Payroll Accountant

Our client is a privately held hospitality services organization seeking to hire a strong Payroll Accountant to their growing Chicago based team. With operations spanning globally, the company offers a dynamic, globally connected environment that values collaboration and professionalism.

The Payroll Accountant will support U.S. and international payroll operations across multiple countries, combining payroll administration with hands-on accounting, journal entries, reconciliations, and compliance. This role requires strong accounting fundamentals, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate brings together strong accounting fundamentals, practical payroll knowledge, and a high level of professionalism. They are comfortable working with detailed financial data, managing recurring deadlines, and communicating with employees and external providers to resolve issues efficiently.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and process domestic and international payroll using ADP platforms and foreign payroll providers, ensuring accuracy and timely execution.
• Prepare, review, and audit weekly, monthly, quarterly, and year-end payroll reports.
• Prepare payroll-related journal entries and reconcile payroll, benefits, insurance, vacation, sick leave, and other liability accounts.
• Reconcile payroll registers to the general ledger and maintain accurate financial records and supporting documentation.
• Administer payroll deductions, tax codes, garnishments, retirement contributions, flexible spending account funding, and related reporting requirements.
• Monitor timecard compliance, communicate payroll deadlines, and coordinate with employees and supervisors to resolve outstanding items.
• Support payroll tax compliance, external audits, year-end reporting, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen internal controls, improve reporting accuracy, and streamline payroll accounting processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related field.
• Approximately 3+ years of payroll and general accounting experience.
• Strong understanding of accounting fundamentals, including journal entries, general ledger reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Experience supporting payroll processing, payroll accounting, and related compliance activities.
• Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills, including the ability to analyze payroll data and support reconciliations.
• Familiarity with ADP Workforce Now and ADP Celergo.

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