Senior Payroll Accountant

Southland Industries•Garden Grove, CA

13h

About The Position

The Senior Payroll Accountant provides critical payroll, accounting, and analytical support for multi-state Union and Non-Union payrolls, with a primary focus on supporting the Union Lead Accountant. This position requires strong knowledge of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), Union wages and benefits, payroll compliance, reconciliations, and advanced Excel. The ideal candidate will have experience supporting multiple Union payrolls and CBAs, including wage classifications, overtime, fringe benefits, deductions, Union reporting, prevailing wage, and certified payroll. A key responsibility is serving as a high-level Excel resource, developing macros, automated tools, reconciliation templates, and reporting solutions that improve payroll accuracy, efficiency, and controls.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field required.
5–8+ years of progressive payroll and/or accounting experience.
Strong understanding of Union wages, classifications, overtime, fringe benefits, deductions, and CBA requirements.
Advanced to expert-level Excel skills required.
Proven experience developing Excel macros, automated tools, complex formulas, PivotTables, and reconciliation reports.
Strong analytical, accounting, reconciliation, and problem-solving skills.
Exceptional attention to detail and ability to meet strict payroll deadlines.
Strong communication and collaboration skills.
Ability to handle confidential payroll information with discretion.
Ability to work independently while knowing when to escalate complex issues.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting Union payroll and multiple Collective Bargaining Agreements preferred.
Experience with Prevailing Wage and Certified Payroll preferred.
Experience with payroll systems such as Workday, Rhumbix, COINS, or comparable systems; COINS preferred.
Construction industry payroll experience.
Experience supporting multiple Union trades or jurisdictions.
Experience with CBA payroll audits, Union reporting, prevailing wage, and certified payroll.
Advanced Excel automation, VBA/macros, Power Query, and data analysis experience.
Experience supporting payroll system implementations and process improvements.

Responsibilities

Support the Union Lead Accountant with weekly multi-state Union payroll processing and CBA requirements.
Review and apply CBA wage rates, classifications, overtime, fringe benefits, deductions, and other payroll requirements.
Research CBA-related payroll questions and escalate complex interpretations to the Union Lead Accountant.
Assist with Union reporting, audits, prevailing wage, and certified payroll requirements.
Reconcile and validate Union payroll data, deductions, benefits, and contributions.
Research and resolve payroll discrepancies in partnership with Payroll, HR, Accounting, and Operations.
Maintain accurate supporting documentation for Union payroll and CBA compliance.
Serve as an Excel subject-matter resource for the Union Payroll team.
Create and maintain Excel macros and automated tools to streamline payroll processes and reduce manual work.
Develop advanced spreadsheets for reconciliations, audits, payroll validation, reporting, and data analysis.
Utilize advanced Excel functions, including XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, SUMIFS, COUNTIFS, PivotTables, and complex formulas.
Analyze large payroll datasets to identify errors, variances, missing information, duplicate payments, and other exceptions.
Develop and maintain standardized Excel templates and automated controls.
Test, validate, and document macros and automated payroll tools.
Perform payroll, Union, system-to-system, and payroll-to-General-Ledger reconciliations.
Audit payroll data for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable CBAs.
Investigate discrepancies and provide findings and supporting documentation to the Union Lead Accountant.
Assist with internal and external payroll audits.
Assist with payroll system testing, implementations, upgrades, and enhancements.
Validate Union rates, pay codes, deductions, and system changes.
Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes through automation, reporting, and stronger controls.
Partner with IT, HR, Accounting, and Payroll to resolve system and process issues.

Benefits

401(k) plan with 50% company match (no cap) and immediate 100% vesting
Medical, dental, and vision insurance (100% paid for employee)
Annual bonus program based upon performance, achievement, and company profitability
Term life, AD&D insurance, and voluntary life insurance
Disability income protection insurance
Pre-tax flexible spending plans (health and dependent care)
Paid parental leave
Paid holidays, vacation, and personal time
Training/professional development opportunities and company-paid memberships for professional associations and licenses
Wellness benefits