Payroll Accountant

KEEN Footwear • Portland, OR

13h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Payroll Accountant serves as the primary connection between Payroll and Accounting across all companies, ensuring payroll activity is accurately recorded, reconciled, and reflected in the company’s financial records. The role owns payroll-related journal entries, general-ledger reconciliations, bonus and paid-time-off accruals, payroll liability accounts, and financial reporting support. Working independently and across functions, the Payroll Accountant identifies and resolves discrepancies, strengthens controls, and supports a cohesive flow of information between payroll operations and financial accounting.

The position also supports continued development of UKG- and SAP HANA-related processes, integrations, and reporting. It partners with Payroll, Accounting, Finance, Benefits, technical teams, and UKG to improve processes, resolve payroll tax issues, and support financial close and audit requirements. The role is based in the Portland, Oregon area and follows a hybrid work model, generally requiring on-site work four days per week.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and directly relevant experience.
• Six years of progressive experience in payroll accounting, payroll operations, general accounting, or a closely related area.
• Experience preparing journal entries, performing general-ledger and balance-sheet reconciliations, and supporting financial close activities.
• Experience in a multi-state payroll environment, including payroll taxes, benefits, deductions, and employer-paid costs.
• Experience calculating and reconciling bonus, PTO, severance, deferred compensation, and other compensation-related accruals.
• Strong understanding of payroll accounting, controls, account reconciliations, and the relationship between payroll transactions and financial reporting.
• Ability to independently manage complex payroll-accounting work with accuracy, sound judgment, and accountability.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including researching discrepancies, identifying root causes, and implementing sustainable solutions.
• Strong systems aptitude, including understanding payroll data flows, integrations, account mapping, and downstream financial impacts.
• Ability to communicate clearly and build effective working relationships across Payroll, Accounting, Finance, Benefits, and technical teams.
• Ability to prioritize competing deadlines, maintain confidentiality, and consistently deliver accurate work within payroll and close timelines.
• Demonstrated initiative in improving processes, automation, controls, and cross-functional coordination.
• Ability to influence outcomes and provide subject-matter guidance without formal people-management authority.
• Equivalent combinations of experience and education may substitute on a year-for-year basis when they clearly indicate the ability to perform the essential functions.

Nice To Haves

• Payroll or accounting certification, such as CPP, FPC, CPA, or CMA.
• Experience with UKG and SAP HANA.

Responsibilities

• Own the payroll accounting lifecycle, including reviewing payroll registers, funding reports, and system-generated accounting files; preparing and parking payroll-related journal entries; and ensuring wages, taxes, benefits, deductions, bonuses, and employer-paid expenses are accurately reflected in the general ledger.
• Calculate, maintain, and reconcile bonus, PTO, and other payroll-related accruals.
• Reconcile payroll liability, clearing, and balance-sheet accounts; research discrepancies and root causes; and coordinate timely resolution with Payroll, Accounting, Benefits, and other stakeholders.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close by preparing reconciliations, accruals, schedules, and supporting documentation.
• Establish and document consistent payroll accounting processes, controls, reconciliation standards, approval requirements, and handoffs between Payroll and Accounting.
• Support internal and external audits by preparing payroll reports, account reconciliations, and documentation and responding to auditor questions.
• Partner on UKG and HANA implementations, enhancements, and integrations, including account mapping, testing, data validation, and issue resolution.
• Identify opportunities to streamline, automate, and strengthen payroll accounting processes, controls, and reporting.
• Prepare payroll-related financial reports and analysis and respond to questions from Finance, People & Culture, and business leaders.
• Stay current on payroll accounting practices, regulatory requirements, and system capabilities that may affect payroll processing or financial reporting.
• Partner with UKG to research and resolve payroll tax discrepancies, agency notices, filing corrections, and audit inquiries, documenting and addressing issues in a timely manner.
• Prepare and submit annual payroll tax filings and related reports not completed by UKG, ensuring accurate submission by applicable deadlines.

What This Job Offers

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