Payroll Accountant

Office is located near Union Square in San Francisco.

The Payroll Accountant plays a critical role in ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll operations across multiple entities. This position is ideal for a detail-oriented accounting professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys working at the intersection of payroll, accounting, and benefits administration. The Payroll Accountant supports employees and leadership alike by delivering precise payroll processing, insightful reporting, and strong internal controls while contributing to audit readiness and continuous process improvement.

This role offers the opportunity to work collaboratively with Human Resources and Finance while supporting organizational excellence and employee satisfaction.

• Process biweekly payroll using payroll software, ensuring accuracy, validation, and balancing of each payroll cycle
• Prepare and update payroll-related management reports and analytics
• Perform timely and accurate monthly payroll close activities, including account and system reconciliations and review of accruals
• Maintain payroll system updates for employee changes and generate related reports
• Prepare medical, dental, garnishment, and benefit contribution and billing reports
• Maintain time management systems, including time clocks and employee timesheet access
• Process new-hire paperwork and payroll-related changes in coordination with Human Resources
• Serve as a resource for employees regarding time reporting and pay inquiries; investigate and resolve paycheck discrepancies
• Review, upload, and manage 403(b), FSA, and other benefit data with third-party administrators
• Prepare and maintain COB calculations for payroll input as required
• Calculate and submit payroll-related data for city, government, or contract reporting purposes
• Prepare General Ledger journal entries related to payroll, workers’ compensation, accrued benefits, and other payroll-related accounts
• Support benefits administration in collaboration with Human Resources, including reconciliations for medical, dental, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, personnel audits, 403(b) processes, special projects, and reporting
• Compile schedules and documentation for external auditors during annual audits
• Manage and provide required data for Department of Labor, workers’ compensation, retirement plan, and other audits
• Distribute annual W-2 forms and other required payroll documentation
• Support special projects and perform additional related duties as assigned

• Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree in Finance or Accounting or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of three (3) years of accounting and payroll experience
• Strong understanding of payroll administration with exceptional attention to detail
• Working knowledge of payroll systems and time management software (Ulti Pro or similar systems)
• Knowledge of federal and state payroll regulations and internal payroll guidelines
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to explain payroll variances clearly to employees and department leaders
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently with minimal supervision
• Strong data entry accuracy and proficiency using a 10-key calculator or keyboard by touch
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and payroll systems

• Experience supporting benefit administration and payroll-related audits
• Strong customer service orientation with excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated resourcefulness and initiative in resolving payroll and system issues
• Experience collaborating cross-functionally with HR, Finance, and leadership teams

• Location:
  
  Near Union Square, San Francisco
• Work Type:
  Hybrid

• Professional administrative office setting

• Typically 2–3 days per week on-site and 2–3 days per week remote, with flexibility to meet organizational needs