Payroll & Accounting Specialist

Job Responsibilities:

· Manage and process accurate, timely biweekly payroll for employees across multiple contracts and departments.
· Review and reconcile employee timesheets, labor charges, leave balances, overtime, and payroll adjustments.
· Verify payroll information, including new hires, terminations, compensation changes, bonuses, deductions, and other employee transactions.
· Identify, research, and resolve payroll discrepancies prior to processing.
· Ensure accurate allocation of labor costs to appropriate contracts, projects, and indirect charge codes.
· Coordinate with HR to ensure employee information, benefit deductions, and payroll changes are accurately reflected.
· Maintain payroll records and supporting documentation in accordance with company policies and applicable regulations.
· Support payroll-related audits, reconciliations, and year-end reporting activities.
· Develop and maintain payroll procedures, checklists, and internal controls to ensure accuracy and consistency.
· Serve as a key point of coordination for day-to-day accounting and financial administrative activities.
· Support monthly accounting close activities by preparing, reviewing, and reconciling financial information and supporting documentation.
· Assist with accounts receivable activities, including invoice preparation, supporting documentation, payment tracking, and reconciliation.
· Coordinate with Contracts and program management to validate labor and other costs supporting customer invoices.
· Support accounts payable activities, including vendor invoice review, expense processing, and payment coordination.
· Review and reconcile employee expense reports, travel reimbursements, and corporate credit card transactions.
· Research and resolve accounting discrepancies in coordination with internal stakeholders and accounting partners.
· Maintain accurate financial records, trackers, and supporting documentation.
· Assist with financial reporting, audits, and other accounting-related activities as needed.
· Identify opportunities to improve the accuracy, efficiency, and consistency of payroll and financial administrative processes.
· Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, checklists, and quality-control measures.
· Support compliance with applicable payroll regulations, federal government contracting requirements, and company policies.
· Ensure sensitive payroll, employee, and financial information is handled with the highest level of confidentiality.
· Collaborate across departments to streamline workflows, improve communication, and resolve operational issues.

Required Qualifications:

· Associate's or bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field.

· Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in payroll administration, accounting support, or a closely related field, including substantial hands-on payroll processing experience.

· Demonstrated experience independently managing payroll processes with a high degree of accuracy.

· Strong understanding of payroll regulations, wage and hour requirements, payroll deductions, and labor reporting.

· Experience reviewing timesheets, reconciling payroll records, and resolving payroll discrepancies.

· Proficiency with payroll, timekeeping, and accounting software.

· Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including the ability to analyze, reconcile, and validate data.

· Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage competing deadlines.

· Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

· Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and maintain confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications:

· Experience supporting payroll and accounting functions within a federal government contracting environment.

· Familiarity with DCAA timekeeping requirements and government contract labor charging practices.

· Experience with Deltek Costpoint, Unanet, or similar government contracting accounting systems.

· Knowledge of direct and indirect labor costs, contract billing, and financial reconciliations.

· Experience supporting accounts payable, accounts receivable, and month-end accounting activities.