Payroll and Accounting Specialist

 PAYROLL AND ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST 

Short description

The responsibility of this position is managing specialized work efficiently, with confidence and competence. The position requires above average attention to details, concern for the exact correctness of work, and strong commitment to tasks completed on time. The person in this position is disciplined while coordinating a variety of tasks and deadlines. A somewhat faster-than-average pace will be the norm for this position. Detailed, specialized work is the major focus of this role.

Department: Finance, reporting to Controller

Position Type: Full Time, On Site

Hourly or Salary: Salary

Salary Range: $50,000 to $60,000

Overview

This position is responsible for managing and analyzing both payroll information and processes, as well as analyzing broader financial information: the payroll function, including processing biweekly payroll for a staff of approximately 375 individuals and ensuring the accuracy of payroll and payroll-associated compensation and payments; providing biweekly, monthly, and ad hoc payroll-related reports for compliance and strategic-related items; and overseeing quarterly and annual payroll functions, such as W-2 distribution.  This position also will have responsibilities relating to finance and accounting functions such as accounts payable and compliance.  This position works closely with both the finance team and the human resources department to ensure accuracy and deliver a high-level of customer service. 

Responsibilities:

Payroll

• Works collaboratively with HR to ensure all necessary information is completed and received in a timely manner to be processed on the appropriate payroll cycle.

• Works with managers and staff to review timesheets for accuracy and payroll readiness.  

• Audits payroll information to verify accuracy of withholdings and coding.  

• Runs audit and related reports audit review in a timely manner.  

• Processes payroll bi-weekly.

• Creates transfer information and funding for retirement contributions.

• Assists employees with all paycheck and timekeeping inquiries.  

• Handles all year-end balancing and verification for distribution of W2’s.

• Participates in annual audit preparation for 401(k), Pension and Worker’s Compensation, providing information and backup as required.

• Responsible for payroll-related files and manages related document retention policy.

• Creates standard and ad hoc reporting related to payroll for departmental, organizational, and Board-level use.

• Other duties may be assigned

Accounting and Finance

• Assists with administrative and reporting duties within accounts payable, procurement, financial analysis, and accounts receivable.

• Collects and verifies W-9 from vendors and creates and distributes 1099s for vendors at year end.

• Verifies the timely receipt of certificates of insurance from vendors.

• Oversees certain monthly processes, including credit card reconciliation and reconciliation with other vendor credit accounts.

• Ensures compliance with organizational practices related to credit card and vendor credit utilization.

• Assists with the monthly reconciliation of payments and receivables related to events and similar contracts and helps manage the collections process.

• Creates and maintains reports related to procurement, payables, and receivables under the direction of the Controller.

• Assists with the validation of various financial reports.

• Other duties may be assigned.

Required Skills

• Must be able to maintain absolute confidentiality, be adaptable to various competing demands, and demonstrate the highest level of service and response.

• Strong organizational skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail.

• Strong interpersonal skills, both in person and on the phone, and ability to work well in a team-based environment.

• Solid analytical capabilities and keen organizational skills.

• Computer proficiency required, with experience in all Microsoft Office products, including Excel.  Payroll system experience with knowledge of basic accounting principles and payroll related tax returns. 

• Demonstrated proactive approaches to problem-solving with strong decision-making capability.

• Highly resourceful team-player, with the ability to be extremely effective independently

• Forward looking thinker, who actively seeks opportunities and proposes solutions

Educations and/or Experience

• 5 years of related, similar payroll experience.

• Proven ability to accurately process a high-volume of work in an independent setting.

• The ability to communicate orally and through applications, such as Microsoft Office products

• Experience with UltiPro a plus.

• Experience with accounting software is a plus.

The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, experience, and/or ability required to be successful in the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands of Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of that that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands: While performing the duties of this hob, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/ or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color, vision peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the position. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Salary : $50,000 - $60,000