[Remote] Payroll Accountant Lead

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Robert Half is a company focused on providing staffing solutions, and they are seeking a Payroll Accountant Lead. This role is responsible for leading time and labor accounting operations, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and integration across various functions, while also managing payroll operations and supporting audits.

Responsibilities

• Lead the analysis, validation, posting, and reconciliation of time and labor data to financial ERP and payroll systems for assigned business groups in accordance with company policy, accounting requirements, and applicable federal, state, and international labor laws
• Serve as the functional lead and subject matter expert for time and labor accounting processes, including labor distribution, financial posting, compliance controls, and issue resolution
• Monitor and analyze labor and payroll-related transactions to identify discrepancies, compliance concerns, and process breakdowns; perform root cause analysis and drive issues through resolution
• Ensure time and labor processes, system configurations, and related controls comply with FLSA requirements, company policies, SOX controls, and other applicable government or regulatory requirements
• Partner cross-functionally with Payroll, HR, Benefits, Finance, Accounting, Compliance, Legal, Audit, and IT to ensure seamless integration of timekeeping, payroll, and financial processes
• Lead the identification and resolution of complex timecard and labor posting issues, including documenting requirements, developing test scenarios, supporting testing, and implementing corrective actions
• Research and analyze time and labor data to support employee inquiries, compliance reviews, audits, trend analysis, and issue resolution related to payroll, legal, HR, benefits, compensation, and finance matters
• Support internal and external audit activities by preparing documentation, researching issues, providing records, and ensuring compliance with internal controls and SOX requirements
• Recommend and implement process improvements to enhance compliance, accuracy, efficiency, standardization, and internal customer support
• Develop, document, and maintain procedures, controls, workflows, and training materials to support consistent execution and scalability of time and labor accounting processes
• Lead or support cross-functional projects involving system enhancements, process transformations, acquisitions/integrations, and operational improvements related to time and labor
• Provide guidance and functional support to less experienced team members and serve as an escalation point for complex or high-impact issues
• Manage day-to-day payroll operations in coordination with ADP Managed Services, including payroll inputs(including time data, one-time payments, adjustments, retroactivity, and employee updates), validations, approvals, and post-payroll activities
• Coordinate garnishment setup with ADP, ensuring all required documentation, vendor communication, and compliance requirements are completed
• Partner with the 401(k) vendor and ADP to support required reports, funding coordination, file transmissions, and compliance-related activities
• Coordinate closely with ADP on payroll processing, payroll data validation, reconciliation, and issue resolution throughout the payroll cycle
• Perform ongoing payroll audits and validations across employee data, deductions, taxes, banking, and pay components to ensure accuracy and data integrity
• Ensure payroll activities remain compliant with internal payroll controls, audit requirements, tax regulations, and statutory obligations
• Support payroll reporting, reconciliation, and operational readiness activities to maintain smooth day-to-day payroll operations post go-live

Skills

• Requires strong knowledge of Workforce Now in one or more modules (end to end Payroll Processing, Year end reporting and tax filings)
• Strong knowledge of timekeeping, labor distribution, payroll processes, and financial system interfaces
• Working knowledge of federal and state wage and hour laws, FLSA requirements, and internal control environments
• Experience with audit support, compliance reviews, and SOX control execution
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, exercise sound judgment, and influence stakeholders across functions
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Experience working for a US Government contractor and an understanding of FAR/DFAR
• Strong computer skills in Outlook, Word, and Excel; experience with ERP, payroll, and timekeeping systems preferred
• Experience using reporting tools, automation, and AI-enabled technologies to improve efficiency and decision-making

Company Overview