The Payroll Accountant is responsible for managing and overseeing the company’s payroll accounting functions while ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing, reconciliation, and financial reporting. This role works closely with Human Resources, Finance, and employees to maintain accurate payroll records, resolve discrepancies, and ensure compliance with applicable payroll regulations and company policies.
Key Responsibilities
- Process and review payroll for hourly and salaried employees, ensuring accurate and timely payments.
- Review employee timekeeping, attendance, deductions, bonuses, commissions, and other payroll-related information.
- Prepare and post payroll journal entries and ensure payroll expenses are accurately recorded in the general ledger.
- Reconcile payroll accounts, payroll liabilities, and related balance sheet accounts on a regular basis.
- Research and resolve payroll discrepancies, including wage, tax, deduction, and employee record issues.
- Prepare payroll-related reports, reconciliations, and schedules for management and accounting purposes.
- Maintain accurate payroll records and ensure appropriate documentation is retained.
- Calculate and process payroll-related accruals, including PTO, bonuses, commissions, and other compensation.
- Assist with month-end and year-end close activities related to payroll and employee expenses.
- Reconcile payroll tax filings, payments, and related accounts.
- Support the preparation of W-2s, 1099s, and other year-end payroll reporting.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax requirements and wage regulations.
- Work with HR to ensure employee changes, new hires, terminations, benefits, deductions, and compensation updates are accurately reflected in payroll.
- Assist with internal and external audits by providing payroll documentation and supporting schedules.
- Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls, and reporting.
- Maintain confidentiality of sensitive employee and payroll information.
- Perform other accounting and payroll-related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field preferred.
- 3+ years of payroll and accounting experience.
- Strong understanding of payroll accounting, general ledger processes, and account reconciliations.
- Experience with payroll processing and payroll tax requirements.
- Working knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including formulas, pivot tables, and data analysis.
- Experience with an ERP, accounting system, and/or payroll software.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive employee information.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with employees and cross-functional teams.