Payroll Accountant

Job Title: Payroll Accoutant

5 days onsite in Kent, WA

6 month contract to hire

Job Description

This in-office Payroll Specialist role supports a growing tool manufacturing organization by managing accurate, compliant payroll processing for approximately 200 employees across multiple states. The position prepares and disburses monthly and semi-monthly payrolls, supports payroll tax compliance, and assists with month-end and year-end financial accounting activities. The role offers the opportunity to work closely with Human Resources and Accounting, contribute to process improvements, and support a dynamic, growth-oriented environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and process monthly and semi-monthly payroll for approximately 200 employees, including 35 hourly and 165–180 salaried employees, in a multi-state environment.

• Review, approve, and post employee timesheets weekly or as directed, ensuring accuracy and completeness.

• Directly follow up with employees, supervisors, and leaders to resolve discrepancies or issues related to time sheets and payroll data.

• Coordinate closely with Human Resources to compile payroll data, including new hires, employee changes, terminations, and payroll deductions.

• Execute multiple payroll runs each month within established timelines, maintaining high accuracy and alignment with company policies and structure.

• Ensure timely and accurate submission of payroll tax payments and returns, including 941 tax filings, in compliance with regulatory and corporate requirements.

• Process and reconcile benefit funding related to payroll, ensuring compliance with benefit and deduction rules.

• Support payroll system administration by setting up new tax jurisdictions, earnings codes, and deduction codes, and by enhancing payroll reporting capabilities.

• Reconcile payroll-related general ledger accounts within required timelines and support month-end processes, including journal entries and account analysis.

• Assist with month-end and year-end close activities, including payroll-related financial accounting tasks and reporting.

• Prepare and support compensation analysis and reporting for the organization as needed.

• Maintain current knowledge of payroll, tax, and industry trends and apply this knowledge to improve payroll processes and meet evolving business needs.

• Perform data entry, verification, and analysis to ensure payroll data integrity and accurate financial reporting.

• Collaborate with accounting and finance teams to support financial statement preparation and related payroll accounting activities.

• Use payroll software and related systems to generate reports, support audits, and provide accurate documentation for internal and external stakeholders.

Essential Skills

• 3–5 years of payroll experience, preferably with multi-state operational payroll processing.

• Proven experience preparing and processing payroll in a multi-state environment.

• Hands-on experience with payroll processing, payroll tax, and payroll accounting.

• Ability to review, approve, and post timesheets accurately and efficiently.

• Experience reconciling payroll-related general ledger accounts and supporting month-end processes.

• Proficiency with payroll tax compliance, including 941 tax filings and related reporting.

• Experience with payroll software such as ADP Payroll, Paylocity, and similar platforms.

• Strong Excel skills for data analysis, reconciliation, and reporting.

• Experience with general ledger accounting, journal entries, and financial statement support.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or business.

• Experience in a manufacturing environment or other project-based work settings.

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate with Human Resources on employee changes, benefits, and payroll deductions.

• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills in handling sensitive payroll and financial data.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Deltek, including Deltek Vantagepoint, particularly in project-based or construction/architecture environments.

• Experience with Paylocity and ADP Workforce Now or similar payroll platforms.

• Knowledge of workers’ compensation payroll reporting and related compliance.

• Background in construction, architecture, or other project-based industries is beneficial.

• Experience with benefits administration and payroll-related deductions.

• Strong data entry and analytical skills for payroll and financial reporting.

• Ability to prepare and support compensation analysis and reporting for leadership.

• Familiarity with month-end and year-end close processes in an accounting environment.

• Comfort working with reporting tools to support payroll, accounting, and management information needs.

• Demonstrated ability to stay current with payroll, tax, and industry trends and apply best practices to improve processes.

Work Environment

This role operates 100% on-site in a professional open office environment in Kent, with standard hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The workspace features low to moderate noise levels and includes collaborative areas for team meetings and cross-functional work. The office provides shared resources such as video conferencing technology, printing and scanning equipment, and a café area for dining and breaks. The organization is growth-oriented and customer-focused, emphasizing teamwork, continuous improvement, and building a stronger team for the future. You will work closely with Human Resources, Accounting, and other departments in a collaborative setting while managing payroll for a workforce of approximately 200 employees.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Kent, WA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $40.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Kent,WA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 6, 2026.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io (%View email address on click.appcast.io) for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.