Denver Seminary

Payroll & Accounts Payable Specialist

Job Title:Payroll & Accounts Payable Specialist
Reports To: Director of Financial Services/Controller
Location: Flexible
Pay: $21.34 – $26.68

About Denver Seminary

Denver Seminary is a multidenominational graduate school committed to preparing men and women to engage the needs of the world with the redemptive power of the gospel and the life-changing truth of Scripture. Through rigorous educational programs and a mentoring-focused community, the Seminary challenges students to grow spiritually, intellectually, and professionally, equipping them to lead God’s people in accomplishing His mission in the world.

General Statement of Job Function

The Payroll & Accounts Payable Specialist is responsible for accurate, timely, and confidential payroll and accounts payable processing. This position performs payroll administration, benefit and payroll liability reconciliations, vendor and payment processing, general ledger support, and related reporting. The role partners closely with the Director of Financial Services/Controller, People & Culture, and Seminary departments to maintain effective internal controls, resolve discrepancies, and support compliance with applicable requirements.

Essential Functions

  • Processes full-cycle semi-monthly payroll for employees across multiple states, including regular and supplemental earnings, faculty pay, housing allowances, federal work-study wages, stipends, deductions, taxes, and other approved adjustments.
  • Reviews payroll inputs, time records, employee changes, and approvals; transmits payroll; validates payroll registers; and reconciles payroll results to supporting documentation and the general ledger.
  • Administers approved payroll deductions, garnishments, final pay, and year-end payroll activities in coordination with People & Culture, the payroll provider, and Finance leadership.
  • Monitors payroll tax registrations, filings, notices, and corrections; research current payroll requirements and promptly escalates compliance concerns or exceptions to management.
  • Implements benefit deduction changes approved by People & Culture, reconciles payroll deductions and employer contributions to carrier invoices and system records, and investigates discrepancies or file-feed errors.
  • Performs full-cycle accounts payable processing, including invoice entry, coding and approval verification, weekly payment runs, payment-file review, vendor inquiries, and maintenance of complete supporting documentation.
  • Maintains vendor records and tax documentation, including Forms W-9, and supports annual Form 1099 preparation and reporting.
  • Processes student refunds and stipends and reviews corporate card activity, including receipt collection, coding verification, approvals, and follow-up on outstanding items.
  • Completes monthly reconciliations for payroll liabilities, payroll taxes, benefits, accounts payable, corporate cards, cash-related accounts, and assigned general ledger accounts; prepares journal entries and accruals as needed.

Secondary Functions

  • Maintains accurate financial reports, records, procedures, and audit documentation; responds to information requests and assists with internal and external audit schedules.
  • Identifies opportunities to strengthen workflows, documentation, internal controls, and segregation of duties while maintaining efficient and responsive service.
  • Safeguards confidential employee, payroll, banking, and vendor information and uses sound judgment when handling sensitive transactions and inquiries.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Education/Training

  • Associate or bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field preferred; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
  • Minimum of three years of progressive payroll, accounts payable, or accounting experience, including hands-on full-cycle payroll processing; multi-state payroll experience preferred.
  • Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, lookups, pivot tables, and reconciliation tools.
  • Experience with Paylocity, Financial Edge/Blackbaud, and Ramp preferred.
  • Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC), Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), or comparable professional development preferred.
  • Experience in nonprofit, higher education, or fund accounting is preferred.

Qualifications

  • A committed personal relationship with Jesus Christ is required, along with a lifestyle consistent with the Seminary’s Community Values and Behavioral Commitments.
  • Agrees with Denver Seminary’s Statement of Faith.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of payroll and accounts payable practices, accounting principles, reconciliations, and internal controls.
  • Exceptional accuracy, organization, and attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet firm processing deadlines.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to research issues, reconcile discrepancies, document conclusions, and escalate concerns appropriately.
  • Demonstrated discretion and commitment to protecting confidential employee and financial information.
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills and a service-oriented approach when working with employees, vendors, and internal partners.
  • Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment within established policies, and collaborate effectively as part of a team.

Denver Seminary prepares men and women to engage the needs of the world with the redemptive power of the Gospel and the life-changing truth of Scripture. Through our educational programs and mentoring process, the Seminary challenges students to grow spiritually, intellectually, and professionally to lead God’s people in accomplishing His mission in the world. The position of Payroll & Accounts Payable Specialist supports this mission through the following outcomes:

Outcomes

  • Payroll is processed accurately, confidentially, and on schedule, with complete approvals, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
  • Accounts payable transactions and weekly payment runs are timely, accurate, properly authorized, and supported by complete records.
  • Monthly payroll, benefit, accounts payable, corporate card, and general ledger reconciliations are completed promptly, with discrepancies researched and resolved.
  • Payroll and accounts payable procedures, controls, compliance records, and audit documentation remain current, organized, and readily accessible.
  • Employees, vendors, and internal partners receive responsive, professional, and solutions-focused service.

Typical Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Normal office environment with regular computer use, including occasional standing, walking, stair climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling, and lifting or moving up to 25 pounds.

Equal Opportunity and Faith Commitment

Denver Seminary is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence in all areas of ministry and operations. As a faith-based institution, Denver Seminary exercises its legal rights to prefer candidates who affirm and support our Statement of Faith and Community Values, consistent with applicable religious exemptions under federal law.

Accommodation: Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Applicants who require accommodation during the application process should contact Human Resources.

Note: Employment is contingent upon proof of eligibility to work in the United States and successful completion of a background check.

Application Process

Willingness to support Denver Seminary’s vision, sign the National Association of Evangelicals Faith Statement, and abide by the Seminary’s Community Values and Behavioral Commitments is required.

Please complete our online application form.  

Please send your resume or CV to [email protected].