Payroll Administrator Helps Employees Answer Tax Questions

A: I was hired June 2003 as a payroll coordinator.

Q: What is the purpose of the Payroll Office and where are you located?

A: We direct the timely and accurate payment and labor distribution for faculty, staff and students. The Payroll Office is located in the Office of Human Resources on College Street.

Q: Who do you work with in the Payroll Services Office?

A: Katy Wichlac is the payroll manager and Gladys Fountain is the other payroll administrator. The Payroll Department is now considered part of Human Resources and we are looking forward to the experience.

Q: What are typical questions people have when they visit you?

A: Individuals come in to complete tax forms, direct deposits, I-9’s and other necessary forms.

Q: How do you spend most of your time during a day?

A: I would say meeting with people, working on a computer and talking on the phone are equally the same.

Q: What is your background in payroll? Have you worked at other businesses/schools in this type of field?

A: My previous experience was gained while I worked at Aetna Insurance Company in the Payroll Department.

Q: You are a “NRA compliance specialist.” What does this mean?

A: The Payroll Department recently became responsible for ensuring that students and staff that are considered non-resident aliens for tax purposes are informed of their tax status while working at Wesleyan.

Q: Are there certain times of the year that are more stressful than the others?

A: The beginning of the academic year is a very busy time because we are directly involved with the incoming class. Arrival Day is just the beginning of our busy time. Another busy time for us is at the end of the year when we have year end for W2 purposes.

Q: When a new full-time employee starts working at Wesleyan, what is the procedure to get him or her a paycheck? Do you meet with the new employees directly?

A: Our office is responsible for the function of transmitting the Payroll, however Human Resources meets the individuals and gets the process started.

Q: What are the different options employees have to get paid?

A: Wesleyan has three pay frequencies weekly, semi-monthly and monthly, how individuals get paid is based on the job. We currently offer direct deposit to all employees. If you don’t elect direct deposit you will receive a check. We are excited about IPAY as it allows employees to view their pay statements and W2s online. All the employee has to do is access IPAY via their portfolio, and upon enrolling an email should be sent to payroll@wesleyan.edu requesting that your pay statement be stopped. This saves Wesleyan money on postage but it also saves trees.

Q: Is it true all undergraduate student time reporting is done online now?

A: Yes, the time is reported via student time entry which allows departments to report accurately and efficiently.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your job in the Payroll Office?

A: It allows me to provide excellent customer service which I believe is key to any successful organization. The students and employees at Wesleyan are some of the nicest people I have encountered in my career.

Q: Do you like math?

A: I’m very comfortable with math and numbers don’t bother me.

Q: What are your hobbies outside of work?

A: I love to read during any free time. If I decided to seek out a second career, it would be in interior design. I could watch Home and Garden TV all day.

Q: Tell me about your family.

A: I have been married for 10 years to my husband Michael and I have a daughter named Vanessa who is 8 and a son named Luke who is 5. Our dog Tobey is a Yorkie and he is 3 years old.

Q: What saying best describes you?