Payroll Accounting Specialist

Our team members are the key to our company’s success, and their health and well-being, as well as that of their families, is very important to us. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that allows our team members stay healthy, plan for their future and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Benefits may vary with employment status.  To see our fill list of Team Member Benefits please visit our career site: www.gotoworkhappy.com/benefits

Job Description:

The Payroll Accounting Specialist is responsible for ensuring accurate payroll accounting, reconciliation, and reporting in compliance with company policies, GAAP, and regulatory requirements. This role plays a key part in bridging payroll operations and accounting, with a strong focus on maintaining data integrity within Workday and supporting financial close activities.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Accounting & Reconciliation

• Perform payroll-related journal entries, accruals, and adjustments in the general ledger
• Reconcile payroll accounts including wages, taxes, benefits, deductions, and liabilities
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies between payroll, HRIS (Workday), and financial systems
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes

Workday Payroll Support

• Maintain and audit payroll-related data within Workday for accuracy and completeness
• Partner with HRIS and Payroll teams to ensure proper configuration of earnings, deductions, and costing allocations
• Generate and analyze Workday payroll reports for accounting and audit purposes
• Assist with payroll system updates, testing, and enhancements

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure payroll accounting complies with federal, state, and local regulations
• Support internal and external audits by providing documentation and reconciliations
• Prepare payroll-related financial reports and variance analyses
• Ensure accurate posting of payroll tax liabilities and payments

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Payroll, Finance, HR, and Benefits teams to resolve issues and improve processes
• Participate in continuous process improvement initiatives, including automation and standardization
• Assist in implementing best practices in payroll accounting and financial controls

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 3–5+ years of payroll accounting or related experience
• Hands-on experience with Workday Payroll and/or Workday Financials required

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of general ledger and payroll accounting principles
• Advanced proficiency in Excel (pivot tables, formulas, data analysis)
• Experience with ERP systems (Workday strongly preferred)
• Understanding of payroll taxes, garnishments, and benefits accounting

Core Competencies

• High attention to detail and strong analytical skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines
• Strong problem-solving and reconciliation capabilities
• Effective communication and collaboration skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a multi-state or global payroll environment
• Knowledge of SOX controls and compliance
• Experience with payroll integrations and system implementations

Disclaimer
While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the current job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change, (e.g. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs or technical developments).