Payroll & Accounting Specialist

mPower•Bethesda, MD

11h

About The Position

mPower, Inc. is seeking an experienced, detail-oriented Payroll & Accounting Specialist to manage payroll operations and support accounting, invoicing, and other financial administrative activities across the organization. The role works with HR, Contracts, program management, and accounting teams, and requires ownership, accuracy, organization, and discretion in a deadline-driven environment. Experience supporting payroll and accounting functions in federal government contracting is highly desirable. The specialist manages biweekly payroll, reviews timesheets and labor charges, verifies employee transactions, researches discrepancies, and allocates labor costs to contracts, projects, and indirect charge codes. The position also supports payroll records, audits, reconciliations, year-end reporting, procedures, and internal controls. The role coordinates day-to-day accounting activities and supports monthly close, accounts receivable and payable, invoice preparation and validation, expense reports, travel reimbursements, corporate card transactions, financial records, reporting, and audits. It also contributes to process improvements and standard operating procedures, supports compliance with applicable payroll regulations and federal contracting requirements, and handles sensitive employee and financial information confidentially.

Requirements

Associate's or bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field.
At least 5 years of progressive experience in payroll administration, accounting support, or a closely related field, including substantial hands-on payroll processing experience.
Demonstrated ability to independently manage payroll processes accurately.
Strong understanding of payroll regulations, wage and hour requirements, payroll deductions, and labor reporting.
Experience reviewing timesheets, reconciling payroll records, and resolving payroll discrepancies.
Proficiency with payroll, timekeeping, and accounting software.
Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including analyzing, reconciling, and validating data.
Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to manage competing deadlines.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and maintain confidentiality.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting payroll and accounting functions within a federal government contracting environment.
Familiarity with DCAA timekeeping requirements and government contract labor charging practices.
Experience with Deltek Costpoint, Unanet, or similar government contracting accounting systems.
Knowledge of direct and indirect labor costs, contract billing, and financial reconciliations.
Experience supporting accounts payable, accounts receivable, and month-end accounting activities.

Responsibilities

Manage and process accurate, timely biweekly payroll for employees across multiple contracts and departments.
Review and reconcile employee timesheets, labor charges, leave balances, overtime, and payroll adjustments.
Verify payroll information, including new hires, terminations, compensation changes, bonuses, deductions, and other employee transactions.
Identify, research, and resolve payroll discrepancies before processing.
Allocate labor costs to the appropriate contracts, projects, and indirect charge codes.
Coordinate with HR to ensure employee information, benefit deductions, and payroll changes are accurately reflected.
Maintain payroll records and supporting documentation in accordance with company policies and applicable regulations.
Support payroll-related audits, reconciliations, and year-end reporting.
Develop and maintain payroll procedures, checklists, and internal controls.
Coordinate day-to-day accounting and financial administrative activities.
Support monthly accounting close by preparing, reviewing, and reconciling financial information and supporting documentation.
Assist with accounts receivable, including invoice preparation, supporting documentation, payment tracking, and reconciliation.
Coordinate with Contracts and program management to validate labor and other costs supporting customer invoices.
Support accounts payable, including vendor invoice review, expense processing, and payment coordination.
Review and reconcile employee expense reports, travel reimbursements, and corporate credit card transactions.
Research and resolve accounting discrepancies with internal stakeholders and accounting partners.
Maintain accurate financial records, trackers, and supporting documentation.
Assist with financial reporting, audits, and other accounting-related activities.
Identify opportunities to improve payroll and financial administrative processes.
Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, checklists, and quality-control measures.
Support compliance with applicable payroll regulations, federal government contracting requirements, and company policies.
Handle sensitive payroll, employee, and financial information with the highest level of confidentiality.
Collaborate across departments to streamline workflows, improve communication, and resolve operational issues.