Payroll Accountant - Maui, Oahu, Hawaii

Payroll Accountant – Maui, Oahu, Hawaii Island

Location:

Honolulu, Hawaii (HI), US, 96840

The Payroll Accountant will manage daily activities of the Payroll Shared Services operation for all three Utility Companies and Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI). The role coordinates updating payroll information between HR/Benefits systems and SAP Payroll, ensuring timely, accurate, and efficient employee wage payments and taxes. The position enforces compliance with Payroll SOX controls, payroll tax, and government reporting requirements, and serves as liaison between Payroll and the broader CCOE/SAP matrix organization.

• Manage Payroll activities of the Payroll Shared Services operation for all 3 Utility Companies and HEI, ensuring timely and accurate payments and payroll tax withholding for all employee compensation types including special processes for vested and non‑vested imputed income plans, awards programs, relocation programs, TDI, and Workers Compensation payments.
• Coordinate and maintain accurate updates of employee payroll information between the HR/Benefits system and SAP Payroll, including setup of all earnings and deduction codes and their taxability in SAP Payroll.
• Make timely tax payments, file online reports, and prepare quarterly and annual payroll tax returns. Upload W‑2s to the appropriate taxing authorities and address tax notifications as required.
• Ensure timely and accurate payroll reporting, working closely with Corporate Accounting and Treasury on internal financial reporting requirements and cash management, validating tax liabilities and payments and reconciling payroll‑related account balances monthly.
• Collaborate with Human Resources and HEI taxes on new or amended compensation and benefit plans, ensuring special payroll tax requirements are addressed and procedures documented per federal and state law.
• Participate in company emergency response activities and related preparations as assigned.

• Thorough knowledge of federal and state withholding tax laws, workers’ compensation laws, temporary disability insurance laws, federal and state unemployment laws.
• Solid understanding of accounting principles, including general ledger and cost accounting, typically obtained via advanced college‑level accounting courses or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of policies and procedures contained in Company/Union Agreements, General Information Manual, and related documents.
• Working knowledge of personal computers and/or mainframe systems and relevant software (spreadsheets, word processing, databases).
• Excellent written, oral, and presentation skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills to influence and persuade various groups.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to work with diverse individuals.
• In‑depth analytical, organizational, and conceptual skills to manage projects and programs.
• Ability to remain flexible in a demanding work environment with rapidly changing priorities.
• 3–5 years of accounting experience, with at least 2 years related to payroll or cost accounting.
• 1–3 years of supervisory experience in accounting or related field.

Hawaiian Electric Companies is an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Hawaiian Electric Companies complies with all applicable laws, including Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Any request for reasonable accommodation needed during the application process should be communicated by the candidate to the HR Service Center at (808) 543‑4848.