Senior Payroll Specialist

Lightwave Logic Senior Payroll Specialist

Company: Lightwave Logic (Nasdaq: LWLG)

Location: Englewood, CO - Hybrid

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $65,000 - $100,000 plus Equity (RSUs)

Lightwave Logic (Nasdaq: LWLG) is a publicly traded materials development company that is conducting cutting-edge work to commercialize its proprietary organic nonlinear polymers for a variety of electro-optic devices and pushing the state of the art in high-speed fiber-optic telecom and data communications. Our development roadmap is designed to disrupt the industry by introducing organic modulators and related photonic integrated circuits that offer superior speed, lower power consumption, and smaller size compared to current technologies. Our materials are extendable into other applications, including sensors and quantum computing.

Overview

We are seeking a detail-oriented Senior Payroll Specialist to support the day-to-day accounting operations of the Company, with primary responsibility for payroll administration, stock-based compensation administration, vendor invoice processing, fixed asset accounting support, and state registration compliance activities. The ideal candidate is an accounting professional who is comfortable working across multiple accounting areas and helping build scalable processes in a growing organization.

This role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively across Finance, Human Resources, and Operations functions.

Responsibilities

Payroll Administration

• Administer semi-monthly multi-state payroll processing in coordination with Human Resources and third-party payroll system providers.
• Review payroll data for accuracy, including new hires, terminations, compensation changes, bonuses, commissions, and benefit deductions.
• Prepare and record payroll-related journal entries and account reconciliations.
• Assist with payroll tax reporting and resolution of payroll-related inquiries.
• Maintain payroll documentation and support internal and external audit requests.

Stock-Based Compensation Administration

• Administer employee equity programs, including stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), and other equity awards.
• Coordinate with the Company's equity administration platform and transfer agent as applicable.
• Process employee grants, vesting events, exercises, and terminations.
• Maintain accurate equity records and supporting documentation.
• Assist with preparation of reports supporting stock-based compensation accounting under ASC 718.
• Support quarterly and annual financial reporting requirements related to equity compensation.

Accounts Payable and Vendor Support

• Assist with processing vendor invoices and employee expense reports.
• Verify coding, supporting documentation, and approval requirements in accordance with Company policies.
• Monitor invoice workflows and follow up on outstanding approvals.
• Support vendor statement reconciliations and issue resolution.
• Assist with monthly accounts payable close activities.

Fixed Assets

• Assist with maintaining the fixed asset register and related supporting schedules.
• Support asset capitalization, transfers, disposals, and depreciation calculations.
• Coordinate periodic physical observations and inventory of fixed assets.
• Prepare fixed asset reconciliations and supporting close documentation.
• Assist with audit requests related to fixed assets.

State Registrations and Compliance

• Assist in maintaining the Company's state registrations, business licenses, and annual reporting requirements.
• Monitor filing deadlines and coordinate submissions with external service providers and internal stakeholders.
• Maintain compliance documentation and filing records.
• Support sales tax, payroll tax, and other state compliance initiatives as assigned.

General Accounting

• Prepare journal entries, reconciliations, and schedules as part of the monthly close process.
• Assist with financial statement support schedules and audit requests.
• Participate in process improvement initiatives and documentation of accounting procedures for SOX compliance.
• Support special projects and other accounting responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field preferred.

Experience

• 25 years of hands-on accounting experience.
• Experience processing full-cycle payroll required.
• Experience administering equity-based compensation programs for a publicly traded company, including stock options, RSUs, or ESPP, highly preferred.
• Experience in a public company, manufacturing, technology, or high-growth environment is a plus.
• Experience with NetSuite ERP and one of the major payroll systems strongly preferred.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong understanding of general accounting principles and internal controls.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables and lookup functions.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High degree of accuracy, attention to detail, and confidentiality.

Benefits

Lightwave Logic offers a highly competitive compensation package including stock options, as well as comprehensive benefits including fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage(employee and family), a generous PTO policy, $500/year(prorated) company contribution to your medical FSA, and a 401K (safe harbor, 4% match).

EEO Statement

Lightwave Logic is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.