Accounting Associate/Payroll

C-Path • Tucson, AZ

4d

About The Position

The Accounting Associate is responsible for the semi-monthly payroll processes for Critical Path Institute. This role will also assist team members in the Finance department with administrative, accounting, and bookkeeping functions, including accounts payable and bank reconciliations. A successful Accounting Associate combines strong customer service and communication skills with basic to intermediate accounting abilities in order to compile and review financial information and present it to teammates, upper management, and program personnel. This position requires familiarity with accounting and administrative software including Microsoft Office applications, a firm grasp of basic accounting principles and practices, and strong attention to details. The Accounting Associate must be well-organized, have an aptitude for numbers, and be able to maintain good relationships with a variety of stakeholders. The Accounting Associate will serve as back-up for other team members in areas such as financial reporting, and tasks related to annual financial audits and support of other audits. This role also assists the Finance team leadership with special and ad-hoc projects including but not limited to systems analysis, reporting, reconciliations, and internal controls.

Requirements

• Strong understanding of labor allocation, payroll taxes and benefits across grants, programs and cost centers, maintain supporting documentation, and ensure payroll allocations reconcile to the GL
• Strong Excel skills (lookups, pivot tables, reconciliations and data analysis), comfort working with payroll/accounting systems, and exceptional accuracy, organization and confidentiality
• Hands-on experience processing payroll accurately and on schedule, including new hires/terminations, salary changes, bonuses, deductions, benefits, PTO and other payroll adjustments
• Ability to reconcile payroll registers to the general ledger, prepare payroll journal entries and accruals, reconcile payroll liabilities, and research discrepancies
• Working knowledge of federal, state and local payroll taxes, wage-and-hour requirements, W-2s, quarterly/year-end reporting, and preferably multi-state payroll
• Strong knowledge of payroll software and systems
• Basic understanding of employee benefits, including insurance and 403(b)
• Good knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Ability to effectively present information to management and other stakeholders
• Good problem-solving skills and ability to work independently
• Ability to navigate ambiguity in a fast paced and dynamic environment
• Solid analytical, organizational, and time management skills
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Adaptability, flexibility, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to meet target deadlines and manage time effectively
• Ability to successfully anticipate issues or challenges and proactively address them without being asked
• Good working knowledge of automated accounting software
• Associate's degree in accounting, finance, or similar field.
• Two (2) or more years of experience in financial reporting, and experience in and understanding of nonprofit accounting,
• Experience in nonprofit organizations

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Under the direction of the Controller, perform general ledger reconciliations in areas such as employee benefit liabilities and expenses, fixed assets, and pre-paid expenses
• Interface with banks to ensure adequate funds are on hand for payroll cash needs, and that all deposits or withdrawals from payroll vendors are recorded timely and reconciled regularly
• Working closely with the Human Resources department, manage the routine semi-monthly payroll processes of the organization
• Maintain compliant policies and procedures for processing payroll, including a detailed understanding of labor allocation
• Serve as backup to other team members in areas such as Accounts Payable and Receivable
• Manage electronic files for the department
• Make bank deposits either via Remote Deposit Capture, or by traveling to the branch
• Help with audit and preparation of interim reports
• Provide feedback on best practices and recommendations of process improvements.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree