Process complex weekly payrolls for various employee groups, ensuring timeliness, accuracy, cost effectiveness, and compliance with collective bargaining agreements and regulations. Consistently deliver top-notch internal customer service. Communicate regularly with managers and timekeepers and answer employee questions. Perform research and analysis related to labor expenses. Assist with various financial and accounting reviews and reconciliations.

### Primary Responsibilities

Process complex weekly payrolls for various employee groups, ensuring timeliness, accuracy, and compliance with collective bargaining agreements and regulations

Enter data for new and existing employees

Assist with payroll-related research and analysis

Assist employees with payroll-related questions and issues, demonstrating customer service excellence

Answer inquiries on unemployment claims, employment verifications, workers’ compensation, mortgage and loan applications

Maintain paid time off records for assigned employee groups

Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies, in accordance with regulations

Maintain in-depth knowledge of payroll-related regulations and high degree of familiarity with collective bargaining agreements and non-contractual pay practices

Provide general administrative support, including answering phones, handling walk-in traffic, and filing, as necessary

Participate in the preparation of Payroll and Finance mailings to employees

Provide accounting support for Finance Department including documentation review and financial analyses and reconciliations

Assist in the follow-up and reissuance of uncashed checks

Coordinate securely gathering banking information and setting up electronic payments, and fielding questions regarding and resolving issues with returned payments

Assistance with other finance and accounting department tasks on a partial weekly basis

Other duties as assigned

### Skills and Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent education required. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Excellent mathematical skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (in particular, strong Excel skills).
Minimum of one year payroll experience.
Prior experience in a union environment preferred.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Top-notch customer service skills.
Excellent organization skills and attention to detail.
Opera knowledge, appreciation for the arts, and language skills a plus.

### Physical Demands

Must be able to work well in a high-pressure/fast-paced environment
Must be able to deal with a variety of personality types
Must be able to learn and adapt to a changing work environment
Must be able to handle confidential information with the utmost discretion
Must be able to work successfully both independently and as part of a team
Regularly required to sit, talk, and hear
Frequently required to use repetitive hand motion and to stand, walk, reach, bend
Occasionally required to lift up to 20 pounds
Must be able to work in person at the Opera House office a minimum of four days a week

The Metropolitan Opera is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and existing employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, citizenship status, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

Payroll and Accounting Associate

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