Payroll Accountant
Job Summary
Reporting to the Controller, the Payroll Accountant is a hybrid accounting role with responsibilities divided approximately equally between payroll operations and staff accounting. The position will help administer timely and accurate payroll for a remote, multi-state workforce; maintain payroll-related compliance and records; reconcile payroll activity to the general ledger; and support month-end close, project accounting, balance sheet reconciliations, billing, and financial reporting.
Essential Functions
Administer biweekly payroll processing for employees in multiple states, including review of employee changes, time records, earnings, deductions, taxes, reimbursements, and payroll exceptions
Perform pre- and post-payroll audits to confirm completeness, accuracy, proper approvals, and timely payment; investigate and resolve discrepancies promptly
Maintain payroll information in Rippling and support accurate data flow between Rippling and Deltek Vantagepoint, including employee profiles, labor hours, project and department coding, deductions, and tax jurisdictions
Monitor employee work locations and assist with registrations, tax-account setup, withholding requirements, reciprocity rules, and other state and local payroll obligations as the company enters new jurisdictions
Support compliance with applicable federal, state, and local payroll requirements, including paid family leave, state disability, unemployment, wage-and-hour, garnishment, and required remote-work programs
Reconcile payroll registers, cash funding, tax filings, benefit deductions, labor distribution, and the general ledger; prepare and post payroll-related journal entries
Review labor distribution and payroll coding to departments, accounts, and cost categories; coordinate corrections that affect payroll
Respond to employee payroll questions professionally and confidentially, coordinating with Human Resources, benefit providers, and payroll vendors as needed
Support quarterly and year-end payroll activities, including Forms W-2 and W-2c, taxable fringe benefits, third-party sick pay, payroll tax reconciliations, and calendar-year reporting
Aid with 401(k) administration, contribution reconciliations, census preparation, compensation-code mapping, and nondiscrimination testing support
Prepare payroll, workers' compensation, and retirement-plan audit schedules and documentation; assist with workers' compensation classifications and multi-state audits
Maintain payroll procedures, controls, calendars, and organized supporting documentation, and identify opportunities to improve the timesheet-to-payroll process and reduce manual adjustments
Accounting
Prepare monthly balance sheet reconciliations, including payroll and benefit liabilities, cash, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses, fixed assets, accrued expenses, and other assigned accounts
Research and resolve reconciling items and accounting discrepancies in a timely manner
Prepare and post recurring and nonrecurring journal entries with complete and appropriate supporting documentation
Assist with monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes and help ensure assigned deadlines are achieved
Review transactions for proper coding to accounts, departments, and cost categories, and reconcile financial information to the general ledger
Support accounts receivable monitoring, collection follow-up, cash application, accounts payable, and employee expense-report review as assigned
Prepare audit support, ad hoc reports, and financial analyses requested by the Controller or management
Maintain accurate accounting records, support accounting policies and internal controls, and recommend improvements to reporting accuracy, efficiency, and scalability
Perform other accounting and administrative duties as assigned, with the mix of payroll and staff accounting work adjusted periodically to meet business-cycle requirements
Position Requirements
Two to five years of progressive payroll and/or accounting experience, including hands-on payroll processing and general ledger responsibilities
Experience supporting payroll for employees in multiple states; experience with a remote or distributed workforce is preferred
Working knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll taxes, payroll deductions, wage-and-hour requirements, and year-end payroll reporting
Understanding of generally accepted accounting principles, accrual accounting, and the relationship between payroll, project costing, the income statement, and the balance sheet
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including formulas, lookups, pivot tables, sorting, filtering, and data reconciliation
Strong attention to detail, analytical ability, organization, and commitment to accuracy and deadlines
Effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work independently while collaborating across Accounting, Human Resources, and Operations
Proactive follow-through and willingness to investigate issues through resolution
Service-oriented communication with employees and non-accounting professionals
Intellectual curiosity and a desire to understand the business behind payroll and accounting transactions
Adaptability and comfort working in a growing, evolving, and fully remote organization
What Smart Tech Contracting Offers
A broad role that develops both payroll and accounting expertise
Exposure to project managers, operational leaders, and Human Resources
A collaborative remote environment that encourages learning, ownership, and professional growth
The opportunity to strengthen payroll and accounting processes while supporting the continued growth of the business
TRAVEL / RELOCATION REQUIREMENTS
Up to 5%, this may include travel to any or all 50 US states
Must be located near a major US airport
Effective May 7, 2025, and in accordance with U.S. federal regulations for domestic air travel, a valid REAL ID (or an acceptable alternative, such as a passport) is required for travel associated with this position
Travel may involve transportation by car or plane depending on the destination and nature of the business need
Travel is defined as physically leaving home on behalf of business activities including but not limited to client sites, meetings with other employees, meetings for business development purposes, running errands on behalf of the business, attending industry conferences, etc.
Education / Experience Requirements
Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
Two to five years of progressive payroll and/or accounting experience, including hands-on payroll processing and general ledger responsibilities
Benefits
Choice of comprehensive medical plans (including two PPO-style plans and a HDHP w/ HSA option)
Dental and vision plans
Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits extended to spouse / domestic partner and dependent children up to age 26
401k with company match and self-directed brokerage account option
PTO including additional paid time off during the last week of the year
Company paid life insurance coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
Short and long-term disability, AD&D coverage
Professional development opportunities, tuition reimbursement and professional licensing assistance
Paid parental leave after one year of employment