PAYROLL SUPERVISOR
Town of Cary - Cary, NC
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Salary: $69,139.20 - $107,182.40 Annually Location : Cary, NC Job Type: Regular, Full-Time Job Number: 26-02475 Department: Finance Opening Date: 02/28/2026 Closing Date: 3/16/2026 11:59 PM Eastern FLSA: Non-Exempt Bargaining Unit: N/A Description Accuracy, collaboration, and trust are the cornerstones of our payroll operations. As Cary's Payroll Supervisor, you'll take the lead in managing and administering every aspect of payroll with precision and care. From data collection and calculations to deductions, reconciliations, and compliance, you'll ensure every detail is handled flawlessly and on time. This role is at the heart of our organization, connecting Finance and Human Resources to deliver a seamless payroll experience for every employee. Reporting to the Financial Operations Manager, you'll exercise independent judgment, safeguard confidentiality, and apply meticulous attention to detail in a function that impacts every member of our team. If you're ready to bring expertise and leadership to a dynamic environment where accuracy matters and collaboration drives success, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Typical Tasks Manages all payroll functions and supervises the Payroll Specialist; Ensures accurate and timely employee compensation by overseeing validation of biweekly payroll including updating employee status based on leave analysis and accrual reports from HR; reviewing complex public safety cycles and schedules to ensure payment is made accurately and in compliance with FLSA regulations; and ensuring all accounts balance prior to posting payroll journal entries; Monitors, reconciles, and troubleshoots payroll records while ensuring accurate and timely report submissions, including monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll reports and filings, as well as all federal and state tax submissions; Manages and prepares escheat reporting of unclaimed property, including compliance review, reconciliation, processing of due diligence letters, electronic annual reporting to all 50 states, and payments to claimants or states; Reviews and reconciles all payroll deductions including but not limited to 457, 401k, 401a, and 529 plans, SECU loans, flexible spending (FSA) and health spending (HSA) accounts, ensuring accurate posting to the general ledger; Manages NC retirement account reconciliation and ensures accurate and timely submittals to the Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System (LGERS), including preparing and posting journal entries. Serves as a primary point of contact with LGERS and manages communication regarding the validation of retirement data; Responsible for annual generation of W-2s, including reconciling in the financial system, and uploading files to IRS, NCDOR and Doculivery; Manages and performs all payroll audit work including research and analysis, payroll accruals and reconciliations, and submission and validation of data requested by auditors. Performs special audits such as LGERS audit; Reviews pension spiking report from NC Treasurer's Office and performs complex calculations to estimate pension spiking liability; Prepares complex journal entries, including all payroll entries and account corrections; Serves as lead for payroll-related technology and systems including troubleshooting, testing system enhancements/updates, and training staff. Serves as subject matter expert for ERP implementation; Responsible for annual system setup related to pay dates, holiday schedules, tax tables, and any other payroll related changes in financial system; Consults and advises staff at all levels on payroll-related policies and procedures; Other duties as assigned. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge of payroll systems, with Oracle and/or Naviline system and timekeeping platform experience preferred; thorough knowledge of payroll practices, Federal and State laws, methods, programs, accounting procedures, and business office operations; general knowledge of governmental accounting procedures and fiscal management, as well as personnel policies and procedures; ability to demonstrate initiative, organize work, accurately enter and analyze data, pay attention to detail, prepare detailed financial reports, keep moderately complex records, and make independent decisions without close supervision; ability to develop and implement an effective system for the municipal payroll process; ability to recognize, analyze, research, and solve problems; ability to interpret guidelines, policies, and laws; ability to work effectively with individuals at all levels within the organization and external agencies and vendors; ability to process and handle confidential matters with tact and discretion; ability to effectively handle multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously; ability to follow oral and written instructions and present ideas effectively, both verbally and in writing; ability to be flexible and comfortable with uncertainty to adapt to a fast-paced, rapidly growing, and innovative organization. Physical Requirements The work in this class is generally sedentary. An employee must be able to talk, hear and see, and must be able to grasp objects. Visual acuity is necessary in order to read and write handwritten and typewritten materials and view a computer screen. Minimum and Preferred Qualifications Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from a two-year associate degree program in accounting and considerable experience in payroll management and processing. Conditions of Employment Requires drug testing and background check (which may include criminal history check, motor vehicle records check, education verification and credit history review) and satisfactory reference checks prior to employment. Cary ensures equal employment opportunities (EEO) are provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political affiliation, marital status, veteran status, or genetic information. Regular Full-Time Employees Cary is pleased to provide excellent, competitive, and comprehensive benefits to serve the needs of our employees and their families. Because Cary believes that employees are one of our most important resources, significant dollars (averaging about 40% of annual salary per employee) are spent each year on employee benefits. All regular full-time employees of Cary are eligible, and benefits coverage for new employees and family members is effective upon an employee's hire date. 01 What is your highest level of education? Note: All education should be found in the education section of your application, including the concentration of any degrees. High School or GED Associates Degree Bachelors Degree Masters Degree or higher 02 How many years of experience do you have in payroll management and processing? None 1 or 2 years 3 or 4 years 5 years or more 03 What specific functions within payroll do you have experience with? 04 What payroll systems or software do you have experience with? 05 Describe a time you identified and solved a problem in your work. Required Question
Created: 2026-03-10