Compensation & Benefits Accounting Manager

Overview

Compensation & Benefits Accounting Manager responsible for accounting for payroll, benefits, commissions/bonuses, payroll accruals, multi-state payroll tax compliance, and equity compensation across a growing group of entities.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $120,000-$130,000 + 10% Bonus Potential
• Employer-sponsored health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• 401(k) + 5% match

Responsibilities

Payroll Accounting

• Own payroll accounting across all entities, including payroll journal entries in NetSuite and reconciliation of all payroll liability accounts.
• Reconcile payroll provider registers to the GL and bank activity each pay cycle, and resolve variances with HR and Payroll.
• Review off-cycle payments, terminations, and retro adjustments for correct accounting treatment.

Benefits & 401(k)

• Account for employee benefits, including medical, dental, life, disability, HSA/FSA, and other plans; reconcile carrier invoices to enrollment and the GL.
• Manage 401(k) accounting: employee deferrals, employer match and safe-harbor contributions, true-ups, and timely remittance to the plan.
• Support annual 401(k) plan administration, including nondiscrimination testing data, Form 5500 support, and the employee benefit plan audit.

Commissions & Bonus Accounting

• Accrue and reconcile commissions and bonuses, including advisor and producer compensation, sales incentives, and discretionary and retention bonuses.
• Partner with HR, Sales, and Finance on plan design, payout calculations, and controls over incentive compensation.
• Apply ASC 340-40 to capitalize and amortize incremental costs of obtaining contracts, where applicable.

Payroll Accruals & Close

• Prepare month-end accruals for payroll, bonuses, commissions, PTO, payroll taxes, and benefits.
• Maintain close schedules and supporting documentation for all compensation-related balance sheet accounts.

Multi-State Payroll Tax Compliance

• Oversee federal, state, and local payroll tax compliance, including withholding, unemployment (SUI/FUTA), and quarterly and annual filings.
• Monitor state registration and nexus as employees work remotely across states, and resolve payroll tax notices.
• Review year-end W-2 reporting and reconcile it to payroll and the GL.

Equity Compensation Accounting

• Account for equity and equity-like awards under ASC 718, such as profits interests, incentive units, or phantom equity, including grant tracking, valuation inputs, expense recognition, and forfeitures.
• Maintain the equity award ledger, and partner with Legal, HR, and valuation advisors on new grants and plan changes.

Flux Analysis & Ad-Hoc Support

• Prepare monthly flux analysis on compensation and benefits expense and related balance sheet accounts, with clear explanations of the drivers.
• Support headcount and compensation cost reporting for budgeting, forecasting, and leadership.
• Handle ad-hoc analyses and projects, such as compensation plan modeling, benefits renewals, and audit and diligence requests.

Success Criteria (First Year)

• Payroll, benefits, and 401(k) accounts reconciled every month with no unexplained variances.
• Commission and bonus accruals land within an agreed tolerance of actual payouts.
• Every acquired firm’s employees move onto company payroll and benefits within the integration window.
• Payroll tax filings are on time in every state, and the 401(k) plan audit closes with no significant findings.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
• 5+ years of payroll, benefits, and compensation accounting experience, including multi-state payroll tax compliance.
• Hands-on experience with commission and bonus accruals, 401(k) accounting, and benefit plan audits.
• 3+ years of hands-on NetSuite experience, including payroll journal imports and reconciliations.
• Working knowledge of ASC 718 equity compensation accounting.
• Experience with at least one major payroll platform (ADP, Paylocity, Rippling, or similar).
• Advanced Excel skills and strong attention to detail with confidential data.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA or CPP (Certified Payroll Professional).
• Experience in financial services, wealth management/RIA, insurance brokerage, or professional services.
• Experience at a PE-backed or acquisitive company, including payroll and benefits integrations.
• Familiarity with ASC 340-40, ASC 805 compensation considerations, and profits interest or incentive unit plans.
• Experience with commission management tools and HRIS integrations.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States and able to provide proof of work authorization within three days of start date. The employer is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.