Overview
An organization is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to oversee the accounting aspects of payroll operations, ensuring accurate and timely payment to approximately 300 employees across 30 states. This role reports to the Controller and collaborates closely with the People team to maintain financial rigor in payroll processing, account reconciliation, and month-end and year-end closing activities.
Responsibilities
- Manage end-to-end payroll processing for exempt and non-exempt employees using Rippling, including onboarding, variable compensation (commissions/bonuses), and offboarding
- Prepare payroll journal entries in NetSuite and resolve discrepancies between payroll and the general ledger
- Perform monthly, quarterly, and year-end reconciliations of payroll accounts, including wages, taxes, benefits, 401(k), and other payroll liabilities and expenses
- Support month-end and quarter-end close by preparing payroll accruals (bonus, commissions, PTO, payroll taxes) and conducting variance analysis
- Reconcile payroll tax filings to the general ledger, address tax notices and discrepancies, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage-and-hour laws, payroll tax obligations, and year-end filings such as W-2s and 1099s
- Design, document, and maintain payroll processes and internal controls, including segregation of duties for preparer and reviewer
- Register the organization with state employment agencies and act as liaison for audits and inquiries from tax agencies, unemployment agencies, and 401(k) administrators
- Prepare payroll schedules and documentation for external audits, including year-end financial statement and 401(k) audits
- Serve as the primary contact for payroll-related questions and issue resolution for employees and managers
- Identify and implement automation and process improvements to streamline payroll and payroll accounting functions
Requirements
- Minimum 5 years of payroll experience with strong payroll accounting and general ledger reconciliation skills
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field, or equivalent experience
- Solid understanding of U.S. GAAP, payroll tax regulations (federal, state, and local), and multi-state payroll compliance
- Hands-on experience with HRIS/payroll systems and accounting/ERP systems such as NetSuite
- Advanced skills in Excel or Google Sheets, comfortable working with large datasets from multiple sources
- Exceptional attention to detail and strict confidentiality when handling sensitive employee, compensation, and financial data
- Strong verbal and written communication skills; effective collaborator with employees, managers, auditors, and external vendors
- Ability to work independently, take ownership, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, rapidly growing environment
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in a fast-paced, high-growth company
- Hands-on experience with Rippling and/or NetSuite
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification, CPA, or progress toward CPA
- Experience supporting external and 401(k) audits
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary range: $100,000 - $110,000, based on experience, skills, location, and other factors
- Meaningful equity package
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Work-from-home stipend
- Parental leave
- Generous paid time off
Location
This role supports employees across approximately 30 states in the U.S. and requires compliance with multi-state payroll regulations.