Senior Payroll Accountant

Senior Payroll Accountant

Corporate, Finance

Garden Grove, CA • Full-Time/Regular

Position Summary

The Senior Payroll Accountant provides critical payroll, accounting, and analytical support for multi-state Union and Non-Union payrolls, with a primary focus on supporting the Union Lead Accountant. This position requires strong knowledge of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), Union wages and benefits, payroll compliance, reconciliations, and advanced Excel.

The ideal candidate will have experience supporting multiple Union payrolls and CBAs, including wage classifications, overtime, fringe benefits, deductions, Union reporting, prevailing wage, and certified payroll.

A key responsibility is serving as a high-level Excel resource, developing macros, automated tools, reconciliation templates, and reporting solutions that improve payroll accuracy, efficiency, and controls.

Position Details

Union Payroll & CBA Support

• Support the Union Lead Accountant with weekly multi-state Union payroll processing and CBA requirements.
• Review and apply CBA wage rates, classifications, overtime, fringe benefits, deductions, and other payroll requirements.
• Research CBA-related payroll questions and escalate complex interpretations to the Union Lead Accountant.
• Assist with Union reporting, audits, prevailing wage, and certified payroll requirements.
• Reconcile and validate Union payroll data, deductions, benefits, and contributions.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies in partnership with Payroll, HR, Accounting, and Operations.
• Maintain accurate supporting documentation for Union payroll and CBA compliance.

Advanced Excel & Automation

• Serve as an Excel subject-matter resource for the Union Payroll team.
• Create and maintain Excel macros and automated tools to streamline payroll processes and reduce manual work.
• Develop advanced spreadsheets for reconciliations, audits, payroll validation, reporting, and data analysis.
• Utilize advanced Excel functions, including XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, SUMIFS, COUNTIFS, PivotTables, and complex formulas.
• Analyze large payroll datasets to identify errors, variances, missing information, duplicate payments, and other exceptions.
• Develop and maintain standardized Excel templates and automated controls.
• Test, validate, and document macros and automated payroll tools.

Auditing & Reconciliation

• Perform payroll, Union, system-to-system, and payroll-to-General-Ledger reconciliations.
• Audit payroll data for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable CBAs.
• Investigate discrepancies and provide findings and supporting documentation to the Union Lead Accountant.
• Assist with internal and external payroll audits.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Assist with payroll system testing, implementations, upgrades, and enhancements.
• Validate Union rates, pay codes, deductions, and system changes.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes through automation, reporting, and stronger controls.
• Partner with IT, HR, Accounting, and Payroll to resolve system and process issues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field required.
• 5–8+ years of progressive payroll and/or accounting experience.
• Experience supporting Union payroll and multiple Collective Bargaining Agreements preferred.
• Strong understanding of Union wages, classifications, overtime, fringe benefits, deductions, and CBA requirements.
• Experience with Prevailing Wage and Certified Payroll preferred.
• Experience with payroll systems such as Workday, Rhumbix, ADP, COINS, or comparable systems; COINS preferred.
• Advanced to expert-level Excel skills required.
• Proven experience developing Excel macros, automated tools, complex formulas, PivotTables, and reconciliation reports.
• Strong analytical, accounting, reconciliation, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to meet strict payroll deadlines.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to handle confidential payroll information with discretion.
• Ability to work independently while knowing when to escalate complex issues.

Preferred Qualifications

• Construction industry payroll experience.
• Experience supporting multiple Union trades or jurisdictions.
• Experience with CBA payroll audits, Union reporting, prevailing wage, and certified payroll.
• Advanced Excel automation, VBA/macros, Power Query, and data analysis experience.
• Experience supporting payroll system implementations and process improvements.

Benefits

As a 100% employee-owned company, we offer a comprehensive benefits package for you and your family:

• 401(k) plan with 50% company match (no cap) and immediate 100% vesting
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (100% paid for employee)
• Annual bonus program based upon performance, achievement, and company profitability
• Term life, AD&D insurance, and voluntary life insurance
• Disability income protection insurance
• Pre-tax flexible spending plans (health and dependent care)
• Paid parental leave
• Paid holidays, vacation, and personal time
• Training/professional development opportunities and company-paid memberships for professional associations and licenses
• Wellness benefits

About Southland Industries

As one of the nation's largest MEP companies, Southland Industries is built on the foundation of great people. Since 1949, we have put our people first, enabling growth, professional achievement, and innovation. If you want to join a fast-paced environment where you're engaged, challenged, and valued, apply now to join our dynamic team.

To learn more about careers at Southland, explore our career opportunities, and check out our website.

Southland Industries and all its subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing our employees with a safe work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Southland Industries are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, marital status, family care or medical leave status, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Southland Industries will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

Pay: Final pay is determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data. For California this ranges from $75,000.00 - $85,000.00 plus annual incentive, benefits, and retirement program as outlined above.

Contingent Employment: All employment offers are contingent upon successful drug tests, background checks, and professional reference checks. Roles that include driving as an essential job duty will be required to have a successful Motor Vehicle Record check (MVR). We are not able to offer sponsorship of employment at this time.

External Agency Announcement: Its Southland Industries' policy not to accept candidate submissions from recruiting agencies without an active and authorized work order. Candidate ownership can only be established after a bona fide work order is issued by a member of the Southland Industries Talent Acquisition team and the candidate is appropriately submitted through our Applicant Tracking System (ATS).