Description
Assist the Comptroller in overseeing the County’s Payroll and Garnishments and Accounts Payable departments. Ensure all payment requests from County departments are properly funded and documented and oversee timely payments to County vendors. Manage payroll tax preparation and filing. Assist the Comptroller with the Countywide external audit to ensure compliance with statutory rules and regulations. Act as a key fiscal officer in the Accounting Division of the Comptroller’s Office handling complex, confidential accounting and financial responsibilities. Work with the Comptroller to develop policies affecting financial management operations.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
Lead and mentor staff, oversee project execution, and foster an inclusive and productive work environment.
Assist in directing payroll and garnishment processes to oversee disbursement, reporting, compliance, yearend activities, and external audits.
Evaluate payroll and garnishment policies and procedures to ensure timely and efficient processing of biweekly and interim payroll cycles, general ledger maintenance, tax deposits, account reconciliations and required reports.
Develop policies and procedures to ensure IRS Form 1099 accuracy and maintain records.
Compile and prepare data for accurate and timely distribution/filing of payroll tax reports, W-2 files and other operating reports.
Coordinates County activities related to financial administration, general accounting, business services and financial statistical reporting.
Consults with bureau/department managers to thoroughly assess significant financial issues and develops strategies to address them effectively.
Develop and implement policies, rules, and regulations affecting financial control management and accounts payable.
Maintain and update the vendor address book and departmental signature authorization cards.
Ensure proper billing and funding, including the approval of incoming batches from other departments.
Manage weekly and as needed cash disbursement schedule, preparation, and disbursement of vendor payments.
Serve as liaison to finance and audit committees and contributing to the development of financial policy.
Represents the Comptroller at meetings with officials, governmental agencies and project consultants, and communicates project goals to managers, the public and outside agencies as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Ability to implement a system for researching, writing, monitoring, reporting, and closing out projects.
Superb organizational skills; diligent attention to detail; ability to plan, track and complete long-range project deadlines and goals.
Ability to prioritize, track and implement multiple tasks simultaneously; ability to deal well with a large volume of work while maintaining high quality, efficiency, timeliness.
Outstanding communication skills, both written and oral.
Ability to utilize Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and SharePoint.
Ability to evaluate and prioritize multiple assignments in an efficient and timely manner.
Ability to work in a highly confidential environment.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree PLUS a minimum of three (3) years of experience in accounting, finance, payroll or administration of a large and complex organization OR equivalent combination of professional work experience, training and education.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Master’s Degree or secondary degree.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Experience in payroll management or administration for a large, complex organization.
Prior supervisory or managerial work experience.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Sedentary Work
Sedentary Work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.
The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.
EMPLOYMENT TERMS
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Pursuant to the Shakman Consent Decree, Supplemental Relief Order, and the Cook County Personnel this position is exempt from the County’s career service rules, is at-will and political reasons or factors may be considered when taking any employment action. As an employee in a Shakman Exempt position, if you do not currently live in Cook County, you will have six (6) months from date of hire to establish actual residency within Cook County.
