Payroll Accountant

Founded in 1866, San Jose Water Company is an investor owned water company headquartered in Silicon Valley. With a service area of 140 square miles, it is one of the largest and most technically sophisticated urban water system in the United States. We serve over 1 million people with high quality, life sustaining water, with an emphasis on exceptional customer service.

We are actively seeking talented, driven and highly-productive applicants for the position of Payroll Accountant to join our dynamic team. We offer a challenging and rewarding work environment along with a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package.  

Under the general direction of the Payroll Supervisor, the Payroll Accountant is responsible for the payroll functions of the organization, ensuring payment is process accurately, timely, and in compliance with government regulations, and perform related work as required.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Primary duties include all activities necessary to process bi-weekly and monthly multi-State payrolls through ADP Workforce Now for salaried and hourly employees; including maintenance of employee records, auditing employee payroll data and hours, process timecard corrections, and calculate termination payments.
• Administration of electronic timekeeping, filing reports, processing involuntary deductions such as levies and garnishments, preparing accounting transactions and documents, updating procedures, and preparing special reports for management.
• Prepares journal entries and assists in month-end close process to ensure timely and accurate financial reporting. Posts, balances, and reconciles the general ledger and subsidiary accounts.
• Review and reconciliation of quarterly and annual payroll tax reporting, including W-2 processing.
• Resolve and respond to any pay issues and/or questions in a timely and professional manner.
• Provide records and documentation to auditors, management, or regulators as needed.
• Participates in the development of policies and procedures, ensures compliance with established policies and procedures, and makes recommendations for changes and improvement.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge and skill in the preparation and processing of payroll and related activities.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local wage and labor regulations and reporting requirements.
• Application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Sarbanes-Oxley internal control compliance.
• Knowledge of accounting information systems, and ability to handle complex accounting and financial data.
• Ability to review, analyze and reconcile journals and legal documents. Ensure compliance with applicable financial reporting and accounting regulations.
• Organize work, set priorities, and meet critical deadlines. Ability to multitask and deliver results under challenging circumstances while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Good written and oral communication skills. Well organized and detail oriented.

Required Education and Experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting or another related field or equivalent experience. 
• 5 years of experience in processing payroll.
• Certified Payroll Professional preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel.
• Diversified experience with financial accounting systems, particularly ADP Workforce Now, JD Edwards Enterprise One, Power Plant, Insight, and FloQast is desirable.
• Experience managing payroll in a union environment highly desired.