Senior Accounting/Payroll Specialist

Position Overview:

A privately held construction client is seeking a hands-on accounting professional with a strong background in union payroll and general accounting. This individual will be responsible for managing union payroll activities while supporting the company's day-to-day accounting operations, month-end close, and financial reporting.

The ideal candidate will have experience working for a construction contractor, understand the complexities of union payroll and related compliance requirements, and be comfortable taking ownership of both payroll and accounting responsibilities in a hands-on environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Process and oversee weekly union payroll for construction employees, ensuring accurate and timely payments.

• Maintain a strong understanding of union agreements, prevailing wage requirements where applicable, and applicable payroll regulations.

• Prepare and review union payroll reports, certified payroll documentation where required, and related filings.

• Calculate and reconcile union benefits, fringe benefits, dues, deductions, and contributions to applicable benefit funds.

• Maintain accurate employee payroll records, hours, job classifications, and labor allocations.

• Reconcile payroll accounts and investigate discrepancies between payroll records, job costs, and the general ledger.

• Coordinate with union representatives, benefit funds, employees, and external providers to resolve payroll-related questions and discrepancies.

• Ensure payroll processes comply with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.

• Prepare journal entries and account reconciliations, including accruals, prepaids, and fixed assets.

• Support month-end close by completing assigned reconciliations and maintaining supporting documentation.

• Review general ledger activity, investigate variances, and coordinate corrections.

• Assist with audits, management reporting, and process documentation.

• Support accounting for intercompany transactions and foreign entities, as applicable.

• Assist with bank reconciliations and recording routine cash transactions.

• Support other accounting and reporting needs as they arise.

Qualifications:

• Prior experience in construction accounting with hands-on union payroll processing or oversight.

• Understanding of union payroll requirements, fringe benefits, deductions, and payroll-related compliance.

• General accounting experience, including journal entries, account reconciliations, and month-end close.

• Experience reconciling payroll activity to the general ledger and, ideally, job cost records.

• Strong attention to detail, organization, and ability to manage recurring deadlines.

• Comfortable working onsite in a hands-on role within a growing construction business.

• Experience with Sage 100 or similar accounting systems is helpful; specific payroll software experience is not a determining factor.

Compensation:

• Competitive base salary of $100,000–$110,000.

• Fully onsite, five days per week in Queens, NY.

To all staffing agencies: Wiss does not utilize 3rd party firms for any internal or client positions. Please be advised, Wiss is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes. All unsolicited resumes will become the property of Wiss.