Payroll Accountant

Job Summary

The Payroll Accountant is responsible for supporting accurate and timely payroll processing while maintaining the integrity of payroll-related general ledger accounts. This role bridges payroll operations and financial accounting, ensuring payroll transactions are correctly recorded, reconciled, and reported in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Working within Workday, the Payroll Accountant assists in processing payroll, performs monthly reconciliations of payroll-related balance sheet and expense accounts, and researches and resolves variances in close partnership with HR, Benefits, and Finance teams.

Essential Duties

• Reconcile payroll-related general ledger accounts on a monthly basis, including payroll tax liabilities, accrued wages, benefits withholdings, garnishments, and 401(k) contributions; investigate and resolve reconciling items in a timely manner.
• Prepare and post payroll journal entries to the general ledger following each payroll cycle, accurately recording earnings, voluntary and involuntary deductions, employer taxes, and benefit contributions.
• Validate payroll register data against general ledger activity each cycle; identify and research discrepancies and coordinate corrections with Payroll, HR, and Accounting teams.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end accounting close processes by delivering payroll-related accruals, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules on schedule.
• Ensure accurate calculation, remittance, and reporting of federal, state, and local payroll taxes; assist with preparation of quarterly (Form 941) and annual (W-2, W-3) tax filings.
• Maintain and reconcile employee benefit withholding accounts, including medical/dental/vision premiums, FSA/HSA contributions, 401(k) deferrals, and wage garnishment liabilities.
• Respond to employee inquiries regarding pay discrepancies, direct deposit, tax withholding elections, and deductions in a professional and timely manner.
• Assist with internal and external payroll-related audits, including preparation of audit schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
• Identify and recommend process improvements to strengthen payroll accuracy, efficiency, and internal controls in Workday and the general ledger.
• May assist in processing bi-weekly and semi-monthly payroll for all employees using Workday, ensuring accuracy and timeliness across all payroll runs, including regular, off-cycle, bonus, and adjustment cycles.
• Perform other duties as required.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration required. Associate's degree with substantial relevant experience may be considered.

• 3+ years of progressive payroll experience required, with demonstrated progression from a payroll processor role to one with accounting responsibilities.

• 2+ years of prior experience performing general ledger account reconciliations required.

• Experience with Workday Payroll module strongly preferred.

• Multi-state payroll processing experience preferred.

• Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of payroll processing practices, procedures, and applicable federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations (FICA, FUTA, SUTA, multi-state compliance).

• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) as applied to payroll accounting and general ledger reconciliation processes.

• Skills and Abilities:

• Proficiency in Workday Payroll; ability to navigate, run standard and ad hoc reports, process payroll transactions, and troubleshoot issues.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and formula development for reconciliation and analysis purposes.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to identify root causes of payroll discrepancies and implement timely, accurate corrections.

• Ability to manage multiple concurrent deadlines in a high-volume, fast-paced environment with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to explain payroll and accounting concepts clearly to non-financial stakeholders.

• Collaborative work style with ability to partner effectively across HR, Benefits, Finance, and IT functions.