Accounting Coordinator (Payroll and AP)

Housing Catalyst•Fort Collins, CO

6d•$58,200 - $81,480•Onsite

About The Position

The Accounting Coordinator oversees day-to-day payroll and accounts payable operations, including hands-on payroll processing, work direction and oversight of accounts payable staff, workflow coordination, issue resolution, and support for related accounting activities. The role ensures work is completed accurately and on time, supports process improvements, and performs related accounting duties. The position is based in the Housing Catalyst Financial Services Department and is essential personnel in emergencies. Payroll duties include processing bi-weekly payroll; reviewing payroll inputs and documentation; researching discrepancies; completing post-submission funding, contribution, reconciliation, accounting-entry, reporting, and tax-related activities; maintaining records; and supporting compliance with applicable requirements and internal controls. Accounts payable duties include overseeing invoice and payment workflows, guiding and reviewing staff work, supporting procurement and purchase-order processes, reviewing vendor changes and payment documentation, and identifying and escalating risks or recurring issues. The coordinator also supports the Accounting Manager and financial reporting, budgeting, and audits; prepares accounting entries, schedules, reconciliations, and reports; troubleshoots system and workflow issues; helps maintain operational continuity; and identifies opportunities to strengthen controls and improve processes. The position requires confidentiality, regular and prompt attendance, and residence in Larimer or Weld County. Candidates who do not currently live in those counties may be given up to six months to relocate; limited exceptions may be considered. The role is performed in an office environment with a moderate noise level. It frequently involves remaining stationary and daily activities such as sitting, standing, reaching, grasping, using computers and other office equipment, moving around the office, and attending onsite and offsite meetings. The employee must communicate in person, in writing, and by telephone and may occasionally need to transport up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Requirements

At least four years of progressively responsible accounting experience, including significant payroll and accounts payable experience.
Experience providing work direction, training, or supervision.
Strong working knowledge of payroll and accounts payable processes, including related reconciliations and accounting entries.
Working knowledge of procurement, purchase-order, invoice-approval, and payment workflows.
Ability to orient employees and explain organizational policies, rules, regulations, and procedures.
Ability to supervise staff through work direction, training, guidance, and feedback while remaining actively involved in daily operations and problem solving.
Ability to review transaction support, identify discrepancies, exceptions, and potential financial, compliance, or operational risks; determine follow-up; recommend corrective action; and escalate issues when necessary.
Ability to understand and troubleshoot financial systems and workflow issues.
Ability to work independently, prioritize competing responsibilities, anticipate operational needs, and manage recurring payroll, accounts payable, month-end, and year-end deadlines.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and commitment to accurate financial records.
Ability to communicate accounting, payroll, and system requirements clearly and practically.
Ability to develop, document, and improve procedures and workflows.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment within established policies and internal controls.
Strong computer skills and ability to learn software programs required for assigned tasks.
Must reside in Larimer or Weld County; candidates outside these counties may be provided up to six months to relocate, with limited exceptions potentially considered.
Ability to perform the described physical functions, with reasonable accommodations available as applicable.

Nice To Haves

Post-secondary education in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field; equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Experience with payroll systems and accounting or property management software.
Experience with Yardi and Paylocity.
Experience in affordable housing, property management, governmental, nonprofit, or other regulated environments.

Responsibilities

Process bi-weekly payroll after time-entry review and confirmation that payroll is ready for processing.
Review and validate payroll data and supporting documentation, research and resolve discrepancies, and identify or escalate potential compliance and control issues.
Complete post-submission payroll activities, including initiating and reconciling HSA, FSA, and retirement contributions and transfers; verifying funding and disbursements; and preparing and posting accounting entries and reconciliations.
Prepare payroll registers, reports, journal entries, allocations, and supporting documentation, including month-end and year-end activities.
Maintain payroll records and support compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and internal controls.
Perform payroll tax reconciliations and support quarterly and year-end payroll reporting, including W-2 preparation and reconciliation and related tax filings as applicable.
Oversee day-to-day accounts payable operations to ensure invoices, payments, and related transactions are accurate, timely, and compliant with procedures and controls.
Provide work direction, training, guidance, and daily oversight to accounts payable staff; monitor workflow and workload, prioritize deadlines, review work, and advise on issue resolution and escalation.
Support procurement, purchase-order, invoice-approval, and payment workflows; follow up on discrepancies, exceptions, or incomplete documentation.
Review vendor master changes and payment support in accordance with dual-control and fraud-prevention procedures.
Identify payment risks, unusual transactions, control weaknesses, and recurring processing issues; coordinate follow-up and escalate concerns as appropriate.
Support the Accounting Manager by monitoring payroll and accounts payable activities, identifying issues or gaps, recommending solutions, and coordinating department priorities.
Prepare and support accounting entries, schedules, reconciliations, reports, and other payroll- and accounts-payable-related accounting work.
Support financial reporting, budgeting, audit requests, and other assigned accounting activities.
Review transaction support, identify discrepancies and exceptions, determine follow-up, and escalate issues when necessary.
Troubleshoot payroll, accounts payable, and related system or workflow issues; resolve operational issues within established policies and controls and recognize when management input or approval is needed.
Help maintain operational continuity during absences or workload increases through prioritization, workflow coordination, cross-training, and reassignment of work.
Identify opportunities to strengthen internal controls, improve accuracy, streamline processes, and reduce recurring errors or inefficiencies.
Maintain confidentiality of employee, payroll, vendor, and financial information and follow applicable policies, procedures, and controls.
Participate in training and educational opportunities for ongoing professional development.
Maintain regular and prompt attendance in the workplace.
Perform other related duties as assigned and serve as essential personnel in emergencies.