Payroll Accounting Specialist

Job Information
Job Title: Payroll Accounting Specialist - Alberta Sheriffs Police Service 
Job Requisition ID: 86571
Ministry: Public Safety and Emergency Services
Location: Calgary, Edmonton or Red Deer
Full or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary/Wage: Permanent
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: September 8, 2026
Classification: Finance 3
Salary: ​$2,935.40 to $3,850.31 bi-weekly ($76,614 - $100,493/year)

Please note: It is anticipated that this position will transition to the new Alberta Sheriffs Police Service at a future date.

Interested in a career with the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service? To learn more about exciting opportunities with our organization, please contact the Recruitment Team at aspsrecruitment@gov.ab.ca.

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director of Finance, in the ASPS the Payroll Accounting Specialist performs complex payroll processing work within a computerized payroll system for the ASPS.

Responsibilities include receiving, reviewing, reconciling, and processing payroll and benefits, maintaining records, validating and balancing payroll data, and responding to payroll-related inquiries.

The Payroll Accounting Specialist is responsible for the administration of the payroll and benefits program for all ASPS employees. This position is responsible for the end-to-end process of preparing and processing payrolls from time sheets to T4s while interpreting and complying with government regulations, ASPS policies, and collective agreements. This position is accountable for reconciling general ledger accounts and the payment of statutory remittances and other payroll withholdings.

Key Responsibilities:

• Process bi-weekly and monthly payroll, including time entry, adjustments, retroactive pay, taxable benefits, termination payments and related calculations.
• Administer payroll and benefits programs in compliance with legislation, government regulations, ASPS policies, collective agreements and non-union policies.
• Maintain payroll system records, employee master files, payroll codes, reports, procedures and system functionality.
• Review time sheets, track leave and banked entitlements, monitor absences, and maintain accurate payroll and personnel documentation.
• Prepare annual payroll reporting, including T4s, pension reporting, records of employment and year-end payroll documentation.
• Administer employee benefits, including enrollments, terminations, coverage changes, premium reconciliations and issue resolution with benefit carriers.
• Coordinate disability-related payroll and benefits processes, including short-term disability, long-term disability and WCB documentation.
• Respond to payroll and benefits inquiries from employees, managers, external agencies and other stakeholders.
• Reconcile payroll and benefits accounts, process statutory remittances, prepare journal entries, and support audit and financial reporting requirements.
• Support budgeting, payroll forecasting, compensation analysis, collective agreement costing and related financial planning.
• Invoice paid duties, support continuous improvement initiatives, and recommend updates to payroll and benefits procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality, ethical conduct and public trust while performing assigned duties.

For a copy of the full job description for this position, please visit this link.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviours that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in-depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

Systems Thinking – Understands how payroll, benefits, time reporting, collective agreements, legislation, financial controls, employee records, and ASPS operational needs are connected, and considers impacts across employees, managers, Finance, Human Resources, and external agencies.

Drive for Results – Delivers accurate and timely payroll and benefits processing by managing deadlines, resolving discrepancies, completing reconciliations, supporting year-end reporting, and maintaining reliable records and procedures.

Develop Networks – Builds effective working relationships with employees, managers, Finance, Human Resources, benefit carriers, pension administrators, external agencies, and other partners to support payroll accuracy, timely issue resolution, and clear information sharing.

Agility – Adapts to changing payroll priorities, staffing changes, collective agreement requirements, policy updates, system processes, reporting deadlines and employee needs while maintaining accuracy, confidentiality, and service standards.

Creative Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves payroll, benefits, reconciliation, reporting and system-related issues by analyzing information, applying policy and legislative requirements, and recommending practical improvements to processes and procedures.

Build Collaborative Environments – Works collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to clarify payroll and benefits requirements, resolve concerns, support audits and reporting, and maintain a respectful, service-focused approach to employee inquiries.

Develop Self and Others – Maintains current knowledge of payroll legislation, benefits administration, pension and tax requirements, collective agreements, systems and ASPS procedures, and supports others by sharing accurate guidance and promoting consistent payroll practices.

Qualifications

University graduation in a related field plus three (3) years progressively responsible related experience.

Equivalency: Related diploma plus five (5) years directly related experience.

Assets:

• Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) Designation.
• Must have Canadian payroll experience, preferably experience with Alberta payroll and general ledger processes.
• Experience must include 5 years of experience with payroll ownership, control, reconciliation and year end reporting.
• Demonstrated experience independently processing end to end payroll, including payroll calculations and adjustments, payroll validation, statutory remittances, payroll and general ledger reconciliations, journal entries, records of employment, taxable benefits, pension and benefit reconciliations, and annual payroll year end including T4 preparation and reconciliation.
• Familiarity with computerized payroll systems (eg ADP Workforce Now, Dayforce, Powerpay, SAP WMS, SuccessFactors Employee Central or similar systems)Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Knowledge of payroll and human resource practices within a policing, law enforcement, public safety, or similarly regulated operational environment.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Notes

Please note there is one (1) permanent, full-time, in-person position available.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 36.25 hours per week.

Please note that a cover letter explaining how you meet the requirements and assets of the role is required.

Final candidates will be required to undergo security screening.

Valid Class 5 Alberta Driver's License or equivalent is required.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks, as noted or interview travel expenses will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what we have to offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information
• Professional learning and development
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance

How To Apply
Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies.
Candidates are required to apply for a job online. Please see Job Application Resources for information. 
In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. For example, January 2006 - June 2009 (part-time). This example is provided for illustrative purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to present their information clearly and thoroughly, using a format that best conveys their experience.
It is recommended applicants who have completed post-secondary studies from outside of Canada obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) or from a recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator; please visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada for more information.
It is recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application.

Closing Statement
This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.
We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.
If you require any further information on this job posting or require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact PSC.FTA@gov.ab.ca.