Senior Accountant

Role Overview

The Senior Payroll Accountant plays a critical role in ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of payroll accounting and reporting activities for the Americas. This position is responsible for supporting payroll-related close processes, overseeing payroll balance sheet reconciliations, performing detailed payroll and compensation analyses, and ensuring compliance with US GAAP, SOX requirements, payroll tax regulations, and company policies. The role partners closely with Payroll Operations, HR, Tax, and onshore/offshore accounting teams and is a key contributor to audit readiness, payroll process improvements, and complex compensation and payroll accounting matters.

Key Responsibilities:

Payroll Accounting & Month-End Close

• Support the timely and accurate completion of payroll-related month-end close activities
• Prepare, review, and post payroll and benefit-related journal entries in accordance with US GAAP and company policies
• Ensure accurate recording of payroll expenses, liabilities, accruals, bonuses, commissions, equity compensation, and benefits
• Review payroll data and reports from payroll providers to ensure completeness and accuracy in the general ledger

Reconciliations & Financial Analysis

• Prepare and review payroll-related balance sheet reconciliations (e.g., wages, bonuses, commissions, payroll taxes, benefits, accrued compensation)
• Investigate and resolve reconciling items, variances, and aged balances in a timely manner
• Perform monthly flux and trend analyses of payroll and compensation expenses and communicate key drivers and risks to management

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Payroll, HR, Total Rewards, Tax, and Finance teams to ensure proper accounting treatment for payroll, benefits, and employee compensation programs
• Coordinate with onshore and offshore accounting teams to resolve open items and ensure consistent application of payroll accounting policies
• Support payroll system changes, implementations, and process enhancements from an accounting perspective

Compliance, Controls & Audits

• Ensure compliance with US GAAP, SOX, payroll tax regulations, and company policies
• Support internal and external audits by preparing payroll schedules, reconciliations, and documentation and responding to audit requests
• Evaluate payroll-related SOX controls for design and operating effectiveness
• Identify control gaps and implement enhanced controls for existing or new payroll processes
• Develop and maintain payroll accounting process documentation and procedures

Technical Payroll Accounting & Projects

• Review complex or non-routine payroll transactions, including bonuses, equity-based compensation, severance, and international payroll matters
• Support payroll-related accounting guidance, research, and policy documentation
• Lead or support payroll accounting projects and continuous improvement initiatives with minimal supervision

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 4+ years of progressive accounting experience, with a focus on payroll accounting, compensation, or related areas
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP as it relates to payroll, compensation, and employee benefits
• Hands-on experience with payroll journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, and month-end close
• Familiarity with SOX controls, audit support, and payroll-related compliance requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA or CPA-eligible
• Experience working with payroll providers and HRIS systems (e.g., ADP, Workday, UKG, SAP)
• Experience supporting multi-state and/or international payroll accounting
• Prior experience working with offshore accounting or payroll teams
• Public accounting or shared services experience a plus