Payroll Accountant

About the role

Sustainably, we are seeking a Payroll Accountant with strong expertise in US and Canada payroll processes, payroll accounting, tax compliance, and advanced reporting. The ideal candidate will have 5+ years of experience in full-cycle payroll accounting and payroll operations, with proven ability to manage outsourced vendors and support financial audits.

Responsibilities

• Ensure accurate and timely payroll accounting entries, including payroll accruals, journal entries, inter-company charge outs, and reconciliations in accordance with IFRS, GAAP, and company policies.
• Oversee reconciliation of payroll accounts, including payroll clearing, tax liability, bank funding, benefits-related, interim, and return accounts; resolve discrepancies.
• Manage and/or review all payroll tax filings and payments for entities in the US and Canada, ensuring full compliance with federal, state/provincial, and local requirements.
• Review and analyze payroll tax returns and W-2 reporting for accuracy and completeness.
• Aid with year-end payroll activities, including W-2 preparation and audit support.
• Collaborate with internal and external auditors to support audit requests and ensure timely responses to inquiries.

Financial Reporting & Analysis

• Partner with Finance and HR teams to provide payroll accounting data for financial statements, forecasts, and operational reports.
• Analyze payroll and tax data to identify trends, discrepancies, or risks and report findings to management.
• Support month-end and year-end close activities with timely payroll accounting deliverables.
• Ensure that payroll provider files align with bank funding and ERP General Ledger postings.

Process Improvement & Change Initiatives

• Continuously evaluate and enhance payroll accounting, processing, and tax compliance procedures to improve accuracy, efficiency, and controls.
• Lead or contribute to projects related to system enhancements, automation, and process optimization.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline workflows and ensure end-to-end payroll process alignment.

ServiceNow/CRM System

• Utilize ServiceNow or similar CRM tools to manage and track payroll-related accounting and processing tickets, ensuring timely issue resolution.
• Maintain accurate documentation in CRM systems for audit, compliance, and reporting purposes.

Communication & Collaboration

• Respond to employee inquiries regarding payroll issues and provide timely resolutions.
• Collaborate effectively with HR, Tax, Finance, and IT teams to ensure accurate, timely payroll processing and compliance across the organization.
• Communicate complex payroll tax and accounting topics to both financial and non-financial stakeholders in an understandable manner.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field. Higher education preferred.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation or CPA preferred.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in payroll processing and accounting experience.
• Strong knowledge of payroll laws and regulations.
• Proficiency in payroll software and Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• The ability to work under tight deadlines.
• Able to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Skills

• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, complex formulas, and data analysis/report automation).
• Experience with ERP systems (SAP, Workday, or similar) and payroll platforms (Ceridian Dayforce preferred).
• Strong problem-solving skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Able to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Additional Attributes

• Ability to think critically and contribute to process improvement and financial accuracy.
• Proactive mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and innovation.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.