Payroll & Accounts Payable Specialist

Job Description

Watchtower Security is the nation's leading provider of all-inclusive, fully managed video surveillance solutions, exclusively dedicated to the multifamily housing industry. For over two decades, we have partnered with property management groups across the nation, empowering them to enhance safety, deter crime, and provide peace of mind to their communities.

As a rapidly growing and dynamic organization, we pride ourselves on a fast-paced, collaborative environment where innovation, critical thinking, and a commitment to excellence drive our success. We are seeking passionate individuals eager to contribute to a team that values strong communication, attention to detail, and a shared dedication to making a tangible difference in community security.

The Payroll & Accounts Payable Specialist supports the Finance function through a balanced role focused equally on payroll and accounts payable responsibilities. The position owns the bi-weekly payroll process for exempt and non-exempt employees and performs core accounts payable activities, including invoice processing, vendor payments, reconciliations, and related month-end support. This role reports directly to the Controller and collaborates with the Accounts Payable Manager, Human Resources, employees, vendors, and internal department leaders. The Specialist is responsible for accurate, timely, and confidential processing while maintaining compliance with company policies, approval requirements, internal controls, and applicable payroll requirements. Success in the role requires strong attention to detail, sound judgment, problem-solving skills, and a continuous-improvement mindset across payroll and accounts payable processes.

Essential Job Functions:

• Payroll Operations (50%)
  • Process bi-weekly payroll for all exempt and non-exempt employees.
  • Review employee timecards for completeness and accuracy prior to payroll processing.
  • Process and manage payroll adjustments, garnishments, benefits deductions, and tax levies.
  • Process commissions and bonus payments, including accurate regular-rate-of-pay overtime calculations for non-exempt employees.
  • Coordinate with Human Resources regarding new hires, terminations, and other employee changes affecting payroll.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for employee payroll inquiries and resolve payroll issues with discretion, timeliness, and professionalism.
  • Maintain state and local payroll compliance related to tax withholdings, state-specific sick leave requirements, and final paycheck laws.

• Accounts Payable (50%)
  • Process accounts payable transactions by receiving, coding, and routing vendor invoices for internal approval.
  • Execute weekly and bi-weekly vendor payment runs via ACH, wire, and check.
  • Match purchase orders to invoices and resolve discrepancies with vendors or internal department heads.
  • Maintain accurate vendor files, collect W-9 forms for new vendors, and assist with annual 1099 reporting.
  • Reconcile the accounts payable aging report and assist with month-end close activities related to accounts payable.
  • Support corporate credit card and employee expense processes, as needed.

• Finance Support & Process Improvement
  • Identify opportunities to simplify processes, reduce manual effort, strengthen controls, and improve accuracy.
  • Support month-end close accounting entries related to payroll and accounts payable.
  • Ensure payroll and accounts payable transactions are processed in accordance with company policy, approval requirements, and internal controls.
  • Participate in system enhancements and other process improvement initiatives.
  • Assist with annual audit requests.
  • Cross-train on related finance functions and provide backup support, as needed.
  • Maintain accurate, organized, and well-supported payroll and accounts payable records.
  • Build effective working relationships with Finance, Human Resources, operational teams, employees, and vendors.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Education & Experience
  • Associate or bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will also be considered.
  • 2-5+ years of hands-on payroll processing experience required, including experience processing multi-state payroll.

• Technical & Functional Skills
  • Ability to handle employee salary and payroll information with discretion and complete confidentiality.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and/or Google Sheets.
  • Working knowledge of basic accounting principles.

• Preferred Experience
  • Experience with Rippling, QuickBooks, and Bill.com is a plus.
  • Experience working in a construction, service, or project-based business is a plus.
  • Experience with travel and expense management or electronic payment platforms is a plus.

• What Success Looks Like
  • Take ownership of the payroll process from start to finish and collaborate on initiatives with accounts payable team.
  • Consistently meet recurring payroll, payment, and month-end accounting deadlines.
  • Proactively identify and resolve discrepancies, before they become larger issues.
  • Build strong relationships with finance, HR, operational teams, employees, and vendors.
  • Maintain accurate, organized, and well-supported financial records.
  • Continuously seek opportunities to simplify and improve processes.
  • Adapt and contribute in a collaborative, fast-growing environment.