Accountant I
Posting Number: JR107768
Location: Colorado
Engineering a world of possibilities
The Payroll and Employment Services team supports the Colorado School of Mines community and its off-campus partners by providing efficient and accurate payroll and employment operations. This support is essential to advancing the University's mission and is guided by principles of exceptional customer service, regulatory compliance, and fiscal accountability. The position plays a key role in fostering an environment focused on process efficiency and effectiveness, helping to reduce the financial and administrative burdens on campus constituents and requires a proactive approach to maintaining system integrity, improving processes, and delivering exceptional service to the campus community.
The Payroll Accountant will be responsible for all payroll related business processes and reconciliations for faculty and staff, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, and providing support to the Human Resources department. The person in this role will help create an environment that encourages and builds upon process efficiency and effectiveness for the purpose of alleviating the financial and administrative burden on various campus constituents. This individual will apply their knowledge and skills to a wide range of standard and nonstandard situations to interpret customer needs, assess requirements, identify solutions and deliver results.
This is a hybrid work environment, on-campus presence is required on a weekly basis.
Payroll Operations and Processing
Process semi-monthly and monthly payroll for faculty and staff, including maintaining payroll records, reviewing timesheets, calculating and auditing payroll deductions.
Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing, including making necessary adjustments and resolving discrepancies.
Prepare payroll reports and analysis for management and external agencies.
Maintain knowledge of federal and state regulations related to payroll processing and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
Research regulations for payroll compliance in states other than Colorado and provide a risk analysis for hiring considerations.
Provide support to faculty and staff regarding payroll and benefit-related inquiries.
Suggest changes in procedures to provide better customer services to the campus. Make procedural changes for payroll processes when it becomes clear that there is a more efficient and/or accurate way to proceed.
Maintain confidentiality of all employee information and records.
Process all garnishment requests, ensuring amounts are calculated correctly.
Process all separation payouts of sick and vacation leave, per policy.
Audit & Reconciliations
Audit all demographic and payroll data for new hires and promotions.
Regular reconciliation of all payroll liability accounts.
Review accuracy of job families and position @types.
Audit employee benefits deductions and reconcile and adjust records/systems as needed.
Audit employee information and collaborate with the human resources department to ensure that all employee information is accurate and up to date.
Work with external auditors during audits of payroll records.
Identify issues that are out of compliance with IRS rules and regulations, and report findings to leadership.
Note any processes that do not follow the proper segregation of duties or internal control processes and propose solutions.
Assist with NRA compliance, 1042-S tax preparation and audit of related systems and records.
Audit all changes to bank records, including direct deposit requests.
Conduct PERA salary and Workers Compensation audits and take care of all related reporting.
Employment Verification & Unemployment Insurance
Manage employment verification requests and provide verification letters.
Help complete unemployment insurance claims thru Equifax and work with department leaders to provide related documentation when needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field. Experience related to the jo duties maybe substituted for education on a year for year basis.
Minimum of 2 years of experience in payroll accounting, preferably in a higher education setting.
Strong knowledge of federal and state payroll regulations.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
Preferred Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Experience and knowledge of higher education culture, governance, structures, and mission.
Experience in governmental accounting, payroll or human resources.
User experience with Workday HCM.
Certifications and Licenses:
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)
Salary and Benefits
$60,000 - $64,000
Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate's education, training and experience as well as the position's scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.
Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:
Flexible health and dental care options
Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year - including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution
Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
Free RTD Ecopass
All Mines employees also have access to https://stateofcolorado.benefithub.com/app/home through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines https://minesathletics.com/ home games, as well as access to the state of the art https://minesathletics.com/facilities/student-recreation-center/13 (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more) and equipment rentals through the https://minesathletics.com/sports/2016/7/10/outdoor-recreation-home.aspx. We are proud to have recently opened an on https://www.mines.edu/human-resources/employee-total-rewards/benefits/faculty-staff-benefits/more-for-you-aa/mines-early-childhood-center/. For more details about benefits at Mines, visit https://www.mines.edu/human-resources/benefits/.
How to Apply
Complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status)
Upload a resume or CV
Upload a cover letter
Candidates must be currently authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
This posting may be used to fill more than one vacancy based on business needs.
References will not be contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before that contact is made.
Application review will begin December 1, 2025. This posting will remain open until filled and may close without notice. For best consideration, apply by November 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. as applications received after that date may not be reviewed.
It is the intent of Mines to comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and their implementation rules and regulations, in support of equal opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities. To meet this goal, Mines will make reasonable accommodations during the employment selection process and within our working environment.
If you are a qualified individua
