Job Description
Keystone is a premier economics, technology, and strategy consulting firm built to help companies lead through transformation. As breakthrough innovations reshape industries, redefine competition and change our society, complex and highly competitive ecosystems emerge. Keystone advises technology leaders, Fortune 100 companies, their legal counsel, and governments on business, economic, litigation, and regulatory strategy in relation to these innovations and competitive eco-systems. We operate globally from offices in New York City, Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, London, Dubai, and Washington, D.C.
We are growing quickly and looking for an exceptional Payroll Accountant to join our Finance team.
This is an exciting opportunity for a certified payroll profession (CPP) or someone who has an accounting background with payroll experience. This individual will have an opportunity to support the Senior Payroll Manager in the development of domestic and international payroll process, strengthen internal controls and ensure audit readiness as the company expands globally.
About the Payroll Accountant Role
The Payroll Accountant is responsible for managing and overseeing all payroll-related accounting functions to ensure employees are paid accurately and on time while maintaining compliance with federal, state, local, and payroll regulations. This role combines payroll processing, accounting, reconciliations, tax compliance, and employee support.
The Payroll Accountant works closely with Human Resources, Finance, and external payroll providers to maintain accurate payroll records and ensure seamless integration between payroll and accounting systems.
Key Responsibilities
- Process payroll for U.S. employees, including salary calculations, taxes, deductions, benefits, and net pay
- Ensure accurate employee compensation and timely payroll processing
- Maintain data integrity between Rippling (HRIS) and ADP Workforce Now
- Research and resolve payroll discrepancies involving taxes, deductions, benefits, and paid time off (PTO)
- Prepare payroll journal entries for each payroll cycle
- Prepare benefit-related journal entries as part of total employee compensation
- Record monthly accruals for:
- Vacation/Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Cash bonuses
- Profit sharing
- Other compensation-related liabilities
- Reconcile payroll-related balance sheet and expense accounts
- Prepare account reconciliations and financial reports related to payroll and benefits
- Manage wage and tax reconciliations for quarter-end and year-end
- Support year-end payroll activities, including W-2 preparation and validation
- Partner with HR and Benefits teams to resolve compensation and benefit-related issues
What You’ll Bring
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field
- 2+ years of payroll accounting or payroll administration experience
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
- Hands-on experience with ADP Workforce Now, NetSuite, and Rippling. Experience with other payroll, ERP, and HRIS systems ok
Preferred
- Experience processing multi-state U.S. payroll
- Strong knowledge of payroll accounting, accruals, reconciliations, and tax compliance
- Experience with year-end reporting and payroll tax filings
What Sets You Apart
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- High attention to detail and accuracy
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Ability to handle confidential information with discretion
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
Why Join Us
- Play a key role in a full-scale finance transformation
- Gain exposure to global expansion and complex accounting challenges
- Clear career progression opportunities for high performers
- Help build a modern, AI-enabled finance function
In addition to annual salary, we provide an annual discretionary bonus, 401k contribution, and competitive benefits package. Actual Compensation within the range will depend upon the level the individual is hired into based on their skills, experience, and qualifications.
At Keystone we believe diversity matters. At every level of our firm, we seek to advance and promote diversity, foster an inclusive culture, and ensure our colleagues have a deep sense of respect and belonging. If you are interested in growing your career with colleagues from varied backgrounds and cultures, consider Keystone.