Senior Payroll Accountant

CJK Group, Inc.•Brainerd, MN

3d•Remote

About The Position

CJK Group, headquartered in Brainerd, Minnesota, is a growing print and print technology organization with locations across the United States, Europe, and India. We are looking for an experienced Senior Payroll Accountant to join our Finance team. In this role, you will serve as the critical link between payroll and accounting, ensuring payroll transactions are accurately recorded in the general ledger and that payroll related accounts are reconciled each pay period and throughout the month end close process. This position is ideal for an accounting professional who enjoys working with complex reconciliations, process improvements, and cross-functional collaboration.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
Five to ten years of accounting experience with direct payroll accounting, reconciliations, and payroll tax preparation.
Experience working with payroll systems, preferably ADP Workforce Now, and ERP/general ledger systems.
Strong understanding of debits, credits, accrual accounting, and general ledger reconciliations.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
Exceptional attention to detail with strong analytical and problem solving abilities.
Excellent communication and organizational skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast paced environment while maintaining accuracy.

Nice To Haves

CPA designation or progress toward CPA certification.

Responsibilities

Prepare and post payroll related journal entries, including wages, taxes, benefits, garnishments, and accrued payroll liabilities.
Reconcile payroll related general ledger accounts, including payroll clearing, accrued PTO, employer tax liabilities, benefits payable, retirement withholdings, and intercompany allocations.
Partner with Payroll and Finance to resolve discrepancies between payroll system output and general ledger postings.
Review payroll register data prior to posting to ensure accuracy of coding by department and cost center.
Support month end and year end close activities, including payroll accruals for unpaid wages and bonuses.
Assist with W-2 reconciliations, payroll tax filings, state withholding and unemployment notices, 1099 reporting, census filings, and payroll related audits.
Prepare documentation and supporting schedules for financial, workers' compensation, and 401(k) audits.
Maintain documentation and internal controls related to payroll accounting processes.
Establish and maintain state registrations for withholding, unemployment, and local payroll taxes.
Research and resolve variances between payroll reports and financial statements.
Collaborate with HR and Payroll on new earnings codes, benefit changes, system updates, and general ledger mapping.
Track and manage state unclaimed property reporting.
Create new general ledger mappings and system configurations to support acquisitions.
Prepare ad hoc financial reporting and labor cost analysis for Finance leadership.
Participate in payroll accounting projects and continuous process improvements.