Overview
Senior Payroll Accountant | Remote
This role serves as the key link between payroll and accounting—ensuring payroll transactions are accurately recorded in the general ledger and that payroll-related accounts are reconciled each pay period and through the month-end close process.
Responsibilities
- Prepare and post payroll-related journal entries, including wages, taxes, benefits, garnishments, and accrued payroll liabilities.
- Reconcile payroll-related general ledger accounts, including payroll clearing, accrued PTO, employer tax liabilities, benefits payable, retirement withholdings, and intercompany allocations.
- Partner with Payroll and Finance to resolve discrepancies between payroll system output and general ledger postings.
- Review payroll register data prior to posting to ensure accuracy of coding by department and cost center.
- Support month-end and year-end close activities, including payroll accruals for unpaid wages and bonuses.
- Assist with W-2 reconciliations, payroll tax filings, state withholding and unemployment notices, 1099 reporting, census filings, and payroll-related audits.
- Prepare documentation and supporting schedules for financial, workers’ compensation, and 401(k) audits.
- Maintain documentation and internal controls related to payroll accounting processes.
- Establish and maintain state registrations for withholding, unemployment, and local payroll taxes.
- Research and resolve variances between payroll reports and financial statements.
- Collaborate with HR and Payroll on new earnings codes, benefit changes, system updates, and general ledger mapping.
- Track and manage state unclaimed property reporting.
- Create new general ledger mappings and system configurations to support acquisitions.
- Prepare ad hoc financial reporting and labor cost analysis for Finance leadership.
- Participate in payroll accounting projects and continuous process improvements.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- Five to ten years of accounting experience with direct payroll accounting, reconciliations, and payroll tax preparation.
- Experience working with payroll systems, preferably ADP Workforce Now, and ERP/general ledger systems.
- Strong understanding of debits, credits, accrual accounting, and general ledger reconciliations.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
- Exceptional attention to detail, with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy.
Preferred Qualifications
- CPA designation or progress toward CPA certification.
Compensation & Benefits
Not specified.
Location
Fully remote.
Physical Requirements
- Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer.
- Ability to lift up to 15 pounds occasionally.