Payroll Accountant
Job Description
Job Summary:
The Payroll Accountant is responsible for the accurate recording and reporting of all payroll-related financial activity. This role sits at the intersection of Payroll and Accounting, ensuring payroll costs are properly reflected in the general ledger and that monthly accruals are calculated and recorded in a timely manner.
Key Responsibilities:
Review and validate payroll data received from the Payroll team to ensure accuracy prior to accounting entries
Maintain a strong working knowledge of GL codes and chart of accounts as they relate to payroll and compensation
Prepare and post payroll journal entries to the general ledger on a per-pay-period basis
Calculate and record monthly accruals, including:
-PTO/vacation accruals
-Bonus accruals
-Employee benefits accruals (health, dental, vision, retirement, etc.)
Reconcile payroll-related general ledger accounts on a monthly basis
Assist with month-end and year-end close processes
Partner with HR and Payroll teams to ensure benefit deductions and compensation changes are accurately reflected in the ledger
Prepare payroll-related financial reports and variance analyses for management
Support internal and external audits by providing documentation and reconciliations
Identify and recommend process improvements to enhance accuracy and efficiency
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
4+ years of accounting experience; exposure to payroll accounting or compensation accounting preferred
Solid understanding of general ledger structure, journal entries, and month-end close processes
Familiarity with payroll concepts, terminology, and payroll systems (e.g., ADP, Workday, Paylocity)
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel; experience with ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Oracle) a plus
Strong analytical and reconciliation skills
High attention to detail and ability to meet recurring deadlines
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion