention to detail, with the ability to manage large volumes of data with accuracy and efficiency

·       Strong  verbal and written communication skills

·       Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

·       Excellent customer service and problem-solving skills

·       Ability and willingness to work occasional extended hours during peak payroll periods or special payroll projects

·       Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive payroll data in compliance with privacy standards and legal requirements

·       Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team

·       Ability to interact effectively with employees, organizational leadership, and external parties as needed

·       Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)

WE OFFER: Excellent health and welfare benefit package and long-term savings and investment programs including 403(b) & 457(b) Investment Plans and a pension plan with the State University Retirement System (SURS) Plan. Generous vacation, holiday, personal and sick days, and tuition reimbursement. For a more detailed overview of benefits, please visit the benefits page of our website.

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Chicago residency is required for all full-time employees within 6 months of hire. Thank you for your interest in CCC!