Payroll Accountant

Job Description
Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Accountant to own payroll-related journal entries, account reconciliations, and month/quarter/year-end close in a complex, multi-entity environment. The ideal candidate is hands-on in SAP (Payroll and FI/CO), highly proficient in Excel, and collaborates closely with Payroll Operations, HR, Benefits, FP&A, and Treasury to ensure GAAP-compliant financial reporting.

Key Responsibilities
• Prepare, review, and post recurring and non-recurring payroll journal entries (gross-to-net, employer taxes, benefits, garnishments, PTO/ARO accruals, intercompany payroll allocations) in SAP FI/CO.
• Own monthly payroll-related account reconciliations (clearing, suspense, payroll cash, tax payable, benefits, wage liability, accruals); research and resolve variances timely.
• Reconcile SAP Payroll results to the general ledger; validate payroll interfaces to FI/CO and banking; partner with Payroll Ops to address errors prior to close.
• Maintain standardized JE templates and reconciliation workpapers with clear audit trails; ensure documentation meets SOX/internal control requirements.
• Coordinate close calendar deliverables (M/E, Q/E, Y/E); prepare flux/variance analysis and supporting schedules for management and auditors.
• Calculate and record payroll accruals and reversals; evaluate materiality and propose adjusting entries as needed.
• Support external reporting and audits (financial statement, SOX, state/local payroll tax) with requested schedules and evidence.
• Collaborate cross-functionally on new programs (e.g., bonus plans, CBAs, benefit changes) to assess accounting impact and set up new GLs/mappings.
• Drive process and control improvements and refine mappings between SAP HCM Payroll and SAP FI/CO; contribute to UAT/regression testing for upgrades/patches.
• Develop and maintain desktop procedures (DTPs) and policy documentation for payroll accounting processes.

Requirements

Skills Required
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (Accounting preferred).
• 5+ years progressive accounting experience, including 3+ years in payroll accounting in a mid-to-large company.
• Hands-on experience with SAP - Payroll/HCM and FI/CO (posting, reconciliations, allocations, reporting).
• Advanced Excel (pivot tables, Power Query/Power Pivot, complex formulas, reconciliations, data validation).
• Solid working knowledge of US GAAP, especially accruals, compensation/benefits accounting, and intercompany.
• Exceptional attention to detail, organization, and ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced close cycle.
• Demonstrated collaboration and communication skills working cross-functionally with Payroll, HR, and Finance.

Preferred Skills
• CPA (active or in progress).
• Experience in union (CBA) environments and multiple pay frequencies.
• Experience with ADP or other outsourced payroll providers and related GL interfaces.
• Familiarity with internal controls/SOX and audit support.
• Experience with automation/analytics (Power BI, Alteryx, VBA, or similar).

Key Competencies
• Technical Accounting & GAAP Application
• SAP Expertise (Payroll schema → FI/CO postings, posting models, reconciliation reports)
• Analytical Problem Solving & Root-Cause Analysis
• Process Discipline & Documentation
• Communication & Cross-Functional Partnership
• Integrity, Confidentiality, and Judgment