Project Accountant & Payroll Specialist

Harder+Company Community Research•San Francisco, CA

5d•$66,712 - $100,068•Remote

About The Position

Harder+Company Community Research is seeking an experienced Project Accountant & Payroll Specialist to join their collaborative team. This organization provides community-based, action-oriented evaluation and capacity-building services to public agencies, foundations, nonprofits, and other social-sector organizations. The position supports project accounting, client billing, payroll administration, financial reporting, cash management, and employee expense processing. The role works closely with Project Directors, Human Resources, and colleagues throughout the organization to help ensure financial information is accurate, timely, complete, and useful for decision-making.

Requirements

At least five years of accounting and payroll experience, including project accounting and client billing, preferably in a professional services organization.
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field.
Proficiency with QuickBooks Online, Microsoft 365 (especially Excel), and Adobe Acrobat.
Experience with ADP or another payroll platform.
The ability to learn new systems quickly.
Exceptional accuracy, organization, and attention to detail.
Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet recurring deadlines, and work independently in a remote environment.
Sound judgment in spotting discrepancies and risks early, raising them promptly, and proposing practical solutions.
Clear, professional communication and effective collaboration with colleagues, company leadership, and clients.
Discretion in handling confidential employee, payroll, and financial information.
Demonstrate a commitment to equity and contribute thoughtfully to an inclusive workplace and to our work with clients and communities.

Nice To Haves

Government contract billing experience preferred.
Experience with BQE Core or a comparable project accounting system preferred.

Responsibilities

Prepare accurate, timely monthly invoices for professional services contracts, including government contracts with specific billing formats, documentation, and submission requirements.
Review contract terms, budgets, and billing instructions, and maintain project and contract information in QuickBooks Online and BQE Core.
Work with Project Directors to confirm billable time, expenses, and deliverables, and assemble supporting documentation such as labor detail, expense backup, and progress reports.
Track billing deadlines and move invoices through review, approval, and submission.
Research and resolve billing discrepancies, and monitor accounts receivable, following up with clients on overdue balances.
Maintain organized records that support audits and month-end close and recommend improvements to billing processes.
Process biweekly payroll through ADP, reviewing timesheets, deductions, reimbursements, and other changes before each run.
Maintain employee payroll records in ADP in coordination with Human Resources, including new hires, terminations, compensation changes, and leave.
Reconcile payroll reports, benefit and retirement deductions, and payroll-related general ledger entries.
Prepare payroll and labor cost reports, and support payroll tax filings, year-end processing, and W-2 review with ADP.
Respond to employee payroll questions and help strengthen payroll controls and procedures.
Post cash receipts and prepare weekly cash, accounts payable, invoicing, and accounts receivable reports for company Partners.
Produce recurring and ad hoc reports in BQE Core and provide documentation for project and financial audits.
Assist with account reconciliations, month-end close, and other accounting tasks as assigned.
Review, code, and post employee expense reports, reimbursements, and corporate credit card transactions.