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