Payroll accountant Jobs in Thornton, CO

Payroll Manager

The Payroll Department, operating within the Finance Office, delivers comprehensive payroll compliance services to approximately 500 staff members across the Office of the Governor, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, and the Colorado Energy Office (Offices of the Governor). Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Payroll Manager serves as a hands-on working manager who oversees accurate, timely payroll processing while providing direct team leadership and staff development.

In addition to providing team guidance, tools, and oversight, the Payroll Manager establishes and monitors operational procedures to ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The role requires building expert-level knowledge of state payroll and financial systems, alongside exercising sound, independent judgment and creative problem-solving to address complex operational challenges.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plans and administers the payroll operation for the Offices, including analysis and evaluation of matters that impact different offices; increases efficiency and effectiveness of payroll processes.
• Accurate and effective management of the Office payrolls, including monthly, bi-weekly, and manual payrolls.
• Providing expert guidance as the primary point of contact for all payroll escalations.
• Responsible for advising and assisting Departmental management and other personnel concerning payroll matters; notifies Offices and HR partners about changes in procedures, forms, or policies relating to payroll matters.
• Analyzes and interprets personnel rules, policies and laws as they relate to the management of payroll for the Offices, and determines the appropriate process for payroll data entry and documentation for the Offices.
• Develops and implements policies, procedures, and systems regarding the payroll operation for the Offices of the Governor, and maintains payroll policy and procedure manuals.
• Serves as the primary Office of the Governor liaison with the Central Payroll unit of the Office of the State Controller and Division of Human Resources of the Department of Personnel and Administration with regard to payroll issues.
• Analyzes and troubleshoots payroll related problems and issues, and resolves them in collaboration with supervisor, other HR personnel, as applicable.
• Oversees the configuration and maintenance of Labor Distribution Profiles (LDPR) labor allocation process
• Assists the CFO with payroll-related audit inquiries for all internal and external audits concerning agency payroll operations
• Reviews work of Payroll Officer with regard to documentation and requests from the Offices to ensure that requests are processed in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Overseeing the UKG timekeeping system, including, but not limited to, providing training and technical assistance to the Offices
• Supervision and development of the payroll staff, including onboarding, performance management, and corrective action when needed.
• Conducting regular one-on-one meetings with each payroll staff member to review priorities, workload, and professional development.
• Building and maintaining cross-training and succession plans so that no critical, deadline-driven payroll process depends on a single individual.
• Setting team priorities and workload distribution in alignment with departmental and Office of the Governor deadlines.
• Fostering a team culture of documentation, knowledge-sharing, and continuity so payroll operations remain resilient to staff turnover.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility: Has supervisory accountability for one employee. Plans, directs, and coordinates activities for a unit. Duties include scheduling and assigning of work, training in all facets of work, quality control, and decisions impacting the pay, status and tenure of others. Conducts performance appraisals and provides input into and participates in discipline, dismissal, and hiring processes. This position supervises the following position(s): Payroll Officer, Payroll accountant/Accounting technician.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Education/Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business or public administration, human resources, or related field.
• At least two years of payroll analysis experience in payroll or personnel management systems, leave systems, methods and procedures, forms, process design or other related fields.
• Supervisory experience preferred
• Additional work experience in these or other related fields may be substituted on a year for year basis for the required formal education.

OR

• At least 3 years of experience managing and/or processing payroll within the State of Colorado payroll system.

Conditions of Employment

Applicants must pass a thorough background check prior to employment. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado; however, applicants must reside in Colorado at the time of employment.

Supplemental Information

To Apply:

A cover letter and resume must be submitted with the application for consideration. Your cover letter and resume must provide sufficient detail about your background and experience to allow the screening panel to properly assess your experience in the required elements, including your experience and achievements.

The State of Colorado/Office of the Governor offers a generous benefits package including:

• Annual leave accrued at 13.33 hours per month (4 weeks a year)
• Sick leave accrued at 6.66 hours a month (10 days a year)
• 12 paid holidays per year
• Medical and dental plans
• State paid life insurance policy of a minimum of $50,000 or 1x annual salary
• Choice of 2 retirement plans
• 401K and 457 plans
• State paid Short Term Disability coverage
• Additional optional life and disability plans
• Credit Union Membership
• RTD pass
• Training and professional development

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits visit:

Inclusion and Belonging

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

ADAAA Accommodations

The Office of the Governor is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Staffing Coordinator (the Senior Human Resources Director) at gov_hr@state.co.us.

Please submit an online application for this position at Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.