What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff Accountant - Payroll and Benefits position at Proprietors of the Cemetery of Mount Auburn?
ORGANIZATION
Mount Auburn Cemetery comprises 175 acres and is situated in Watertown and Cambridge near Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1831, and visited by over 200,000 people each year, Mount Auburn is a National Historic Landmark, recognized as the first “rural cemetery” and the inspiration for the American Parks Movement during the 19th century. As an active cemetery, Mount Auburn inspires all who visit, comforts the bereaved, and commemorates the dead in a landscape of exceptional beauty. As an accredited arboretum, Mount Auburn features 5,000 trees and more than 20,000 plants/plant masses overall.
POSITION SUMMARY
Reporting to the Senior Manager, HR Operations, and the Accounting Manager, the Staff Accountant - Payroll & Benefits will manage, process and perform all the payroll functions and benefit management for Mount Auburn Cemetery, ensuring pay and benefits are processed on time, accurately, and in compliance with Federal and State regulations.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Implements, maintains, and reviews payroll processing and accounting systems to ensure timely and accurate processing of payroll transactions including salaries, benefits, garnishments, taxes, and other deductions.
• Maintains accurate records of employee information.
• Verifies, calculates, and processes bi-weekly payroll.
• Ensures accurate and timely processing of payroll updates including new hires, terminations, and changes to pay rates.
• Prepares payroll journal entries and reconciles payroll-related accounts, including but not limited to benefits reconciliations.
• Prepares and maintains accurate records and reports of payroll transactions.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, wage, and hour laws and best practices, including the preparation of mandated reporting and tax filing coordination.
• Participates in the annual audit by providing records and documentation to auditors.
• Identifies and recommends updates to payroll accounting software, systems, and procedures.
• Provides dedicated and effective HR support to employees.
• Supports Accounting Manager with month-end, year-end and annual audits with a variety of tasks.
• Builds direct relationships with benefit providers, payroll consultants and accounting team to create a full support team that facilitates best payroll and benefit practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field required.
• At least three to five years of related experience required.
• Knowledge of all pertinent federal and state regulations, filing and compliance requirements, both adopted and pending, affecting employee benefits programs, including the ACA, ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, Section 125, workers' compensation, Medicare, OBRA, and Social Security and DOL requirements.
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite and HRIS/Payroll systems, preferably Paycom.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• High degree of confidentiality.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
• Prolonged periods of sitting/standing at a desk and working on a computer.
Mount Auburn Cemetery is an equal-opportunity employer. It does not discriminate in employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, national origin, age, pregnancy, citizenship status, physical or mental ability, military status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.
Mount Auburn Cemetery comprises 175 acres and is situated in Watertown and Cambridge near Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1831, and visited by over 200,000 people each year, Mount Auburn is a National Historic Landmark, recognized as the first “rural cemetery” and the inspiration for the American Parks Movement during the 19th century. As an active cemetery, Mount Auburn inspires all who visit, comforts the bereaved, and commemorates the dead in a landscape of exceptional beauty. As an accredited arboretum, Mount Auburn features 5,000 trees and more than 20,000 plants/plant masses overall.
POSITION SUMMARY
Reporting to the Senior Manager, HR Operations, and the Accounting Manager, the Staff Accountant - Payroll & Benefits will manage, process and perform all the payroll functions and benefit management for Mount Auburn Cemetery, ensuring pay and benefits are processed on time, accurately, and in compliance with Federal and State regulations.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Implements, maintains, and reviews payroll processing and accounting systems to ensure timely and accurate processing of payroll transactions including salaries, benefits, garnishments, taxes, and other deductions.
• Maintains accurate records of employee information.
• Verifies, calculates, and processes bi-weekly payroll.
• Ensures accurate and timely processing of payroll updates including new hires, terminations, and changes to pay rates.
• Prepares payroll journal entries and reconciles payroll-related accounts, including but not limited to benefits reconciliations.
• Prepares and maintains accurate records and reports of payroll transactions.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, wage, and hour laws and best practices, including the preparation of mandated reporting and tax filing coordination.
• Participates in the annual audit by providing records and documentation to auditors.
• Identifies and recommends updates to payroll accounting software, systems, and procedures.
• Provides dedicated and effective HR support to employees.
• Supports Accounting Manager with month-end, year-end and annual audits with a variety of tasks.
• Builds direct relationships with benefit providers, payroll consultants and accounting team to create a full support team that facilitates best payroll and benefit practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field required.
• At least three to five years of related experience required.
• Knowledge of all pertinent federal and state regulations, filing and compliance requirements, both adopted and pending, affecting employee benefits programs, including the ACA, ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, Section 125, workers' compensation, Medicare, OBRA, and Social Security and DOL requirements.
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite and HRIS/Payroll systems, preferably Paycom.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• High degree of confidentiality.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
• Prolonged periods of sitting/standing at a desk and working on a computer.
Mount Auburn Cemetery is an equal-opportunity employer. It does not discriminate in employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, national origin, age, pregnancy, citizenship status, physical or mental ability, military status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.
