Payroll Accounting Manager

Hersha Hospitality Management LP•Camp Hill, PA

22d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Payroll Accounting Manager serves as a strategic leader and key bridge between the Payroll and Finance/Accounting departments. This role is responsible for overseeing the full integrity, reconciliation, and compliance of all payroll and benefit general ledger accounts across the company’s managed portfolio. The position partners closely with Payroll, Finance, People Support (HR), and regional field operations leadership to drive process improvements and accurate financial reporting.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
4+ years of progressive accounting experience
At least 2+ years specifically managing payroll accounting functions or supervising a team
Expertise in Microsoft Excel (complex formulas, modeling, pivot tables) and financial reporting systems/ERP platforms.
Deep experience with integrated Payroll/HRIS platforms (Workday or UKG preferred).
Strong background in P&L analysis, multi-location balance sheet reconciliations, and complex tax data extraction.
Exceptional leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills with a proven track record of supporting and presenting to cross-functional executives and field managers.
Strong strategic thinking skills with the ability to resolve complex accounting discrepancies independently.

Nice To Haves

CPA, Certified Payroll Professional, or Master's degree preferred
Hospitality or multi-entity management experience preferred

Responsibilities

Supervise and mentor the payroll accounting team, managing daily operations, work distribution, and professional development.
Oversee the preparation, review, and posting of all complex payroll-related journal entries, ensuring precise mapping to the general ledger across corporate and managed properties.
Direct the monthly, quarterly, and year-end reconciliation of all corporate and property-level payroll balance sheet and tax accounts.
Lead the payroll portion of the month-end close process, ensuring strict adherence to Finance deadlines and GAAP principles.
Partner with executive leadership in the annual budget process for payroll, benefits, and labor costs across corporate and managed portfolios.
Function as the primary audit lead for internal, external, and government audits related to payroll accounting, taxes, and benefits.
Ensure standard operating procedures meet internal control standards (SOX/internal compliance).
Design, review, and deliver advanced ad-hoc and standard financial reporting, P&L variance analyses, and labor cost trends for regional operations and executive leadership.
Continuously evaluate, automate, and optimize payroll accounting workflows, system integrations, and data flows between payroll software and the general ledger.
Serve as the subject matter expert to hotel accounting teams, advising on complex payroll accounting issues, tax updates, and benefit allocations.
Maintain the highest standards of discretion and security regarding sensitive employee and financial data.