The Portage County Finance department is hiring a full-time Financial Associate III. This position is responsible for processing county-wide payroll accounts payable related to payroll and performs general accounting activities.
The 2026 pay range starts at $27.77 / hr
What are the primary job duties
Employee Maintenance- Enters personnel action forms submitted by Human Resources staff to update payroll information resulting from a new hire position change salary change or termination.
- Works closely with the Human Resources Department staff to verify source documents submitted by county departments used to change salary/hourly rates affected by new hires promotions progressions contract settlements and terminations.
- Maintains employment and withholding records using documents submitted by the Human Resources Department and employees.
- Audits all salary and fringe benefit changes/calculations.
- Verifies employee retirement eligibility and submits monthly retirement earnings report.
- Reconciles various pre-tax benefit accounts and prepares any necessary journal entries.
Payroll Processing and Reporting- Reviews and reconciles bi-weekly employee time entry submitted by County department staff for verification of total hours reported by pay category such as regular holiday overtime hours or other pay types.
- Calculates employee wages including other types of pay and processes payments via direct deposit or check.
- Reviews activity codes to ensure the proper distribution of payroll expenses to proper department project or grant program accounts.
- Communicates with department staff to inform them of any payroll errors/problems.
- Prepares various worksheets to track and verify employee earnings hours and benefits. Makes necessary adjustments to employee payroll records.
- Reconciles all payroll tax accounts and payroll withholding accounts with the Countys general accounting records.
- Provides documentation to make payments to proper agencies pertaining to payroll taxes and withholdings.
General Accounting- Prepares and enters general journal entries as needed.
- Prepares and/or assists in the compilation of data and other financial records for preparation of routine or special reports as needed.
- Analyzes balance sheet revenue and expenses accounts and performs reconciliations as needed.
- Assists in preparation of worksheets for annual budget and year end audit.
What are the minimum job qualifications- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Associate degree in Accounting or related field preferred.
- Three years of experience in payroll preferred preferably in a government setting.
- Four years of experience in accounting (accounts receivable accounts payable general ledger payroll etc) preferred preferably in a government setting.
- Ability to successfully pass a financial and criminal background check.
- Any combination of education and experience necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.
Portage County offers a GREATbenefit package which includes the following;- Vacation - available on day one!
- Health insurance- your choice of two health plans- (Health Savings Account associated with a High Deductible Health Plan with a County contribution or a PPO Co-pay plan)
- Wellness incentive plan offered with health insurance enrollment! Earn up to $600 per year!
- Flexible spending account
- Dental insurance
- State of Wisconsin Retirement Plan - County contribution of 6.95% (2025) increasing to 7.2% in 2026!
- Paid holidays
- Paid sick leave
- Life insurance- premium paid by the County (must work a minimum of 30 hrs/wk)
- Long term disability insurance- premium paid by the County (must work a minimum of 30 hrs/wk)
- EAP (Employee Assistance Plan) - paid by the County
- 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
- Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
Portage County is an Equal Opportunity Employer Required Experience:
IC
The Portage County Finance department is hiring a full-time Financial Associate III. This position is responsible for processing county-wide payroll accounts payable related to payroll and performs general accounting activities.The 2026 pay range starts at $27.77 / hrWhat are the primary job dutiesE...
The Portage County Finance department is hiring a full-time Financial Associate III. This position is responsible for processing county-wide payroll accounts payable related to payroll and performs general accounting activities.
The 2026 pay range starts at $27.77 / hr
What are the primary job duties
Employee Maintenance- Enters personnel action forms submitted by Human Resources staff to update payroll information resulting from a new hire position change salary change or termination.
- Works closely with the Human Resources Department staff to verify source documents submitted by county departments used to change salary/hourly rates affected by new hires promotions progressions contract settlements and terminations.
- Maintains employment and withholding records using documents submitted by the Human Resources Department and employees.
- Audits all salary and fringe benefit changes/calculations.
- Verifies employee retirement eligibility and submits monthly retirement earnings report.
- Reconciles various pre-tax benefit accounts and prepares any necessary journal entries.
Payroll Processing and Reporting- Reviews and reconciles bi-weekly employee time entry submitted by County department staff for verification of total hours reported by pay category such as regular holiday overtime hours or other pay types.
- Calculates employee wages including other types of pay and processes payments via direct deposit or check.
- Reviews activity codes to ensure the proper distribution of payroll expenses to proper department project or grant program accounts.
- Communicates with department staff to inform them of any payroll errors/problems.
- Prepares various worksheets to track and verify employee earnings hours and benefits. Makes necessary adjustments to employee payroll records.
- Reconciles all payroll tax accounts and payroll withholding accounts with the Countys general accounting records.
- Provides documentation to make payments to proper agencies pertaining to payroll taxes and withholdings.
General Accounting- Prepares and enters general journal entries as needed.
- Prepares and/or assists in the compilation of data and other financial records for preparation of routine or special reports as needed.
- Analyzes balance sheet revenue and expenses accounts and performs reconciliations as needed.
- Assists in preparation of worksheets for annual budget and year end audit.
What are the minimum job qualifications- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Associate degree in Accounting or related field preferred.
- Three years of experience in payroll preferred preferably in a government setting.
- Four years of experience in accounting (accounts receivable accounts payable general ledger payroll etc) preferred preferably in a government setting.
- Ability to successfully pass a financial and criminal background check.
- Any combination of education and experience necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.
Portage County offers a GREATbenefit package which includes the following;- Vacation - available on day one!
- Health insurance- your choice of two health plans- (Health Savings Account associated with a High Deductible Health Plan with a County contribution or a PPO Co-pay plan)
- Wellness incentive plan offered with health insurance enrollment! Earn up to $600 per year!
- Flexible spending account
- Dental insurance
- State of Wisconsin Retirement Plan - County contribution of 6.95% (2025) increasing to 7.2% in 2026!
- Paid holidays
- Paid sick leave
- Life insurance- premium paid by the County (must work a minimum of 30 hrs/wk)
- Long term disability insurance- premium paid by the County (must work a minimum of 30 hrs/wk)
- EAP (Employee Assistance Plan) - paid by the County
- 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
- Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
Portage County is an Equal Opportunity Employer Required Experience:
IC
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