Staff shuffle
Published 10:44 am Tuesday, September 13, 2016
WINTON – The pending retirement of Hertford County Local Government’s veteran Finance Officer will cause a staff restructuring in her department.
Robbin Stephenson has submitted her letter of retirement, saying her last day on the job will be Dec. 31.
Hertford County Manager Loria Williams noted that the Finance Office currently employs a staff of three full-time workers, to include Stephenson, and one part-timer.
“To better align the duties and responsibilities within the Finance Department, in accordance with governmental accounting standards, I am recommending a revision of the job descriptions of the three current full-time employees and requesting that the current part-time position be increased to full time,” Williams told the Board of Commissioners at their regularly scheduled meeting on Sept. 6.
The job descriptions revisions calls for a Director of Finance, a Staff Accountant, and an Accounts Payable/Receivable Specialist.
The Director, who answers directly to the County Manager, will perform complex professional and administrative work in planning, organizing and directing the financial activities of the county; does related work as required; and supervises all department personnel. The Director is also required to complete the UNC School of Government’s Finance Officer Certification Program.
The Staff Accountant performs difficult professional work in the maintenance and preparation of complex financial records.
The duties of the Accounts Payable/Receivable Specialist are intermediate accounting, processing of payables and receivables; prepares a variety of financial reports; and performs related work as required.
Williams said by moving the part-time employee to a full-time position, that individual will be 100 percent dedicated to payroll duties.
“What we’ve had in the past was a shared position when it comes to payroll,” Williams noted. “It needs to be a stand-alone position.”
Williams pointed out to the Commissioners that this particular position is currently budgeted at part-time. By moving it to full-time (for the remainder of the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2017) will cost approximately $26,046.
“With your approval, the job of Payroll Specialist will be included in next year’s budget as a full-time position with an annual salary of $33,288,” Williams told the Board.
Williams said the necessity of having a full-time Payroll Specialist is to ensure accuracy.
“Everyone wants their paycheck to be correct,” she stressed. “There’s a lot more to this position than meets the eye as that person will handle a full range of payroll functions, including reviewing timesheets, processing of payroll deductions, entering payroll data, and issuing payroll. They also have to keep close track on items such as wage garnishments, to include child support.”
The Commissioners first approved the revised job descriptions of the three current full-time positions, and then voted in favor of increasing the part-time position to full-time with the lone duties as Payroll Specialist.
In another matter regarding employment, the Commissioners approved to fill a vacant Specialist position in the Human Resources department at an annual salary of $38,170.