About the Opportunity
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The Auditor-Controller's Office is seeking an energetic, team-oriented professional with strong communication skills and can-do attitude for the position of Auditing Payroll Specialist. Customer focus should be at the heart of the candidate’s priorities. The ideal should be detail oriented, with the ability to multi-task while working in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment. You may work with CEO Human Relations, departmental Payroll/Human Relations staff, Risk Management, Employee Benefits, Disability Management, StanCERA, departmental staff, and other accounting staff from various County departments. Those in this class have a thorough knowledge of office procedures and regulations and the ability to perform these duties with minimal direction or supervision.
To learn more about the Auditor-Controller's Office, visit Auditor-Controller - Stanislaus County.
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Application Deadline: Monday, May 18, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
Written Examination: The week of May 25, 2026
THE POSITION
Under general supervision, the Payroll Specialist accurately processes Countywide payroll for all employee earnings, benefits and tax-related information in a timely manner; compiles and maintains a variety of payroll and benefit records and reports; provides guidance, training and serves as subject matter experts to departmental staff at various levels; performs related work as required.
Typical Tasks
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Reviews, verifies, and processes timecards and payroll records to prepare payroll in compliance with Federal, State, and County policies, procedures, regulations and Memoranda of Understanding (MOU).
- Processes, calculates, and maintains records of a variety of payroll actions, including new-hire set up, direct deposit, W-4 and DE-4 forms, retroactive pay, wage garnishments, disability coordination, final paychecks and pay-offs; maintains employee records for voluntary and non-voluntary deductions; verifies pay rate changes, cost of living adjustments, incentive and/or premium pay, and benefit withholding; and prepares payroll checks and wire transfers; researches and processes unclaimed checks.
- Reconciles and prepares State and Federal payroll taxes including tax deposits, quarterly reports, annual reports, and W-2’s; tax restatements and re-filings; and reconciles and prepares payments for benefits and insurance.
- Computes, controls, and records information relative to employee leaves and accruals such as vacation, sick, and holidays.
- Computes and processes claims for payment and prepares related reports relative to benefits and other contributions by the County on behalf of employees such as retirement and insurances; retains records of such payments.
- Prepares billings and correspondence for employees on leave of absence; calculates supplementation payments for retirees enrolled in the County’s health plan as well as COBRA recipients; accepts payments and deposits into revenue accounts.
- Responds to inquiries, subpoenas, information and records requests from County employees, supervisors and managers, insurance carriers, Federal and State agencies and others regarding compensation, leaves, claims, taxes, subpoenas, retirement and other issues related to payroll functions and established MOU interpretation.
- Maintains, audits, verifies and reconciles a variety of reports, journals, or related fiscal data; balances data to various general ledger accounts, registers, journals, and logs according to established accounting techniques and procedures.
- Assists with special projects as required.
- Maintains payroll records and employee files.
- Performs other related duties.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education/Experience)
SKILLS/ABILITIES
- Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of accounting, payroll processing, employee record-keeping functions, basic employee benefits processes, and MOUs.
- Review, post, balance, reconcile, and maintain payroll and other financial data.
- Maintain a high level of integrity and confidentiality when dealing with sensitive and complex payroll issues.
- Compose correspondence and reports independently or from brief instructions.
- Establish and maintain a variety of electronic record-keeping systems.
- Research payroll and related accounting records and files.
- Make accurate mathematical and financial computations.
- Enter and retrieve data from computer systems with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform assigned work.
- Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
- Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical deadlines.
- Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
- Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
- Present at County payroll trainings and meetings.
KNOWLEDGE
- General accounting practices, procedures, laws, rules and regulations related to the processing and recording of payroll and employee benefits.
- Financial Management Systems, Human Resource Management Systems, and Microsoft Office with particular knowledge of Excel and Word applications.
- Record keeping, information processing requirements and rules and policies related to the production of employee payroll.
- Payroll reporting and payment requirements of various State and Federal agencies and benefit providers.
- Understand Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, MOUs, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
- Principles and practices of auditing payroll documents.
- Modern office practices, methods, and computer and office equipment.
- English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
- Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and county staff.
We recognize your time is valuable, please only apply if you meet the following required qualifications.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
PATTERN I
- Three (3) years journey level clerical experience; with at least one year experience that includes the processing or auditing of payroll.
PATTERN II
- Thirty (30) units of college coursework from an accredited college or university. Coursework must be in accounting, finance, business or public administration, or closely related field; AND
- Two years of journey level clerical experience, with at least one year experience that includes the processing or auditing of payroll.
PATTERN III
- Sixty (60) units of college coursework from an accredited college or university. Coursework must be in accounting, finance, business or public administration or a closely related field; AND
- One year journey level clerical experience that includes the processing or auditing of payroll.
Proof of education is required for verification purposes at the time of application. Applicants who are unable to submit proof must call 209-525-6506 to make other arrangements before 5 pm on the final filing date. Failure to submit proof or make other arrangements before the final filing deadline will result in disqualification.
Application and Selection Procedures
APPLICATION PROCEDURES/FINAL FILING DATE
Applications cannot be submitted later than 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date. Make your online application as complete as possible so a full and realistic appraisal may be made of your qualifications.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.
Attaching your resume and cover letter are an optional feature for those who wish to do so in addition to completing the required application. Information on your resume and cover letter will not substitute for the education, work experience and required fields on the County application. The online County application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications.
EXAMINATION PROCESS
Most County recruitments consists of the steps detailed below and are governed by Merit Principles. The examination process ensures that all applicants are given the same opportunity to gain employment within Stanislaus County.
- Application Review and Screening. Applications are carefully screened based on information provided. Those who submit incomplete applications that lack relevant qualifications or do not submit all required documents will not be invited to move on.
- Written Examination. Applicants will be invited to participate in a written exam that tests knowledge for the position.
- Oral Examination. Applicants are invited to a panel interview in which they will be evaluated by County subject matter experts.
- Eligible Lists. Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification. Eligible lists are effective for six months, but may be extended up to eighteen months.
GENERAL INFORMATION
CLASSIFICATION INFORMATION Unless otherwise provided, this position is part of the Unclassified Service of the County and considered “at will” for labor relations purposes. The individual selected will participate in the Stanislaus County Pay-for-Performance program, as well as receive additional benefits.
The Job Task Analysis provides information detailing the physical and functional demands of the classification. For the complete job task analysis, visit the Risk Management website at http://www.stancounty.com/riskmgmt/ under the "Disability" tab. Note: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, part-time and full-time vacancies. Incumbents may also be subject to overtime, standby, callback, weekend, holiday and shift assignments as identified in their MOU (Memorandum of Understanding).
RECRUITMENT ACCOMMODATIONS Arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities and religious convictions. Applicants requiring testing accommodations are required to complete and submit the Testing Accommodations Request Form prior to the test administration date. Special arrangements for religious convictions should be included in the "Additional Information" section of the application form.
GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Pass County-paid pre-employment job-related background investigation.
- Perform job duties in a manner assuring a safe working environment for oneself and others.
- Maintain confidential information according to the legal standards and/or County regulations as required.
- Some positions may be required to possess and maintain a valid California Driver’s License and meet County insurability requirements.
APPLICATION AND/OR EXAMINATION APPEAL RIGHTS Application and/or examination results may be appealed by applicants presenting facts alleging irregularity, fraud and/or error in application screening or in exam scoring. Appeals must be in writing and submitted to the Chief Executive Officer within seven (7) days after the examination results are emailed.
DISCLAIMER Stanislaus County reserves the right to revise the examination plan described in this flyer to better meet the needs of County service. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. The information contained in the bulletin is information which sets forth a general summary of benefits for this respective position. This information is not legally binding. The benefits and other information regarding this position may be found in the Stanislaus County Code, the Stanislaus County Personnel Policies manual, or in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding(s), and such information prevails over information contained in this flyer. Questions regarding this bulletin may be directed to the Stanislaus County Chief Executive Office/Human Relations.
Benefits associated with this position can be found at Benefits Summary.
Closing Date/Time: 5/18/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
