Director, Payroll Services

Austin Peay State University
Austin Peay State University

Accounting & Finance · Full-time

Clarksville, TN, USA

Posted on Oct 1, 2026

The Director of Payroll Services oversees the daily operations of the Payroll Services Department. Responsible for payroll reporting, including taxes, journal entries, and disbursement of payroll-related deductions, as well as projects as they arise; works with AP, Accounting, HR, and other departments to maintain financial records.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Lead the development and administration of programs, procedures, and guidelines to help align the department with the strategic goals of the university.
  • Participate with payroll staff in developing department goals, objectives, and systems.
  • Oversee and review the accuracy of all payrolls, along with tax reporting and processing, including but not limited to: 941, 943, 940, State UI, 1042, and W-2s.
  • Responsible for reconciling monthly billings, liability accounts, and clearing accounts.
  • Completes month-end processes and payments to vendors.
  • Prepares year-end financial entries and assists with any financial reporting for the payroll process.
  • Assists IT and HR with development of reports to help with analysis of data.
  • Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Ability to maintain knowledge of all state and federal laws related to payroll issues.
  • Ability to maintain knowledge of IRS regulations.
  • Ability to effectively coordinate and use complex automated payroll/personnel systems.
  • Ability to evaluate FLSA requirements, rules and regulations.
  • -Ability to efficiently use a personal computer and associated software (Excel, Microsoft Office, Access) and 10-key calculator.
  • Ability to perform complex mathematical calculations accurately.
  • Ability to communicate effectively by expressing ideas clearly and concisely.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality.
  • Ability to interact in an effective and appropriate manner with diverse populations, the University community and the public.
  • Ability to supervise personnel and complete all associated personnel actions in a timely and accurate manner.
  • Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records and reports.

Required Minimum Qualifications

  • B.S. Degree in Accounting or a related field.
  • Minimum of five (5) years of previous experience in payroll administration.
  • A minimum of two (2) years of supervisory experience.
  • Previous experience balancing and preparing W-2’s, quarterly tax reporting, and year-end processing.
  • A background and credit check will be required of the successful applicant.

Physical Requirements

  • Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

Austin Peay State University is a four-year public, doctoral-level university, with six colleges and four Chairs of Excellence. The University has an enrollment of over 11,000 students and is located in Clarksville, Tennessee, a community of an estimated 150,287 people located approximately 40 miles northwest of Nashville, TN.

Austin Peay State University is a proud supporter of hiring veterans. We hire veterans with equivalent experiences and pay grades from their military service, rather than requiring or preferring only college degrees. Please visit our website for more information on how veterans can qualify for additional employment opportunities at APSU: https://www.apsu.edu/human-resources/hiring-veterans/.

Austin Peay State University (APSU) prohibits discrimination in all employment, programs, and activities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), disability, age, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. For Title IX inquiries or complaints, contact: Chief of Institutional Culture & Title IX Coordinator, LaNeeça R. Williams at williamslr@apsu.edu | 931-221-7690, Browning Building, Room 140, Clarksville, TN 37044. For other non-discrimination concerns, contact: Director of Institutional Culture & Title VI & Title VII Coordinator, Dr. Jo Baldwin at baldwinjapsu.edu | 931-221-7178 or Associate Director of Accessibility Compliance & ADA/504 Coordinator, Jayme Glover at gloverj@apsu.edu | 931-221-7160. View APSU’s full nondiscrimination policy at Policy 6:001.


The Director of Payroll Services oversees the daily operations of the Payroll Services Department. Responsible for payroll reporting including taxes, journal entries, disbursement of payroll-related deductions, as well as projects as they arise; works with AP, Accounting, HR and other departments to maintain financial records.