Payroll & Commissions Accountant

Payroll & Commissions Accountant

Power/mation in Saint Paul, Minnesota is seeking a Payroll & Commissions Accountant to take ownership of our payroll and commission processes while supporting key accounting, audit, and financial reporting activities.

In this role, you'll serve as the primary resource for payroll administration, sales commission processing, payroll tax compliance, and related accounting functions. You'll work closely with employees, sales representatives, leadership, auditors, and external partners to ensure accuracy & compliance while providing exceptional service.

Payroll Administration

• Process accurate and timely multi-state bi-weekly payroll through ADP Workforce Now.
• Maintain employee payroll records and payroll system data.
• Process payroll-related funding activities, including 401(k), HSA, profit-sharing, and other benefit contributions.
• Prepare and file federal, state, and local payroll tax filings and unemployment reports.
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries and resolve payroll-related issues.

Commissions Administration

• Calculate, prepare, and distribute sales commission statements and payments.
• Allocate commissions and prepare supporting schedules and adjustments.
• Prepare commission expense schedules and reconcile commission-related transactions.
• Serve as a resource for commission inquiries from sales representatives and internal stakeholders.

Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Prepare recurring journal entries, including payroll accruals, PTO accruals, benefit allocations, operating deposits, and petty cash entries.
• Complete account reconciliations and perform analysis as needed.
• Assist with month-end and year-end close activities.
• Generate payroll, commission, and accounting reports for management.
• Support budgeting activities, special projects, and other accounting initiatives.

Audit & Compliance

• Lead preparation of year-end payroll and accounting audit workpapers.
• Serve as the primary coordinator for the annual 401(k) audit.
• Research and resolve payroll, commission, and accounting discrepancies.
• Support process improvements related to payroll, reporting, systems, and internal controls.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• 35+ years of progressive accounting experience with payroll processing responsibilities.
• Recent hands-on experience with ADP Workforce Now.
• Strong knowledge of payroll processes, payroll tax regulations, and general accounting principles.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle confidential employee and financial information with discretion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification.
• Experience with Epicor Prophet 21 (P21).
• Experience supporting financial audits and preparing audit documentation.
• Experience with commissions accounting and reporting.

With a rich history dating back to 1961, Power/mation is at the forefront of the automation industry. We partner with customers across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and the Dakotas with innovative solutions in motion control, logic control, robotics, pneumatics, software, sensors, vision, machine safety, power transmission, control panel components, and services. Visit our website at to learn more about our history and future.