Payroll Accountant

About the position

The Payroll Accountant serves as a critical link between Human Resources and Accounting, ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of payroll-related financial data. This role is responsible for recording, reconciling, and reporting payroll activity within the General Ledger while maintaining strong internal controls and supporting financial reporting requirements. Acting as a bridge between detailed payroll data and the organization’s financial statements, the Payroll Accountant ensures that wages, taxes, deductions, and employer-paid benefits are accurately reflected in financial records.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and record payroll-related journal entries, including wages, taxes, and benefits
• Ensure accurate and timely posting of payroll activity to the General Ledger
• Support monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes
• Analyze payroll-related expenses and variances
• Perform reconciliations of payroll-related accounts (tax liabilities, clearing accounts, benefits)
• Ensure alignment between payroll reports, third-party data, and financial records
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies
• Maintain accurate supporting documentation
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations
• Review payroll tax reporting and liabilities for accuracy
• Prepare audit schedules and supporting documentation
• Support internal and external audit processes
• Maintain strong internal controls over payroll-related accounting processes
• Ensure appropriate segregation of duties and confidentiality
• Review payroll outputs for financial accuracy prior to posting
• Identify and mitigate financial and compliance risks
• Partner with HR and Payroll Operations to ensure accurate data flow
• Identify opportunities for automation and process improvements
• Support system implementations and enhancements

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field required
• Minimum of five years of payroll accounting or general ledger accounting experience
• Strong understanding of payroll accounting, journal entries, and reconciliations
• Knowledge of payroll tax regulations and financial reporting impact
• Advanced Excel and ERP/payroll system experience
• High attention to detail and analytical capability
• Ability to manage confidential data with discretion

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in multi-entity or multi-state environments preferred