Assistant Director of the Payroll Examination, Bureau of Controller

About the role

Open to candidates who are permanent or those who have successfully filed for the most recent open-competitive (Exam No. 4000) and promotional exam (Exam No. 6000)

The Bureau of Controller within the Division of Finance requests to hire an accountant to perform duties as Assistant Director of the Payroll Examination. Under the direction of the Director of Payroll, the Assistant Director of the Payroll Examination/Payroll Accounting Unit will oversee the daily operations of the unit to ensure the accurate and timely processing of payroll transactions for agency employees.

The selected candidate will supervise staff responsible for analyzing payroll reports, researching payroll discrepancies, processing supplemental payments, and ensuring compliance with City payroll policies, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable regulations.

Duties Will Include but Not Be Limited to

• Supervise and direct the daily activities of the Payroll Examination Unit, ensuring timely completion of payroll transactions and adherence to established deadlines.
• Oversee the review and analysis of payroll reports generated through the Payroll Management System (PMS) and Payroll Information System (Pi), including PTAPD160, PTAPW161, and the Bi-Weekly Payroll Detail (700) Report.
• Ensure the accurate processing of retroactive salary adjustments, additions to gross pay, threshold overtime, maturations, leave without pay transactions, overpayment recoveries, and supplemental payrolls.
• Review and approve one-time payments, including unused leave balances, legal settlements, and other special payroll transactions.
• Monitor payroll activities to ensure compliance with Office of Payroll Administration (OPA), Office of Labor Relations (OLR), NYC Comptroller, and collective bargaining requirements.
• Supervise the preparation and reconciliation of bi-weekly payroll summaries and supporting documentation required for payroll certification.
• Oversee the processing of W-2 corrections, tax-related inquiries, payroll deductions, EFT reversals, and other specialized payroll transactions
• Research and resolve complex payroll issues received through service tickets, emails, telephone inquiries, Human Resources, management, and external agencies.
• Coordinate with Human Resources, Timekeeping, Compliance, Payroll Accounting, OPA, and other internal and external stakeholders to resolve payroll issues.
• Review work products for accuracy, identify trends and systemic issues, and implement process improvements to strengthen internal controls and operational efficiency.
• Develop unit procedures, provide training and guidance to staff, monitor performance, and ensure compliance with agency policies and payroll regulations.
• Prepare management reports, analyze payroll data, and recommend operational improvements to enhance service delivery.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Why you should work for us

• Loan Forgiveness: As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal/state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs that lessen your payments or even fully forgive your full balance. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website
• Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:

• o a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
• o additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position's associated union/benefit fund.
• o a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
• o a tax-deferred savings program and o a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.

• Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
• Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

Additional information

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC.

We provide a wide array of programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and social justice initiatives.

As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC, with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements, from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic, we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers!

Qualifications & Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, accredited by regional, national, professional or specialized agencies recognized as accrediting bodies by the U.S. Secretary of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), including or supplemented by 24 semester credits in accounting, including one course each in advanced accounting and auditing; or
• A valid New York State Certified Public Accountant license.

Additional information

To be eligible for placement in Assignment Level II individuals must have, in addition to meeting the minimum requirements, at least one year of experience as an Accountant - Assignment Level I or at least two years of satisfactory full-time professional accounting or auditing experience.