People & Culture

Document: Snr Payroll OfficerIssue Date: 20260910

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Position Description

Senior Payroll Officer

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Senior Payroll Officer is responsible for supporting the Payroll Manager in the accurate, compliant and timely delivery of Barker College’s fortnightly payroll for all permanent, temporary and casual employees.The role provides specialist payroll expertise across complex payroll matters, CMEA, Award and Enterprise Agreement interpretation, payroll compliance, reconciliations, operational reporting and employee enquiries.The Senior Payroll Officer works collaboratively with the other Senior Payroll Officer to support the Payroll Manager and ensure continuity, accuracy and consistency across payroll operations. The two Senior Payroll Officers operate as equal senior team members, sharing responsibility for BAU payroll processes, technical payroll matters and day-to-day operational support.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Payroll Officer role includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:

Payroll Processing & Administration

- Assist the Payroll Manager with the preparation, validation and processing of Barker College’s fortnightly payroll.
- Maintain employee payroll records, including new starter set‑up, contract changes, salary changes and employee master data.
- Process and review timesheets, including manual entries and adjustments where required.
- Prepare and process termination payments, including annual leave, long service leave, redundancy and other employment‑related calculations.
- Prepare standard operational payroll reports and supporting data for review by the Payroll Manager.
- Maintain complete and accurate payroll filing and record‑keeping systems.
- Process monthly union fee deductions and reconciliations.
- Maintain government agency documentation and reporting requirements, including PRODA.
- Attend regular meetings with People & Culture, Finance and other stakeholders as required.

Payroll Compliance & Technical Expertise

- Maintain specialist expertise in the interpretation and application of the Christian Management in Education Agreement (CMEA), applicable Modern Awards, Enterprise Agreements and employment conditions.
- Calculate complex LSL entitlements, Terminations, casual penalties, and payroll adjustments.
- Ensure payroll practices comply with taxation, superannuation, Fair Work and other employment obligations.
- Assist the Payroll Manager with payroll audits, compliance reviews and external reporting requirements.
- Identify payroll risks, discrepancies and potential underpayments or overpayments, and promptly escalate them to the Payroll Manager.

Reconciliations & Reporting

- Prepare payroll reconciliations, exception reports and control checks for review by the Payroll Manager.
- Prepare monthly payroll General Ledger and balance sheet reconciliations.




- Prepare annual CMEA salary increases, remuneration changes and salary step progression calculations.
- Calculate and review annual leave loading, complex LSL entitlements, Terminations, casual penalties, allowances and payroll adjustments.
- Review and validate annual CMEA salary increases, remuneration changes and salary step progression calculations.
- Reconcile leave balances, leave calculations, accruals and employee entitlements.
- Support year‑end payroll reconciliations, Single Touch Payroll finalisation and reporting activities.
- Complete fortnightly superannuation reconciliations and uploads.
- Complete fortnightly contractor superannuation reviews, reconciliations and reporting.
- Prepare standard payroll reports, reconciliations and supporting data for review by the Payroll Manager.

Systems & Process Improvement

- Support the Payroll Manager with payroll process improvements, automation opportunities and documentation and maintenance of payroll procedures, controls, calendars and work instructions.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of payroll compliance, data quality and operational.
- Work collaboratively with the other Senior Payroll Officer as equal senior payroll team members.
- Share responsibility for maintaining continuity of payroll operations during periods of leave, absence.
- Undertake essential payroll processing, review, reconciliation and reporting.
- Support the Payroll Manager and each other in coordinating payroll priorities, deadlines and operational workload.
- Provide technical guidance, coaching and knowledge sharing to other payroll team members.
- Escalate significant payroll risks, control issues or compliance concerns to the Payroll Manager.
- Maintain sufficient knowledge of core payroll processes and responsibilities to provide effective team coverage and business continuity.
- Respond to employee and manager payroll enquiries in a professional, accurate and timely manner.
- Provide transparent and practical explanations of payroll calculations and entitlements.
- Maintain strict confidentiality and exercise discretion in all payroll matters.
- Build effective working relationships with employees, managers, People & Culture, Finance and external stakeholders.

Other Duties

- Undertake other payroll and related duties as directed by the Payroll Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS

Technical

- Minimum of five years’ payroll experience, including demonstrated experience in a senior payroll position.
- Demonstrated expertise in end‑to‑end payroll processing and payroll control procedures.




- Advanced understanding of payroll legislation, PAYG withholding, superannuation and employment obligations.
- Demonstrated expertise in interpreting the CMEA, applicable Modern Awards, Enterprise Agreements and employment conditions.
- Demonstrated experience calculating annual leave loading, long service leave, termination payments, redundancies, salary step progression, overtime and allowances.
- Strong reconciliation, analytical and problem‑solving capability.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including payroll reconciliation, analysis and reporting.
- Experience using payroll, HRIS and time and attendance systems.
- Experience with Aurion and Clipboard is highly regarded.
- Experience within the education sector is highly regarded.

ESSENTIAL PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Meticulous attention to detail and a strong commitment to accuracy.
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality, exercise discretion and apply sound judgement.
- Strong organisational and time management skills.
- Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and meet strict payroll deadlines.
- Collaborative approach and ability to work effectively as part of a team.
- Demonstrated ability to provide technical guidance and support to others.
- Commitment to delivering a high level of customer service.
- Ability to support the Christian values and ethos of the School.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Child SafetyBarker College has an abiding commitment to the safety, protection and well‑being of all children and young people in our care. All staff members will be held accountable for ensuring adherence to the policies of the School, in particular those relating to the safeguarding of children.GeneralBreaches to a staff member’s responsibilities and/or authority will be managed through the School’s Disciplinary Management Procedures. This defined accountability is underpinned by Barker College’s Code of Conduct and the Complaints Procedures.Work Health and SafetyAll staff members will be held accountable for their actions and omissions where it affects their own or another person’s workplace safety.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

- Prepared to undertake any additional training to complement the position
- Four days per week, ideally Monday to Thursday, 8.30 am to 4.30 pm.
- Flexibility may be required during payroll processing, year‑end and other peak periods.

ORGANISATION CHART RELATIVE TO POSITION

- The Manager’s Manager: Director of Finance
- The Immediate Manager: Payroll Manager
- This position: Senior Payroll Officer

APPROVAL

This position description accurately details the primary duties and responsibilities of the Senior Payroll Officer.

Accepted by: Name of Staff Member: ____________________________ Signature of Staff Member: ____________________________ Date: ____________________________

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📌 Senior Payroll Officer (New South Wales)
🏢 Barker College
📍 New South Wales