Payroll Accountant

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Payroll Accountant contributes to the mission of Northwest Harvest by effectively overseeing and administering the full scope of activities associated with Northwest Harvest payroll functions and exemplifying the stewardship of its timekeeping system.

The position works in collaboration with the People team and ensures a high level of outstanding customer service through the delivery of quality, timely, and accurate payroll processing while also ensuring the highest compliance standards, this includes but is not limited to preparing bi-weekly payroll, payroll tax reporting, general ledger maintenance and reconciliations.

The Payroll Accountant plays a vital role in supporting an equitable and inclusive organization culture and fostering a positive employee experience.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Payroll

• Maintain confidentiality of all financial and personal information
• Oversee and monitor the bi-weekly payroll process, ensuring accuracy and timeliness, this includes but is not limited to deductions, status changes, new hires and terminations
• Acts as a partner with the People team by implementing, maintaining, and reviewing payroll and accounting systems to ensure timely and accurate processing of payroll transactions including salaries, benefits, garnishments, taxes, and other deductions
• Validates and maintains accurate records and reports of all payroll transactions
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, wage, and hour laws and best practices
• Ensure data integrity through regular internal audit and analysis by providing records and documentation to auditors on an as needed basis
• 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
• Ensures payroll and tax documents are accurate
• Prepares accounting files, records, and schedules
• Monitors paid and unpaid leaves
• Processes overtime earnings or holiday deductions
• Resolve payroll problems (e.g., overlooked bank holidays, late payments, etc.).
• Answers employee questions concerning payroll

Accounting

• Assist with the development and maintenance of proper internal control procedures
• Prepare journal entries and provide back up for bank reconciliations
• Prepare payroll journal entries and reconcile the balance accounts
• Participate in payroll audits to ensure accuracy and compliance
• Ensure that financial records for assigned portfolio are consistent with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and financial compliance requirements are met
• Responsible for payroll reports relating to the annual audit preparation
• Prepare quarterly Washington Labor and Industries report
• Serve as backup to the staff accountants as needed

Collaboration

• Train staff who are assisting with the payroll process, and review their work as needed
• Coordinates with internal departments and teams to ensure cohesive payroll practices that support payroll processing
• Provide responsive service to all staff with questions and training needs on payroll system
• Works collaboratively with the finance team and people team, to maintain internal payroll stability for the organization

Performs other duties as assigned.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

• Demonstrate the initiative to learn and enhance skills that promote anti-racism, cultural competency and an understanding of oppression and its impact.
• Participate in intentional learning efforts, including events relating to understanding and dismantling institutional racism and building cultural competency 

RELATIONSHIPS:

Internal: Frequent contact with leadership and staff. Communicate daily to ask questions, receive, and provide information, discuss payroll issues, explain, or interpret payroll policies and practices, and provide direction and support leaders and staff regarding payroll & accounting issues.

External: Regular contact with stakeholders, vendors, and professional associates and networks.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A combination of the real-life experience, education, and training listed below which provides an equivalent background to perform the work of this position.

Successful completion of a Background check is required.

Knowledge of:

• 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, Excel, PPT and Outlook, Teams, and Zoom and ability to work efficiently and effectively with other organizational platforms such as ADP, SharePoint, Microsoft Dynamics NAV systems

Ability To:

• Understand individuals who have experienced poverty or food insecurity. 
• Demonstrate interest and commitment to supporting equity and inclusion for members of historically marginalized groups including racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA+ populations and people living with disabilities.
• Exceptional attention to details to ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency.

• Exhibit good judgment in making accounting choices, while seeking guidance as appropriate
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage deadlines; manage competing priorities; and maintain high standards for accuracy and productivity.
• Ability to quickly perform routine tasks with consistent accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to identify and solve problems; ability to recommend proposals for increased efficiency of operations.
• Commitment to ensuring the financial integrity of the accounting information, and ability to handle highly confidential information with discretion.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, and a desire to work in an environment requiring teamwork, conflict resolution, and respect for others. Ability to work well with diverse populations.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

Associate’s degree, in accounting, finance, or a certification in Payroll or an equal combination of education and relevant work experience with a personal orientation as a lifelong learner.

EXPERIENCE:

Minimum 2 + years payroll, accounting experience.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Non- Profit experience is desired but not required
• ADP Workforce Now experience is desired but not required
• Certification in Payroll Administration is a plus

• Experience with public funding and nonprofit accounting is desired but not required

• Demonstrated experience in payroll preparation and payroll tax reporting is desired

DISCLAIMER:

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, or to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job. As an adaptive organization, responsibilities can and will change in alignment with greater efficiencies and mission metrics.

BENEFITS AND OTHER COMPENSATION:
Northwest Harvest offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package this includes but is not limited to; medical/dental/ 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; New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day, Floating holidays for you to use should you observe a holiday not outlined in Northwest Harvests current observed holidays or at your discretion, and birthday holiday. Employees are eligible to participate in payroll deducted supplemental benefits i.e., Flexible Spending account-HRA and DCE, various AFLAC and New York Life plans.