Project Accountant & Payroll Specialist

LOCATION	STATUS	SALARY	REPORTS TO
California — remote and must reside in California	Full-time	$66,712–$100,068	Controller

Position Overview

Harder+Company Community Research is seeking an experienced Project Accountant & Payroll Specialist to join our collaborative team of researchers, consultants, and corporate staff. Our organization provides community-based, action-oriented evaluation and capacity-building services to public agencies, foundations, nonprofits, and other social-sector organizations.

Reporting to the Controller, this position supports project accounting, client billing, payroll administration, financial reporting, cash management, and employee expense processing. The role works closely with Project Directors, Human Resources, and colleagues throughout the organization to help ensure financial information is accurate, timely, complete, and useful for decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Client Billing and Project Accounting

• Prepare accurate, timely monthly invoices for professional services contracts, including government contracts with specific billing formats, documentation, and submission requirements.
• Review contract terms, budgets, and billing instructions, and maintain project and contract information in QuickBooks Online and BQE Core.
• Work with Project Directors to confirm billable time, expenses, and deliverables, and assemble supporting documentation such as labor detail, expense backup, and progress reports.
• Track billing deadlines and move invoices through review, approval, and submission.
• Research and resolve billing discrepancies, and monitor accounts receivable, following up with clients on overdue balances.
• Maintain organized records that support audits and month-end close and recommend improvements to billing processes.

Payroll Administration

• Process biweekly payroll through ADP, reviewing timesheets, deductions, reimbursements, and other changes before each run.
• Maintain employee payroll records in ADP in coordination with Human Resources, including new hires, terminations, compensation changes, and leave.
• Reconcile payroll reports, benefit and retirement deductions, and payroll-related general ledger entries.
• Prepare payroll and labor cost reports, and support payroll tax filings, year-end processing, and W-2 review with ADP.
• Respond to employee payroll questions and help strengthen payroll controls and procedures.

Financial Reporting, Cash Management, and Expenses

• Post cash receipts and prepare weekly cash, accounts payable, invoicing, and accounts receivable reports for company Partners.
• Produce recurring and ad hoc reports in BQE Core and provide documentation for project and financial audits.
• Assist with account reconciliations, month-end close, and other accounting tasks as assigned.
• Review, code, and post employee expense reports, reimbursements, and corporate credit card transactions.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• At least five years of accounting and payroll experience, including project accounting and client billing, preferably in a professional services organization.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field.
• Government contract billing experience preferred.

Technology

• Proficiency with QuickBooks Online, Microsoft 365 (especially Excel), and Adobe Acrobat.
• Experience with BQE Core or a comparable project accounting system preferred.
• Experience with ADP or another payroll platform.
• The ability to learn new systems quickly.

Skills and Competencies

• Exceptional accuracy, organization, and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet recurring deadlines, and work independently in a remote environment.
• Sound judgment in spotting discrepancies and risks early, raising them promptly, and proposing practical solutions.
• Clear, professional communication and effective collaboration with colleagues, company leadership, and clients.
• Discretion in handling confidential employee, payroll, and financial information.

Commitment to Equity

We value the perspectives employees bring from their personal and professional experiences. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to equity and contribute thoughtfully to an inclusive workplace and to our work with clients and communities.

About Harder+Company Community Research

Who We Are

Since 1986, Harder+Company has helped public agencies, foundations, and nonprofit organizations understand their impact and strengthen their strategies for advancing social change. Our consultants combine rigorous research methods with practical insight to evaluate programs, guide organizational learning, engage communities, and help clients plan for the future. For more information about our firm, visit our website: .

How We Work

We use creative, culturally responsive approaches to engage communities and strengthen the capacity of our clients and their partners. We treat clients as partners and design our work to respond to their needs and those of their stakeholders. Our collaborative consulting approach helps organizations reflect, learn, and use information to improve programs and create lasting systems change.

Work Environment

This position is open to California residents only or those that will be resident of California at the time of hire. The role is primarily remote, with occasional in-person meetings at a company office or another designated California location. Most employees work remotely throughout the Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego metropolitan areas.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this full-time position is $66,712–$100,068, commensurate with experience.
Harder+Company offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical and dental coverage, paid vacation and holidays, retirement benefits, and professional development opportunities.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Harder+Company values diverse experiences and perspectives and seeks candidates who reflect the communities we serve. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. 

Applicant Privacy and Security

Harder+Company will never ask an applicant to provide sensitive personally identifiable information by email or telephone during the initial application process.

Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled. No phone calls, faxes, or walk-ins please.