Payroll Accountant

We are looking for a Payroll Accountant to join a team in Princeton, NJ in a contract capacity with the potential to become permanent. This role is suited for a detail-oriented finance specialist who can manage payroll accounting activities end to end while supporting accurate reporting and timely close processes. The position works closely with accounting, payroll, and HR partners to keep employee compensation records accurate, compliant, and well documented.Responsibilities:• Manage biweekly and monthly payroll cycles for employees across multiple sites, ensuring each run is completed accurately and on schedule.• Examine payroll data such as wages, benefit deductions, tax withholdings, and garnishments to confirm completeness and correctness before finalization.• Reconcile payroll registers and related reports to general ledger activity, researching variances and resolving discrepancies promptly.• Prepare payroll-related journal entries, accruals, and adjusting entries to support accurate financial statements.• Maintain payroll balance sheet accounts and complete monthly reconciliations with clear supporting documentation.• Record payroll taxes, employer-paid liabilities, and other compensation-related obligations in accordance with accounting standards and regulations.• Contribute to month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities by validating payroll expense data and assisting with reporting deliverables.• Partner with Human Resources and Finance to address payroll questions, correct data issues, and improve ongoing accuracy.• Support internal and external audit requests by assembling schedules, reconciliations, and payroll documentation in line with control requirements.