Fast Facts

WGU is seeking a Payroll Coordinator to ensure accurate and timely processing of biweekly payroll while maintaining compliance with taxation requirements. This role involves system configuration, development of complex reports, and collaboration with various departments involved in payroll.

Responsibilities: Process biweekly payroll, maintain tax compliance, prepare reports, address payroll inquiries, and collaborate with HR and other departments.

Skills: Strong knowledge of HR/Payroll systems, analytical skills, detail-oriented, excellent communication, and proficiency in Excel and general accounting principles.

Qualifications: Associate’s degree required; 3 years payroll experience or 5 years of relevant experience preferred. Bachelor's degree and payroll certifications are a plus.

Location: This role requires on-site work at WGU headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah, 4 days a week.

Compensation: $60300 - $90500 / Annually

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Grade: Professional 306Pay Range: $60,300.00 - $90,500.00

Job Description

About the Role:

The Payroll Coordinator is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of the biweekly payroll and maintains the Federal, State, and Local taxation requirements between our system, tax vendor, and tax agencies. Responsibilities also include the configuration of our payroll system, research and implementation of compliance related matters, development of complex reports, and attendance of training courses to stay up to date on best payroll practices. To ensure smooth delivery of all employee time tracking and biweekly payments, the Coordinator will collaborate with any department whose activity feeds into or out of our payroll system, such as Benefits, HRIS, Compensation, Talent Acquisition, Personnel, and Accounting. They will operate in a high-pace, urgent environment and demands accuracy in all things.

Location: This position requires you to work in office 4 days a week at the WGU headquarters: 4001 South 700 East Salt Lake City, UT 84107. 

What You’ll Do:

• Assists employees and managers across the university with payroll questions, finds resolutions, or provides movement on issues.
• Administers modules within the payroll system affecting pay results.
• Prepares tax applications and unemployment reports, ensures compliance of local tax set up.
• Oversees the preparation of regulatory and governmental reports including those related to unemployment, garnishments, wage attachments, taxes, and other required information.
• Participates in the timely generation and efficient distribution of W-2s, which includes prior testing, audits and reconciliation, and eventual implementation of yearly results.
• Works with auditors on internal or external audits of payroll information, controls, and procedures.
• Stays informed of developments in the payroll field and of changing governmental and legal requirements.
• Participates in confirmation of and compliance with the Federal, State, and Local employment related tax.
• Creates payroll reports using query tools and complex Excel formulas for delivering of audits and/or upon executive request. Prepares and maintains all payroll related records and reports.
• Works as a liaison between departments to stay informed of current projects, then works with those departments to create pay or deduction codes, update timekeeping and/or payroll configurations, partner with HRIS to create employee master data points, and separate pay run schedules (i.e. bonus payments).
• Monitors and updates configurations within the system for different schedules such as paid, eligible holidays, pay run schedules, year-end activities, etc.
• Develops and maintains procedure documentation for all responsibilities, including the addition to the Payroll Execution Checklist detailing the objective of the task, responsible party, and links to steps.
• Oversees, manages, and coordinates on-schedule and off-cycle payroll runs.
• Submits, monitors, and reconciles the integrations between company data and outside systems.
• Ensures accuracy, security, integrity, and completeness of employee data.
• Provides end-user troubleshooting, issue remediation, technology request assistance, and escalation management, using ticketing and/or tracking systems. Monitors recurring issues or process gaps and proactively identifies potential sources of increased efficiency.
• Assists with broadening internal knowledge of employee tools through job aids and other materials.
• Takes a lead in system releases and updates, which includes researching functionality, conducting testing, and delivering communication options.
• Works closely with other team members to brainstorm, strategize, and complete ad hoc requests creatively, effectively, and efficiently.
• Attends and participates in meetings and committees as required.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities You’ll Need to be Successful:

• Knowledge of HR/Payroll systems maintenance and support, including the execution of system changes (quarterly updates, integrations, new configuration) and system testing.
• Detail-oriented thinker, exhibiting strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills.
• High degree of interpersonal skills and ability to be a team player who contributes valuable ideas and feedback and can be relied upon to meet commitments.
• Strong work ethic and passion for delivering fully researched, quality results.
• Effective listening, written and verbal communication and customer service skills, ability to communicate at all levels of management.
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize multiple and simultaneous operational and strategic activities.
• Skill and discretion when working with sensitive employee data, maintaining confidentiality in all situations with a keen eye for detail, quality, and accuracy.
• Strong working knowledge of general accounting, payroll processes, employment taxes, employee benefits, voluntary and involuntary deductions, and employment laws.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite tools, especially Excel.
• Familiarity with importing and verifying data for use in reports, audits, and spreadsheets.
• Ability to participate in an HRIS or Payroll project including implementations, enhancements, process improvement initiatives, and system maintenance.

Minimum Requirements:

• Associate’s degree
• 3 years of payroll experience OR 5 years of combined experience in payroll and related discipline such as HRIS, Benefits, HCM IT, Accounting, etc.
• Experience processing multiple states (20+) and mid-size employee population (500+)
• Experience with maintaining HRIS/HCM system configuration
• Active member of the American Payroll Association (APA)
• Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for education degree requirements. Generally, equivalent relevant experience is defined as 1 year of experience for 1 year of education and is the discretion of the hiring manager.

Preferred Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree
• Local tax experience
• FPC or CPP certificate
• Workday experience or background using other major HR/Payroll systems such as SAP HCM or SuccessFactors, Ultimate Kronos Group, Ceridian, ADP, Oracle, etc.

Why Join WGU?

• You will be part of a growing, diverse, inclusive workforce, committed to creating pathways to a better life for our students by expanding access to education for everyone.
• We provide comprehensive dental, vision, and medical benefits, with paid time off, parental leave, and inclusive family forming benefits.
• We offer generous retirement and HSA company contributions.
• You will also have opportunity for continuous learning! Employees and their families receive discounted undergraduate and graduate WGU tuition.

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Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected].

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.