Payroll and Benefits Accountant

Payroll and Benefits Accountant

JOB DESCRIPTION

Reports to: Controller

Related titles: Compensation & Benefits Accountant

Supervises: Not a supervisory position

Position Summary:

The Payroll & Benefits Accountant is responsible for ensuring the accurate and timely processing of payroll and reconciliation of employee benefits. This role plays a key part in maintaining compliance with tax laws and regulatory requirements, while also supporting the optimization and integration of internal systems related to payroll and benefits. This is a full-time, exempt position.

Position Characteristics:

The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented with strong accounting and technical skills, and the ability to work efficiently in a dynamic work environment. A proactive approach to problem-solving, process improvement, and the ability to manage multiple tasks while effectively communicating across departments will be key to success in this role.

Essential Job Functions: *including but not limited to*

Payroll Management:

• Accurately process and ensure timely payrolls for all employees, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Collaborate with Human Resources to ensure that employee hours, overtime, and any applicable deductions are correctly recorded and processed.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax laws, including review of payroll taxes, quarterly reports, and year-end filings.
• Maintain payroll software, troubleshoot issues, and ensure proper integration with other HR or financial systems.
• Conduct regular payroll audits to ensure accuracy in payroll records, benefits deductions, tax filings, and other payroll-related entries.

Benefits Administration:

• Collaborate with Human resources to ensure that employee enrollments, changes, and terminations are processed correctly and timely.
• Stay up to date with benefit-related legal and regulatory requirements (e.g., ACA, FMLA) and work closely with HR to ensure company practices are compliant.

Accounting:

• Record payroll and benefits-related journal entries in the general ledger, ensuring proper accounting treatment.
• Assist in month-end and year-end closing processes by reconciling payroll and benefits accounts.
• Assist with financial reporting related to payroll and benefits costs, including tracking budget vs. actuals, and generating reports for management review.
• Ensure accurate allocation of payroll and benefits expenses across departments and cost centers.
• Support internal and external audits by providing necessary payroll and benefits documentation and assisting with queries.
• Keeps abreast of laws and regulations relating to payroll and benefits; assures compliance with these laws and regulations; advises club managers as necessary.

Process Improvement & System Enhancements:

• Continuously review and recommend improvements to payroll and benefits to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.
• Work with HR and the finance team to implement and troubleshoot updates to payroll, benefits, and other accounting tasks as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned by Controller.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field or 5 years of experience in payroll & benefits administration.

Experience with payroll software (ADP workforce now) preferred.

Experience within the hospitality industry preferred.

Additional desired experience:

Experience in compliance (knowledge of payroll tax regulations and employee benefits laws).

Strong communication skills to interact with internal teams & members.

Familiarity with accounting software (Club Essential) systems is a plus.

Appearance and Grooming:

All employees must follow the guidelines set forth by the associate handbook regarding proper workplace appearance. Employees must adhere to their department’s specific uniform requirements.

Language Skills:

Strong verbal communication skills with the ability to articulate financial information clearly and concisely. Able to maintain effective communication with both staff and club members, ensuring that all inquiries regarding financial matters are addressed accurately and promptly.

Reasoning Abilities:

The candidate must be curious, with a broad mindset, and able to formulate advanced concepts and solutions that demand a high degree of creativity, innovation, technological expertise, and ingenuity.

Work Environment:

The noise level in the workplace is usually moderate, characteristic of an office environment.

Physical Demands:

This position involves desk-based tasks, including working on computers for extended periods. The employee must be able to sit for long durations while performing tasks such as data entry, report generation, and system management and can lift at least 50 pounds regularly.

Limitations and Disclaimer: The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work expected to be performed for this role at Westwood Country Club. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for this position. All job requirements are subject to possible modifications and will be reasonably accommodated for individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of other employees. This job description does not state or imply that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related instructions and perform other job-related duties when requested by their supervisor, in compliance with federal and state laws. The listed requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform this job successfully. Employees must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. This job description may be changed or updated at any time. Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis.