Payroll Accountant

$62,962 - $77,147/Yr

Nw Harvest - Seattle, WA

Full-time - Mid Level

Seattle, WA

About the position

The Payroll Accountant at Northwest Harvest plays a crucial role in overseeing and administering payroll functions, ensuring compliance with payroll laws, and delivering high-quality payroll processing. This position collaborates with the People team to maintain accurate payroll records and supports an equitable and inclusive organizational culture, contributing to a positive employee experience.

Responsibilities

• Maintain confidentiality of all financial and personal information
• Oversee and monitor the bi-weekly payroll process, ensuring accuracy and timeliness
• Act as a partner with the People team by implementing, maintaining, and reviewing payroll and accounting systems
• Validate and maintain accurate records and reports of all payroll transactions
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, wage, and hour laws
• Ensure data integrity through regular internal audit and analysis
• Identify and recommend updates to payroll procedures to enhance efficiency and compliance
• Ensure that all employees are paid accurately and in a timely manner
• Ensure accurate assessment of taxes and timely submission of tax payment to state and federal government agencies
• Calculate net salaries while accounting for all deductions and withholdings
• Prepare accounting files, records, and schedules
• Monitor paid and unpaid leaves
• Process overtime earnings or holiday deductions
• Resolve payroll problems and answer employee questions concerning payroll
• Assist with the development and maintenance of proper internal control procedures
• Prepare journal entries and provide backup for bank reconciliations
• Prepare payroll journal entries and reconcile the balance accounts
• Participate in payroll audits to ensure accuracy and compliance
• Prepare quarterly Washington Labor and Industries report
• Train staff who are assisting with the payroll process and review their work as needed
• Coordinate with internal departments and teams to ensure cohesive payroll practices
• Provide responsive service to all staff with questions and training needs on payroll system
• Work collaboratively with the finance team and people team to maintain internal payroll stability

Requirements

• Associate's degree in accounting, finance, or a certification in Payroll
• Minimum 2+ years payroll and accounting experience
• Extensive knowledge of payroll functions including preparation, balancing, internal control, and payroll taxes
• Excellent organizational skills and high attention to detail
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Intermediate to advanced knowledge with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Ability to understand individuals who have experienced poverty or food insecurity
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills

Nice-to-haves

• Non-Profit experience
• ADP Workforce Now experience
• Certification in Payroll Administration
• Experience with public funding and nonprofit accounting
• Demonstrated experience in payroll preparation and payroll tax reporting

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Life/AD&D insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Vacation and Sick leave
• 8 paid holidays
• Floating holidays
• Birthday holiday
• Supplemental benefits options