The Payroll Accountant is responsible for ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing across multiple entities, departments, and programs. This role supports payroll accounting functions including reconciliations, journal entries, balance sheet integrity, payroll allocations, and compliance reporting.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, analytical, and experienced in both payroll processing and accounting functions within a multi-entity environment. This individual will collaborate cross-functionally with HR, operations, and finance teams to ensure payroll accuracy and proper labor cost allocation while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Key Responsibilities

• Process and review payroll to ensure accurate and timely employee compensation in compliance with company policies and applicable federal, state, and local laws.
• Maintain current knowledge of payroll regulations, tax requirements, and legislative updates impacting payroll operations.
• Perform monthly payroll reconciliations including wages, payroll taxes, benefits, deductions, and related payroll accounts.
• Reconcile payroll-related balance sheet accounts and research discrepancies to ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Prepare and post payroll journal entries, accruals, and adjustments in the general ledger.
• Manage payroll allocations and rebilling across multiple entities, departments, properties, and funding sources.
• Partner with Human Resources and department leaders to validate employee data, classifications, pay changes, and labor distributions.
• Analyze payroll variances and provide reporting and explanations to management as needed.
• Support month-end and year-end close processes related to payroll accounting.
• Ensure compliance with payroll tax filings, reporting requirements, garnishments, and other regulatory obligations.
• Assist with internal and external audits by preparing payroll schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
• Support annual Workers’ Compensation audits and reporting requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls, and efficiencies.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of payroll processing and accounting experience.
• Strong understanding of payroll accounting, accruals, reconciliations, and general ledger processes.
• Experience working in multi-entity or multi-department environments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and payroll/accounting systems.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.