Payroll and Benefits Accountant

Description

JOB OVERVIEW                                                                                                        

The Payroll & Benefits Accountant is responsible for processing payroll and handling assigned payroll-related functions to ensure accuracy, compliance, and proper financial reporting. Reporting to the CFO, this role works closely with HR and other organizational leaders on timecard reporting, benefits deductions, new hire onboarding, and terminations to ensure accurate payroll processing. This position also serves as a subject-matter expert on payroll compliance, ensuring adherence to all relevant regulations and company policies.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Accurately process bi-weekly payroll, ensuring timely and correct payment of wages, bonuses, taxes and deductions. This includes processing all payroll transactions related to new hires, terminations, and employee information changes in a timely and accurate manner.
• Address and resolve payroll-related inquiries from employees and management.
• Reconcile invoices and deductions for employee benefits, calculating benefit premiums owed or due, entering adjustments in Paycom as applicable, and coordinating the transfer of data to external contacts for services, premiums and plan administration.
• Calculate and maintain taxable Group Term Life (GTL) fringe benefits.
• Review and approve temporary agency invoices, ensuring proper coding to the general ledger.
• Calculate, compile and submit payroll-related reports, including monthly retirement contributions, quarterly NIB reports, annual workers compensation audits, PCORI fees, 5500s and associated SARs.
• Ensure compliance with payroll-related federal, state, and local employment laws, including but not limited to reporting requirements such as 941s, unemployment contributions, tax withholdings, W-2s,1099s, and the maintenance of other payroll-related records.
• Prepare journal entries and reconcile month-end payroll records, ensuring accuracy between payroll, benefits and the general ledger.
• Manage the flow and maintenance of employee data between payroll, HR, and accounting systems while documenting and maintaining administrative procedures for assigned processes.
• Generate and analyze payroll reports to identify trends, discrepancies, and opportunities for process improvement.
• Identify and troubleshoot payroll-related issues that require expert knowledge, escalating to the appropriate expert as needed.
• Ensure payroll system updates and integrations function correctly, collaborating with HR, IT and vendors as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including processing incoming donations.

Qualifications

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Accounting, Human Resources or related field
• 3 years of payroll processing and payroll accounting experience
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification preferred
• Strong knowledge payroll laws, tax regulations, and benefits reconciliation
• Proficiency with payroll systems (Paycom preferred) and accounting systems (Business Central preferred)
• Advanced Excel skills (VLOOKUP’s, SUMIF’s, and data analysis)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
• Ability to work independently, adjust priorities, and manage multiple deadlines
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills