Director, Payroll and Accounting

Sun Life • Wellesley, MA

1d • $139,000 - $208,500 • Hybrid

About The Position

Sun Life embraces a hybrid work model that balances in-office collaboration with the flexibility of virtual work. Our team members and leaders are expected to foster connection and teamwork by being present in the office at least 2 days per week. Join Sun Life as a Manager of Payroll & Employee Benefits Accounting, where you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring financial accuracy and compliance for our entire US workforce. This high-impact position offers the opportunity to lead critical financial operations, mentor a talented team, and drive operational excellence across multiple benefit programs and pension plans. Reporting directly to the AVP of Product Accounting, you'll oversee essential financial processes that directly support our employees' compensation, benefits, and retirement security.

Requirements

• BS/BA in Accounting or Finance (CPA strongly preferred)
• 7-10 years private accounting OR 5-7 years combined public/private experience
• 2-3 years supervising and developing accounting professionals
• Strong command of GAAP; working knowledge of NAIC and IFRS
• Proficiency with SAP, Workday, Hyperion, and Tableau
• Advanced Excel skills (including VBA)
• Experience with multi-entity reporting structures and monthly close processes
• Exposure to ADP Global View and ADP Payroll processes
• Knowledge of federal and state tax preparation and reporting
• Understanding of NAIC accounting rules for employee benefits
• Experience with pension plan and 401(k) accounting and audits
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines
• Strong delegation and workload management capabilities
• Continuous improvement mindset with strategic thinking ability

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Team Development Lead and mentor a small team of accounting professionals, fostering their growth and technical expertise Drive continuous process improvements and eliminate exceptions across all payroll and benefit accounting operations Partner with cross-functional teams including Payroll Processing, Treasury, Corporate Tax, Employee Benefits, Human Resources, and Total Rewards
• Financial Stewardship & Compliance Oversee bi-weekly ADP payroll accounting for all Sun Life US employees Manage complete accounting lifecycle for Sun Life Pension Plan, 401(k), and RIA Savings Plans Ensure accurate GL accounting for all company-sponsored employee benefit plans Approve payroll and employee benefit wires through the Web Series banking system Serve as Business Unit Control for critical SOX compliance processes
• Audit & Reporting Excellence Lead annual audits of Pension and 401(k)/RIA Savings Plans Prepare comprehensive NAIC employee benefit footnotes and disclosures Coordinate with external actuarial consultants on quarterly and annual plan valuations Prepare Form 5500 tax filings and audited financial statements for retirement plans Support US Corporate Tax return preparation with accurate financial data
• Month-End & Close Leadership Direct daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes Perform GL account reconciliations and resolve material variances Prepare and/or approve corporate audit workpapers for Canadian parent company reporting Provide insightful financial analysis and reporting to senior management

Benefits

• At Sun Life, we prioritize your well-being with comprehensive benefits, including generous vacation and sick time, market-leading paid family, parental and adoption leave, medical coverage, company paid life and AD&D insurance, disability programs and a partially paid sabbatical program.
• Plan for your future with our 401(k) employer match, stock purchase options and an employer-funded retirement account.
• Enjoy a flexible, inclusive and collaborative work environment that supports career growth.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager