Senior Financial Analyst (Payroll)

The Village of Menomonee Falls is seeking a Senior Financial Analyst to support the Village's long-term fiscal health through advanced budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting-while also playing a key role in bi-weekly payroll processing and related reconciliations. The ideal candidate will bring public-sector payroll experience, including expertise with Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) / ETF reporting and reconciliations, and a proven ability to partner with departments to strengthen controls, improve processes, and ensure accurate, compliant outcomes.

1.Assists in the development and administration of the annual operating and capital budgets, including coordinating with departments, reviewing requests, preparing analyses, and drafting budget documents.
2.Develops, maintains, and interprets complex financial models and forecasts (e.g., wage projections, revenue trends, capital funding strategies) to guide decision-making.
3.Processes and releases bi-weekly payroll in UKG (timekeeping and payroll); ensures accurate and timely pay in compliance with Village policy, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable federal and Wisconsin requirements; prepares payroll reports/metrics; researches and resolves payroll discrepancies; and prepares a payroll approval package for Finance Director review/approval prior to final commit and release of direct deposits.
4.Posts payroll journal entries to the Village's financial system and ensures accurate distribution of payroll and benefit costs by fund/department/project; resolves UKG-to-GL interface or mapping issues and supports monthly/period-end close.
5.Records payroll accounts payable, ensuring net pay and payroll-related disbursements are properly recorded and timely cleared.
6.Reconciles payroll liability accounts at least monthly (and at quarter-end/year-end), including federal/state withholdings, FICA/Medicare, WRS/ETF-related liabilities, deferred compensation, insurance withholdings, and garnishments; investigates and resolves reconciling items.
7.Provides Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) support, including reconciling employee/employer contributions to payroll reports; supporting annual WRS reporting and audit requests; and coordinating corrections with Human Resources.
8.Manages quarter-end payroll activities (reconciling Form 941; quarterly signoff in UKG)
9.Manages year-end payroll activities (balancing taxable wages and withholdings; W-2 processing and corrections as needed; and resolves variances between payroll, benefits, and the general ledger).
10.Advises and instructs staff in Village Departments on payroll policies and procedures.
11.Coordinates with Human Resources in preparing for and implementing payroll-related changes driven by regulatory/legal action, updated administrative rules or collective bargaining.
12. Prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports; analyzes variances and recommends corrective actions to department managers and senior leadership.
13.Monitors grant funds and special assessments to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal requirements.
14.Provides departmental support on accounting principles, budget preparation, and financial system functionality; serves as a resource on GASB standards and other regulatory guidance.
15.Coordinates and/or performs detailed account reconciliations, journal entries, and year-end closing activities.
16.Assists with the annual audit by preparing workpapers, compiling supporting schedules, and responding to auditor inquiries.
17.Develops ad-hoc financial and statistical analyses, cost-benefit studies, fee schedules, and rate models as requested by management.
18.Participates in system implementations, upgrades, and testing of financial software; designs and refines reporting tools and dashboards for end users.
19.Collaborates on cross-departmental teams and special projects to enhance efficiency, strengthen internal controls, and improve fiscal policies.
20.Provides functional guidance to accounting staff including serving as backup for cash receipting and daily deposit.
21.Other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Performs duties and responsibilities commensurate with assigned functional area within a Village department, which may include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following tasks:
1.Considerable knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), governmental budgeting practices, payroll laws, and applicable statutes and regulations.
2.Considerable knowledge of the modern principles, practices, and procedures of general accounting, payroll management, administration, business management, or appropriation and budgeting, as applied to governmental entities.
3.Considerable knowledge of governmental policy analysis and its relationship to government budgeting practices.
4.Considerable knowledge of the principles and techniques of financial and statistical analysis and financial modeling and forecasting.
5.Considerable knowledge of modern principles and practices of governmental fiscal reporting and accounting.
6.Considerable knowledge of the principles of auditing in the public sector, particularly as applied to budget development and control, or accounting.
7.Considerable knowledge of computer systems as applied to budgeting, accounting, payroll, or financial management applications.
8.Considerable knowledge of data processing terminology and computer applications such as; report generation, spreadsheet, data base management, Internet, and word-processing.
9.Considerable knowledge of an array of Village operations, services, and programs being provided.
10.Working knowledge of modern principles and practices of policy and procedure development and implementation, communications, staffing and financial and management controls.
11.Ability to execute and file an official bond.
12.Ability to plan, prioritize, organize, and effectively carry out a variety of assignments under strict time constraints with minimal supervision.
13.Ability to participate in work groups; and to plan, coordinate, and implement projects.
14.Ability to define problems, collect, analyze, and interpret complex fiscal data and to prepare and present detailed recommendations and conclusions.
15.Ability to utilize financial and accounting spreadsheet and database applications, presentation tools, and integrated financial systems.
16.Ability to communicate and work within a team environment.
17.Ability to effectively present ideas and concepts to others, both orally and in writing.
18.Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with employees at all levels within the Village, representatives of other agencies, third party administrators, and elected officials.
19.Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and complete records and reports.
20.Ability to plan, organize, and review the work of others.
21.Ability to analyze data with precision, develop robust financial models, reconcile payroll discrepancies, and interpret intricate fiscal and statistical information effectively
22.Ability to utilize financial and payroll software, report-writing tools, and the Microsoft Office suite.
23.Ability to communicate complex financial and payroll information clearly, both orally and in writing, to a variety of audiences including elected officials and the general public.
24.Ability to provide functional guidance and training to other staff.

1. Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, public administration, business administration, or a closely related field.
2. Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience in governmental accounting, budgeting, financial analysis, or payroll administration; CPA, CPFO, CPP, or master's degree preferred.
3. Valid State of Wisconsin driver's license or ability to obtain one upon hire.

A combination of equivalent experience, education, or professional training that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the position as determined by Human Resources may be considered.

Ideal candidate will have experience processing payroll for a public sector entity in Wisconsin as well as experience with Wisconsin Retirement System rules/regulations.
Prior experience processing payroll with UKG Ready is a plus.

Prior to hiring, the successful candidate will be subject to work/education/certification reference(s) verification, criminal background, drug screen, and driver's license check.

EEOE Statement

The Village of Menomonee Falls provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, the Village will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.