Accounting Clerk

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Accounting Clerk is responsible for bi-weekly payroll processing and payroll tax filing. They will perform clerical, bookkeeping, and accounting assignments and prepare accounting statements and financial reports. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Responsible for the preparation and processing of biweekly payroll.
2. Review and ensure accuracy of approved timesheets and ensure all employees receive correct payment.
3. Trains Zoo managers and staff on payroll software time and attendance functions.
4. Track and deduct all garnishments and other special payroll deductions.
5. Processes payroll data such as vacation/personal time, insurance, and 401(k) and other deductions.
6. Conducts end-of-month and end-of-year closing activities for payroll.
7. Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, wage, and hour laws and best practices, and ensures that quarter-end and year-end tax deadlines and procedures are followed timely and accurately.
8. Reviews and reconciles monthly benefit invoices to ensure accuracy.
9. Designs and runs reports from payroll system as requested.
10. Prepares and submits the yearly EEO-1 reporting.
11. Prepares onboarding process for new hires and volunteers, including the employment badge creation and IT setup.
12. Coordinates background checks for volunteers, as well as annual background checks for staff.
13. Maintains files on all current and former staff.
14. Completes surveys, censuses, or other reports.
15. Prepares documentation and facilitates yearly Workers Compensation Insurance audit.
16. Runs financial reports and various accounting statements.
17. Prepare and post journal entries to general ledger.
18. Reconciles bank accounts
19. Acts as back-up to Accounts Payable Clerk, Staff Accountant, and cash room duties.
20. Proofs accounting reports for clerical accuracy.
21. Allocates expenditures to correct accounts according to departmental procedures.
22. Performs other related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. No direct reports

SAFETY ANALYSIS

The Accounting Clerk position is impacted by hazardous exposures common to an office environment as well.

The Accounting Clerk, as with any staff member of the Zoo, is required to be familiar with the Zoo’s overall safety policies as outlined in the staff handbook as well as being responsible for reporting any injury immediately to the Safety Manager, first aid department, or Manager on Duty (MOD).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by staff to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the staff member should expect:

• Use of hands, fingers, tools or controls.
• Frequently required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Infrequent stooping, kneeling, bending, or crouching
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
• Periods of walking for long distances
• Depending on assignment, exposure to the elements can be expected and exposure to wet surfaces.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

The Birmingham Zoo recognizes that skills and knowledge come from both formal and informal experiences including education, paid work, volunteer service, and life experience. Those who meet the majority of the requirements for a position are encouraged to apply.

Education and work experience

1. Some college preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
2. At least two (2) years of direct Payroll experience preferred.
3. At least two (2) years of Human Resource Software experience (HRIS) preferred.
4. Must be proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, etc.) and related programs. To perform this job successfully, an individual will have to become proficient in the use of Great Plains, KMWare software, and Paycom HRIS/payroll system.

Skills and knowledge

1. Work history in HRIS platforms such as Paycom, ADP, Ulti Pro, Kronos, etc.
2. Solid understanding of payroll and payroll compliance.
3. Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise extreme discretion.

1. Excellent communication skills, computer literacy, and knowledge of common software applications including Microsoft Office.
2. Ability coordinate with others to provide deliverables on an agreed upon deadline.
3. Ability to think critically and demonstrated time-management skills.  Strong organizational skills with strong attention to detail.

POSITION TYPE AND HOURS OF WORK

1. Full time
2. Mainly weekdays with some weekends required; occasional evening work and holidays.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Birmingham Zoo is dedicated to creating a global community where all people value wildlife and wild places. As a workplace, the Zoo is guided by its core values: Passion, Excellence, Teamwork, Sustainability, and Diversity & Inclusion. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and others who identify as nonwhite, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, neurodiverse individuals, and those with diverse lived experiences are encouraged to apply for this role. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and functions of this position. 

Birmingham Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected status or any other characteristic protected by law. 

If selected, a background check and drug test will be conducted prior to beginning employment.

Birmingham Zoo Inc. is a not-for-profit entity. The rate of pay for this position is $16.83/hour.