Payroll Accountant

Organization Overview: NLS provides free legal services to low-income individuals and people with disabilities in Western New York. Substantive practice areas include housing, public benefits, family, and disability law. An annual budget of over $16 million supports 100 staff working primarily among five offices in Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Lockport, and Batavia. NLS staff are supported by the Buffalo Office of Legal Service Workers (BOLSW) Union which covers the majority of staff including staff attorneys, staff paralegals, and support staff. Non-union staff include approximately 30 management and administrative personnel. NLS receives Federal, State, local and foundation support in the form of 30 grants, as well as earned income through attorney’s fees and charitable contributions.

Job Summary: The Payroll Accountant will be responsible for working in the accounting team on the management of all payroll functions. Functions of the role include, but may not be limited to, overseeing the payroll functions of the organization, ensuring pay is processed on time, accurately, and in compliance with government regulations. The Payroll Accountant will also be responsible for reimbursements to employees and disbursements to vendors, including, AP, rents, reimbursements, etc.. This role requires superior organizational skills, attention to detail and the ability to prioritize responsibilities to meet various concurrent deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Implements, maintains, and reviews payroll processing and accounting systems to ensure timely and accurate processing of payroll transactions including salaries, benefits, garnishments, taxes, and other deductions.
• Works closely with Human Resource staff to ensure accurate and timely processing of payroll updates including new hires, terminations, and changes to pay rates.
• Prepares and maintains accurate records and reports of payroll transactions.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, wage, and hour laws and best practices.
• Facilitates audits by providing records and documentation to auditors.
• Identifies and recommends updates to payroll accounting software, systems, and procedures.
• Responsible for Bi-weekly payroll processing including auditing timecards, hours and earnings reconciliation, review of quarterly and annual reporting, and other adhoc reporting as requested
• Prepare documentation for annual audit, including workpapers, and responses for funder audit requests.
• Process outgoing payments in compliance with financial policies and procedures
• Perform day to day financial transactions, including verifying, classifying, and recording accounts payable data
• Reconcile the accounts payable ledger to ensure that all bills and payments are accounted for and properly posted.
• Verify and investigate discrepancies, if any, by reconciling vendor accounts and monthly vendor statements
• Understands compliance issues around accounts payable processes (W-9, sales tax, etc.)
• Take on additional accounting duties, or other ad-hoc projects, as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelors’ degree in Accounting or related field
• Three or more years of experience processing payroll and in an accounting related field.
• Experience in non-profit preferred.