Senior Specialist, Payroll

The Senior Specialist, Payroll Accounting is a hands-on role responsible for executing payroll accounting activities across assigned entities. This role prepares journal entries, performs account reconciliations, researches and resolves discrepancies, and completes payroll-related close deliverables accurately and on time. Working closely with Payroll Delivery, Employment Tax, Finance, and other stakeholders, the Senior Specialist applies established controls and procedures in day-to-day work to support compliance, accurate financial reporting, and process efficiency.

Payroll Accounting and Close Execution

Prepare and post payroll-related journal entries, accruals, reclasses, reversals, and adjustments, with complete supporting documentation.

Perform day-to-day payroll accounting activities for assigned entities, recording payroll transactions accurately in the general ledger.

Complete assigned payroll accounting deliverables in line with monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close deadlines.

Work directly with Payroll Delivery and related teams to resolve discrepancies and clear reconciling items promptly.

Research reconciling items, out-of-balance conditions, and aged balances, determine root causes, and process the corrections needed to clear them.

Gather and provide documentation in response to internal and external audit requests.

General Ledger Reconciliations and Controls

Prepare and complete reconciliations for payroll and HR-related balance sheet accounts, including payroll clearing, employment tax liabilities, employee benefit accruals, and benefit-related clearing accounts.

Complete reconciliations on time with appropriate supporting documentation and clear variance explanations, in line with established financial control standards.

Review account activity on a recurring basis, flag potential control gaps, and suggest practical process fixes.

Perform new control steps and complete assigned remediation actions resulting from audits, risk assessments, or operational reviews.

Reporting, Procedures, and Process Improvement

Prepare recurring and ad hoc reports on payroll accounting activities, reconciliations, and close status.

Follow payroll accounting policies and procedures, and help keep desk procedures and process documentation up to date.

Compile key metrics and status updates on reconciliation and close progress for management review.

Complete assigned tasks on special projects, system enhancements, and benefits or compensation-related changes affecting payroll accounting processes, including testing and validation.

A bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance is preferred.

5–8 years of total work experience preferred.

Relevant experience in payroll accounting, general ledger accounting, finance operations, or reconciliation functions preferred.

Experience performing complex account reconciliations, payroll-related accounting controls and researching accounting discrepancies.

Strong analytical skills and attention to detail, with the ability to identify discrepancies and resolve them independently.

Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including data analysis and financial reporting.

Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work across payroll, tax, and finance teams.

No direct reports.