Payroll Analyst

The position assists with preparation for the biweekly payroll, responds to and resolves complex payroll issues, completes all pertinent documentation, and helps to ensure payroll accuracy for various employee and labor groups supported by University Services Payroll.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Major Job Responsibilities

A timekeeping and payroll analyst manages employee attendance data, audits high-volume timecards, and ensures accurate end-to-end payroll processing. This role bridges human resources, finance, and operations by resolving complex discrepancies, and maintaining compliance with federal and state labor regulations. Serve as a subject matter expert for labor union contacts on processes related to time reporting and absence management use and initiate outreach and training as needed. Apply University policies and union rules to specific situations, helping staff to understand how they relate to them. Respond to payroll questions from employees, supervisors, and Central Payroll.

35% Reconcile and Analyze Payroll Information

• Review time and absence, pay progression and other processes for accuracy.
• Audits the biweekly payroll verification report for University Services to ensure correct pay in a given pay period.
• Reconcile data in UKG/Kronos and PeopleSoft, ensuring consistency and accuracy between the two systems.
• Manages the process to resolve errors.
• Meet all service level standards as set by management.

30% HRMS Administration

• Assists with position management for all U Services units.
• Analyze incoming requests for changes or additions and ensure they are valid and approved by the appropriate group before being implemented.
• Evaluate the effects of position configurations on the integrations to prevent unintended effects on other systems. This includes processing requests for appointment modifications, transfers, and any non-hiring changes to a person or position.
• Advise U Services HR staff and managers and supervisors in supported units on University Services and University payroll practices and policies.

15% Payroll Close Process

• Coordinate the payroll close process. This position will use multiple payroll timekeeping software.
• Review reports and make adjustments and corrections as necessary as part of the payroll close process.
• Analyze labor entries for accuracy and missing data which entails working with supervisors/managers to resolve errors, explaining policies and procedures. Initiate and review preliminary and final payroll runs for accuracy to ensure correct payments to employees.

10% Reporting and Report Distribution

• Creates, designs maintain and produce reports from multiple data sources ensuring that private data is protected.
• Develop queries for common inquiries are designed and maintained by this position as parameter-driven inquiries which are used by the U Services Payroll and U Services HR staff.
• Create one-time reports originating from an external request often require this position to evaluate the requirements through effective questioning of the requestor and clear explanation of any data limitations that may affect the usability of the results.

10% Trade Union Reporting and Auditing

• Serve as a primary point of contact with our various trade union employees regarding salary, hours worked and reporting.
• Asist with the trade union contract revisions ensuring compliance with the contract terms.
• Maintain ownership of all related trade union business processes and process documentation.
• Respond to audit requests by providing documentation and serving as a resource to auditors during an audit.

Essential Functions of Position

Review and analyze daily and biweekly timecard entry; customer service; leave of absence reporting and maintenance, vacation and sick leave reporting and maintenance; explain complex rules and policies, interpreting for specific situations; payroll personnel document preparation; payroll database updates and maintenance; ensure private data is managed in compliance with HIPPA, Minnesota Data Practices Act, FERPA, and University policies.

Required

• BA/BS degree in Accounting or related field or a combination of related education and general accounts transaction work experience to equal four years.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate orally and in writing
• Demonstrated experience using Microsoft Word and Excel
• Demonstrated ability to provide excellent customer service and accurate data entry
• Demonstrated experience running reports from financial or operational systems and experience reconciling results
• Experience working as a member of a collaborative team

Preferred

• Experience working in a payroll or human resources department
• Kronos Workforce Central or UKG experience
• PeopleSoft Payroll module experience
• Time and Labor and/or Absence Management (PeopleSoft modules) experience a plus
• Experience using databases and basic understanding of data integrity
• Effective problem solving, organizational, and time management skills

Pay Range: $24.69 - $27.88 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment:100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Please include a resume for a complete application.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.