Payroll Manager

About Bernstein Management Corporation

Bernstein Management Corporation (BMC) has been a regional leader in real estate management for more than 70 years. BMC's investment affiliate is a fully discretionary, private real estate fund with assets valued at over $2.4 billion, low leverage and significant capacity to make additional investments. Focusing almost exclusively on the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, the portfolio currently includes 100+ investments representing over 5,800 residential units and 4.1 million square feet of commercial space including office, retail and industrial assets. BMC's team of over 250 industry experts manage the portfolio with a hands-on, vertically integrated approach. For more information, visit

The Payroll Manager will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of payroll operations for the company. This leadership role involves ensuring accurate and timely processing of employee pay, compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, and optimizing payroll systems and processes. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills, extensive payroll experience, and a keen understanding of payroll compliance, reporting, and technology solutions.

Essential Functions:

Payroll Management:

• Oversee the end-to-end payroll process for the organization, ensuring the accurate and timely processing of employee wages, bonuses, commissions, and deductions.
• Review and approve payroll reports, ensuring accuracy and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Ensure payroll data is accurate, including employee hours, pay rates, benefits, and tax withholdings.
• Prepare all payroll related journal entries.
• Quarterly reconciliation of the 941 taxes for the auditors.
• Annually prepare the Worker's Compensation audit.
• Partner with HR on the 401K True-up and the 5500 audit.

Compliance and Reporting:

• Ensure full compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll tax laws, including tax filings, audits, and reporting requirements.
• Work with HR and Finance teams to ensure proper compliance with labor laws, where applicable.
• Prepare and submit required payroll-related reports, including tax filings, garnishments, and retirement plan contributions.
• Oversee workers' compensation including audit preparation, coordination with insurance carriers, payroll data validation, and audit submissions.
• Ensure accurate classification of employees, wages, and job codes for workers' compensation reporting and compliance.
• Manage and administer company retirement programs, including payroll contributions, compliance testing coordination, reconciliations, and support for annual plan audits (e.g., 401(k),).
• Ensure timely and accurate remittance of retirement plan contributions in compliance with ERISA and Department of Labor requirements.
• Participate in 1-2 compensation surveys annually.
• Manage and track leaves of absence including state and federal programs (FMLA, DC Paid Family Leave), STD, PTO, and other appliable company leave offerings. Stop and reinstate PTO accruals based on leave.

System Optimization and Process Improvement:

• Evaluate and implement payroll systems and software to streamline operations, improve accuracy, and ensure data security.
• Identify areas for process improvements and lead initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce errors within the payroll function.

Cross-Departmental Collaboration:

• Work closely with HR, Finance, and IT teams to ensure seamless integration of payroll systems with other HR and finance systems.
• Partner with HR to ensure accurate employee records, compensation, and benefits information is integrated into the payroll system.
• Tag team with HR Manager on New Hire Orientation and Onboarding to include HRIS entries.

Employee Support and Communication :

• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee payroll-related inquiries, resolving any issues in a timely and professional manner.
• Educate employees on payroll policies, benefits, and deductions as needed.

Payroll Budgeting & Forecasting:

• Work with the Finance team to provide input into payroll budgeting, forecasts, and financial planning.
• Assume other duties as trained and qualified to do.

*Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, as described above.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong analytical skills, including data analysis.
• Excellent time management and written and oral communication skills.
• Adept at managing projects, prioritizing and knowing when (and how) to escalate issues.
• Professional presence, outstanding work ethic and a strong team player.
• Must have acute attention to detail with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Must be a strategic thinker and assertive in a fast paced, multi-entity environment.
• Must effectively interact with senior management at all levels and across all lines of business.
• Must multitask and follow through while ensuring deadlines and deliverables are met.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience.
• Extensive knowledge of payroll systems and software.
• Deep understanding of federal, state, and local payroll tax laws and regulations.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, etc.) and other relevant software.

Preferences:

• Nexus, Yardi or iSolved experience preferred.

BMC's People First Commitment

At BMC, we know that work/life balance is not just important, it's necessary. As a member of our team, your experience will be valued, and your hard work will be rewarded with a generous benefits package including paid time off, medical plan options, 401K match up to 5% with immediate vesting, rent discount at BMC properties, paid volunteer leave, gym membership contributions, and company-wide social outings.

The market-based pay range for this role is $95,000-$125,000 annually (plus additional bonus incentives). The final salary offered will generally fall within this range and is dependent on various factors including but not limited to the responsibilities of the position, experience, skill set, internal pay equity and other relevant qualifications of the applicant. For a summary of BMC's employment benefit offerings, please visit

Bernstein Management is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected class, in accordance with applicable law.