Accountant 1, 2 or 3

Position Information

Position Title Accountant 1, 2 or 3 Position Number 116074 Salary Range $40,144.00-$96,533.00 Depending on Experience Position Type Classified Staff

Department Information

Ending Effective Date of Temporary Employment Department Controller's Office

Job Duties

Responsibility / Duty

Position is responsible for processing payroll within the Controller's Office at Nicholls State University. Work in this payroll department involves a broad spectrum of duties performing various phases of the bi-weekly and semi-monthly payrolls. The payroll function is rather complex in that it entails the responsibility for all payroll disbursements, compulsory and voluntary payroll deductions, and the preparation of all appropriate general journal entries. Work is done independently with minimal review, receiving general supervision from the Assistant Controller for Accounting and Payroll. The incumbent provides aid to the Assistant Controller for Accounting and Payroll in collection and compiling information for various reports. Compiles and computes information in the preparation of the fiscal year end budget estimates, requests, and revisions. Incumbent has the responsibility of insuring payroll accounting reports and records are submitted on a timely basis according to university, state and federal rules and regulations. This position requires monthly analysis, periodic projections of payroll accounts, and maintaining the payroll accounting system. The incumbent is responsible for annual payroll of approximately $42,515,000 for approximately 1,100 full-time, part-time and student employees.

Maintains employee payroll records on present and former employees. Manages all aspects of the payroll process for the University's faculty, staff, adjunct teachers, and graduate students. This includes pay changes, job updates, specialty pay provisions, reporting requirements, etc.

Runs all necessary payroll edits and performs any necessary corrections. Maintains proper documentation for any and all changes. Responsible for completing the processing of electronic Direct Deposits of all payroll payments.

Performs the reconciliation of computerized reports (bi-weekly payroll activity) in the payroll accounting system and prepares required adjusting entries. Accurately computes and verifies transactions to prevent discrepancies in account balances. Prepares journal entries to correct charges for various departmental funds to conform to fiscal and academic year contracts.

Monitors the University's bank ACH/NOC reports for payroll returns. Researches accounting information involved with the voiding of payroll checks. Acts on any corrections needed and maintains reporting requirements for these corrections.

Responsible for remittance of Federal Tax withholdings on non-resident aliens who are working for the university through professional services contracts and international students receiving taxable scholarships.

Processes and remits payments made to university employees for "On Behalf" payments of affiliated organizations, after verification of all proper paperwork and approvals are completed.

Manages Crisis Leave Pool balance and employee leave transfer process. Maintains up to date knowledge in regards to the Crisis Leave Pool regulations.

Reviews and analyzes compensatory time earned by classified and un-classified employees in order to properly credit leave accumulation for straight time and time and one-half hours. Inputs proper FOAP into Banner system to correctly charge salary expenditures to the correct Fund.

Analyzes and balances data for the preparation of specialized monthly, quarterly and annual reports in accordance with State and Federal Governmental guidelines. Computes and balances all state and federal tax withholdings each payroll. Prepares Appendix C tax payment report worksheet to electronically remit federal, FICA and MFICA taxes each payroll. Prepares necessary internal forms to route to the Accounts Payable Department for posting. Calls in tax payments timely in compliance with IRS/Federal and State rules and regulations.

Manages monthly process of reporting and balancing retirement payroll records for LASERS, TRSL, and ORP retirement programs. Completes all necessary required forms for submitting to all retirement programs. Reconciles TRSL Contribution and Exception report once the TRSL and ORP files are uploaded.

As required by the US Department of Labor Statistics, each month provides the Louisiana Workforce Commission the total number of full- and part-time employees who received pay for the pay period which includes the 12th of the month.

Verifies and completes unemployment benefit charge report and requests checks be made for the payment of these benefits. Runs and maintains state unemployment insurance computerized reporting system (HRS Mon and HRS Qtr).

Reviews and verifies Earnings Records (Contract to Date, Year to Date figures, etc.) to assure accuracy and completeness throughout the year. Responsible for balancing and issuing W-2's, either on a monthly or yearly basis. Manages the electronic W2 process for all active and former employees.

Completes pre-verification process of individuals hired under a Professional Service Contract.

Percentage Of Time 50 Responsibility / Duty

Confers with Employees, Management, and various departments on all payroll related inquiries. Provides necessary information for compliance with Internal and External audits. Confers with LASERS and TRSL employees in all matters of wage verifications necessary for employee retirement plans.

Percentage Of Time 25 Responsibility / Duty

Calculate the cost of services such as overtime charges for services performed by university employees for outside agencies, Continuing Education camps, etc. Prepares financial information needed for the invoicing of such charges for the purpose of reimbursements.

Quarterly, provides gross payroll expenditures to the Director of Purchasing for completing the Risk Management report.

Annually creates, updates, and maintains system calendars on the Banner computer system. Updates and maintains the tax, deduction, and benefit tables in the Banner HR System. This position is responsible for the testing of all payroll related updates to the Banner HR system.

Certifies salaries for Teachers Retirement employees. Researches information needed for required Teachers Retirement reporting to certify online.

Percentage Of Time 15 Responsibility / Duty

Responsible for training employees on WEB time entry and any changes needed in the time entry system.

Serves as the primary backup up for the other Payroll Accountant as needed for the smooth operation of the payroll office within the Controller's Office of Nicholls State University.

Provides any backup documentation needed for FEMA claims to the Director of Purchasing.

Monitors compensated balances throughout the year to be sure employees remain in compliance with FSLA and board policies.

Prepares, maintains, and verifies for accuracy worksheets, summaries, schedules, and records relative to payroll required in the preparation of fiscal reports.

Percentage Of Time 5 Responsibility / Duty

Assigns and supervises work of student employees when necessary. Assists the Assistant Controller for Accounting and Payroll throughout the year as needed. Operates various office equipment in the performance of assigned duties.

Assists with student registration duties as necessary in the Banner Student system by collecting payment for student invoices. Invoices are checked and verified when necessary.

Accepts and performs additional duties not listed but necessary for the smooth operation of the payroll unit and the Controller's office of Nicholls State University.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that are met by the incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 10 pounds.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those the employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Percentage Of Time 5

Posting Detail Information

Minimum Experience Required

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Accountant 1 AS614 $40,144 - $78,790

Three years of experience in accounting, auditing, financial operations, payroll, or banking; OR

Six years of full-time experience in any field plus twenty-four semester hours in accounting; OR

A bachelor's degree with twenty-four semester hours in accounting; OR

A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, management, economics, or statistics; OR

An advanced degree in accounting, finance, business administration, management, economics, quantitative methods, or statistics; OR

Possession of a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.

Accountant 2 AS615 $42,952 - $84,302

Four years of experience in accounting, auditing, financial operations, payroll, or banking; OR

Six years of full-time experience in any field plus twenty-four semester hours in accounting plus one year of experience in accounting, auditing, financial operations, payroll, or banking; OR

A bachelor's degree with twenty-four semester hours in accounting plus one year of experience in accounting, auditing, financial operations, payroll, or banking; OR

A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, management, economics, or statistics plus one year of experience in accounting, auditing, financial operations, payroll, or banking; OR

An advanced degree in accounting, finance, business administration, management, economics, quantitative methods, or statistics; OR

Possession of a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.

Accountant 3 AS617 $49,192 - $96,533

Five years of experience in accounting, auditing, financial operations, payroll, or banking; OR

Six years of full-time experience in any field plus twenty-four semester hours in accounting plus two years of experience in accounting, auditing, financial operations, payroll, or banking; OR

A bachelor's degree with twenty-four semester hours in accounting plus two years of experience in accounting, auditing, financial operations, payroll, or banking; OR

A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, management, economics, or statistics plus two years of experience in accounting, auditing, financial operations, payroll, or banking; OR

An advanced degree in accounting, finance, business administration, management, economics, quantitative methods, or statistics plus one year of experience in accounting, auditing, financial operations, payroll, or banking; OR

Possession of a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.

Experience Substitution:

Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.

Minimum Education Required Minimum Licenses Required Other Minimum Requirements

Applicants must complete the application in its entirety with an electronic signature and date.

Resumes will not be accepted as a substitute for the application.

If education and employment history are not completed, the application will be disqualified. Please include any current and previous employment at Nicholls State University. Personnel files are not pulled for application purposes.

Applicants claiming education as a substitution for work experience must have their Official College Transcripts delivered to the Human Resources Department at hr@nicholls.edu or emailed directly to Jennifer.Prejean@nicholls.edu prior to the job closing date. Unofficial transcripts are NOT accepted.

Test(s) Required

No Test Required.

Preferred Education Preferred Experience Preferred Licenses Other Preferred Requirements Physical Demands Employment Year Fiscal Year If Grant Period or Specified Period selected, please specify begin date If Grant Period or Specified Period selected, please specify end date Employment Basis Full-time Proposed Ending Date (for faculty and grant funded positions) Posting Date 09/08/2026 Closing Date 09/20/2026 Special Instructions to Applicants Quick Link for Postings <