Payroll Accounting Manager

Title: Payroll Accounting Manager

Company: Heven AeroTech

Location: Sterling, Virginia

FLSA: Exempt

About Our Company:

At Heven AeroTech (Heven), we don’t just believe in the power of people—we build our success on it. As a recognized leader in hydrogen-powered drones, we’ve earned recognition for creating a workplace where innovation thrives, collaboration is second nature, and every employee feels valued. Our culture is anchored in trust and a shared commitment to excellence.

We believe great teams are built on individuals who are humble, hungry, and smart —those who put team success first, take initiative to continuously improve, and demonstrate strong interpersonal awareness. At Heven, your voice matters, your ideas are heard, and your contributions make a tangible impact as you grow through hands-on experience and collaboration across the team.

Role Summary:

We're looking for a hands-on Payroll Accounting Manager to own end-to-end payroll operations and build the processes that scale with us. The Payroll Accounting Manager is responsible for the accurate and compliant processing of payroll across multiple legal entities and states. This role sits at the intersection of payroll operations, cost accounting, and government contract compliance, requiring deep familiarity with DCAA audit standards, FAR cost principles, and multi-jurisdictional payroll regulations. The manager will own payroll ledger integrity, labor distribution, and related internal controls while serving as the primary point of contact for payroll-related inquiries from program managers, HR, and government auditors.

Essential Responsibilities:

Own the full payroll cycle (semi-monthly) for a growing workforce in a multi-company, multi-state environment, ensuring accuracy and on-time delivery

Ensure payroll processes comply with DCAA audit standards, including timekeeping controls, labor floor checks, and floor check readiness.

Maintain and enforce a DCAA-compliant timekeeping policy; coordinate with employees and supervisors to resolve timesheet discrepancies.

Maintain payroll accounting records and reconcile payroll accounts to the general ledger each period

Ensure compliance with payroll tax obligations across all active state and local jurisdictions, including withholding, SUI, SDI, and local taxes.

Manage state registrations for new hiring jurisdictions; coordinate with in-house counsel or payroll provider as needed.

Oversee workers’ compensation reporting and reconciliation across all entities and states.

Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations; manage filings, deposits, and year-end W-2/1099 processing

Coordinate with the Controller on payroll-related audit support, including workers’ comp audits, 401(k) audits, and year-end W-2 reconciliation.

Identify and implement process improvements and automation opportunities in payroll systems

Develop and document payroll policies, controls, and SOPs as the company scales

Support month-end and year-end close with payroll-related journal entries and accruals

Qualifications Experience:

Required:

6+ years of payroll and payroll accounting experience, including 1–2+ years in a lead or supervisory role

Strong understanding of US payroll regulations, multi-state compliance, and payroll tax (international experience a plus)

Proficiency with payroll software; comfort learning new systems quickly

Solid grasp of accounting fundamentals — journal entries, reconciliations, and GL

CPA or CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) designation a plus, not required

Meticulous attention to detail with a track record of process ownership in a fast-paced environment

Clear communicator who can translate payroll complexity for employees and cross-functional partners

Preferred:

Experience supporting payroll through a period of rapid headcount growth or a system migration

Familiarity with DCAA’s Incurred Cost Electronically Submission model and indirect rate structures.

Familiarity with equity compensation and related payroll treatment

Experience at a venture-backed or high-growth tech company

Physical Requirements:

Ability to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for extended periods while performing computer-based work.

Frequent use of a computer, keyboard, mouse, and telephone for prolonged periods.

Ability to review, analyze, and interpret detailed financial, payroll, and compliance-related documents and reports.

Ability to communicate effectively with employees, managers, auditors, government representatives, and external service providers via phone, video conference, and in person.

Ability to occasionally move throughout an office environment to attend meetings, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and access files or equipment.

Ability to occasionally lift and carry files, records, or office materials weighing up to 15 pounds.

Ability to maintain concentration and accuracy while managing multiple deadlines, reviewing detail…