Staff Accountant, Payroll Focused

About The Kennedy Collective

The Kennedy Collective is a Connecticut-based nonprofit organization serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (/DD), veterans, and individuals facing barriers to employment. TKC operates across Southern Connecticut through five divisions—Administration, Program Services, Social Enterprises, Workforce Development, and Mobility Services—providing person-centered residential, day program, employment, and community integration services alongside social enterprise businesses that create employment and generate mission-aligned revenue.

TKC's Core Values are to Challenge the Status Quo, Build Community, Create Purpose and Ensure Inclusion. We believe in building high-performing teams, commit to continuous quality improvement, and create real opportunity for the people we serve, those who serve them and the communities we operate in.

The Staff Accountant – Payroll Focus is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll for approximately 500+ employees across TKC's five operating divisions. This role serves as the primary payroll administrator, ensuring compliance with federal and state wage and hour laws, managing payroll deductions and benefits allocations, reconciling payroll data with general ledger accounts, and supporting month‑end and year‑end close processes.

The position requires strong attention to detail, proficiency in payroll systems, and the ability to handle sensitive employee information with discretion and confidentiality. The position also serves as back‑up support to all accounting functions AR/AP/Procurement/Entitlement.

This is a front‑line professional role within the Finance team, reporting directly to the Director of Finance. The Staff Accountant collaborates closely with HR, division managers, and program directors to resolve payroll discrepancies, implement time and attendance policies, and continuously improve payroll processes. Success in this role means error‑free payroll runs, satisfied employees whose pay is correct and on time, and clean audit trails that support TKC's financial compliance obligations.

This position reports directly to the Director of Finance. The Staff Accountant works within the Finance team and collaborates regularly with HR personnel, division managers, and program staff across all TKC locations.

Primary

Work Location:

TKC administrative offices, Trumbull, CT

Work Schedule:

Monday – Friday (Full‑time, 40 hours per week)

Compensation Range: $60,000 – $80,000 per year (depending on experience)

This is a non‑exempt, salary position not‑eligible for overtime pay.

Benefits include:

• 401(k) with 4% company match
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid sick time
• Professional development assistance
• Employee assistance program

• Own the full‑cycle payroll process for 500+ employees, ensuring accurate and timely bi‑weekly payroll runs with 100% on‑time completion.
• Process payroll deductions for benefits (health insurance, 401(k), FSA/HSA), garnishments, child support, and other with holdings with complete accuracy.
• Reconcile payroll accounts to the general ledger, investigate and resolve discrepancies, and support month‑end and year‑end close processes.
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries professionally and promptly, investigating and resolving pay discrepancies within 48 hours.
• Ensure accuracy of year‑end reporting and support external audit requests for payroll‑related documentation.
• Stay current on federal, state, and local payroll regulations, implementing process changes as needed to maintain compliance.

• Maintain absolute confidentiality of employee pay and personal information; access and discuss payroll data only as required for job duties.
• Deliver error‑free payroll runs with zero tolerance for missed deadlines or critical calculation errors.
• Respond to employee inquiries within 48 hours with professional, complete, and courteous communication.
• Complete all reconciliations and month‑end close activities accurately and on schedule.

• Process…