Principal Payroll Accountant

Surescripts serves the nation through simpler, trusted health intelligence sharing, in order to increase patient safety, lower costs and ensure quality care. We deliver insights at critical points of care for better decisions — from streamlining prior authorizations to delivering comprehensive medication histories to facilitating messages between providers.
 

Job Summary:

The Principal Payroll Accountant serves as a senior individual contributor and subject‑matter expert responsible for the integrity, accuracy, and optimization of the company’s payroll accounting and related financial processes. The Principal Payroll Accountant manages end‑to‑end payroll accounting activities, provides ownership over complex accounting analyses, and plays a key role in system design, controls, and continuous improvement.

In addition to overseeing payroll processing through Workday Payroll and OneSource Virtual (OSV), they will partner closely with Finance, HR, and external vendors to ensure compliance with US GAAP, regulatory requirements, and internal control standards. The Principal Payroll Accountant is also responsible for reviewing and assessing the current Workday Payroll configuration, identifying opportunities for process and system improvements, and leading enhancements that strengthen accuracy, efficiency, and scalability.

This team member will also be responsible for other supporting activities within the accounting ecosystem.

Responsibilities:

Payroll Processing and Systems

• Process payroll semi-monthly timely and accurately in collaboration with benefits team, including funding of 401k accounts

• Reconcile benefit accounts after each payroll to ensure money properly credited into account holders' accounts   

• Prepare benefits account reconciliations including payroll, 401k and HSAs, flexible spending accounts  

• Prepare year-ended W2s and manage preparation and filing of all other quarterly and annual tax returns in conjunction with OSV to ensure compliance with all state and local payroll laws.

• Review current Workday Payroll configuration to increase effectiveness and efficiency

Month-end Close

• Prepare and post a wide variety of journal entries including inter-company funds transfers, monthly pre-approved ACHs, and all other cash disbursements in NetSuite

• Prepare logical and accurate analyses and documentation supporting journal entries and any other accounting records

• Prepare and post journal entries to accrue for bonuses and other payroll related expenses

• Prepare various account reconciliations including PTO accrual, wage garnishment, medical, dependent care, transit pass, parking, HSAs and all other payroll related expense accounts   

• Prepare and review expense analysis for month over month and actual versus budget fluctuations.

Bank Activities

• Import bi-weekly AP check files to BOA thru BOA portal for positive pay and resolve any checks with exception issues with BOA 

• Manage ACH “whitelist” to ensure appropriate ACHs are processed for taxation purposes.

Concur

• Manage processing of Concur weekly expense report payments   

• Assist employees with any Concur issues (submit expense reports, login Concur issues, etc).

Other

• Prepare audit schedules and documentations for annual financial audit 

• Play key role in annual 401k audit 

• Work closely with Financial Planning & Analysis group with variance analysis  

• Handle quarterly electronic payments to Federal and States for corporate income taxes 

• Setup new vendors as requested

• Initiate wire transfers as requested

• Clerk Purchase Orders in NetSuite and serve as stakeholder resource for common questions

• Serve as back-up for Procure – To – Pay function team members

• Special projects as assigned

Qualifications:       

Basic Requirements:

• Bachelor degree in Accounting or related field or equivalent experience

• 8+ years using technical accounting principles under US GAAP

• 8+ years of experience using advanced functions in Microsoft Excel

• 6+ years of experience with payroll processing

• 3+ years of experience with general ledger accounting systems

• 2+ years of experience with Workday Payroll / OneSource Virtual (OSV)

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Excellent customer service, attention to detail and follow up skills

• Ability to work independently and escalate issues appropriately

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with variety of financial reporting tools

• Experience with NetSuite ERP

• Workday U.S. Payroll Certification

Location:

• Preference for a candidate in commuting distance to our Arlington, Virginia office for training, meeting, and collaboration purposes.

Keywords: Workday Payroll, One Source Virtual (OSV), Netsuite, accountant, accounting, payroll processing

Surescripts embraces flexibility through its Flexible Hybrid Work model for most positions. This model allows employees to work virtually while still utilizing our offices as collaboration centers. With alignment and agreement from your leadership, you can come and go from the office as needed.
 

To be considered for employment, applicants must have a valid U.S. work authorization allowing work without restrictions with Surecripts in the U.S. At this time, we are unable to provide support or provide sponsorship for immigration benefits such as work visas. Additionally, we do not participate in academic training programs or work-study programs through an academic institution that require employer endorsement of F-1/CPT or F-1/STEM.

What You’re Like 

You make informed decisions through the power of data. You know the right time to take a risk and the right time to play it safe. And you want to compete in a challenging marketplace to deliver solutions that make a positive impact on healthcare.
 

What We’re Like

We’re organized and analytical. (Though you might expect that given our department.) But we aren’t just bean counters. We’re inquisitive and curious. We know how to work cross-functionally to get things done. Most importantly, we know that our work supports our bottom line—and therefore supports our goal of better healthcare for all. 
 

What the Work is Like

In Surescripts Finance & Risk Management, we aren’t intimidated by transaction volumes in the billions. We think on our feet as we measure, interpret and report the company’s progress, and after we study both past and present trends, we use what we learn to shape our future through a careful balance of risk vs. reward.
 

Why Wait? Apply Now

We’re a midsize company. This means you’re not just another employee ID number. Here, you can build real relationships and feel supported by truly awesome people with diverse backgrounds and talents in an innovative and collaborative work culture. We strive to create an environment where you can be yourself, share your ideas and work your way. We offer opportunities for employee development, as well as competitive compensation packages and extensive benefits.
 

At Surescripts, base pay is one part of our Total Rewards Package (which may also include bonus, benefits etc.) and is determined within a range. The base pay range for this position is $111,100 - $135,700 per year. Your base pay may vary within or outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including (but not limited to) your qualifications, skills, experience, and location.

Benefits include, but are not limited to, comprehensive healthcare (including infertility coverage), generous paid time off including paid childbirth and parental leave and mental health days, pet insurance, and 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting. To learn more, review the Keep You and Yours Healthy, Balancing Work and Life, and Where Talent Takes Shape links under the Better Benefits. Better Work. Better Life section of our careers site.
 

Physical and Mental Requirements

While performing duties of this job, an employee may be required to perform any, or all of the following: attend meetings in and out of the office, travel, communicate effectively (both orally and in writing), and be able to effectively use computers and other electronic and standard office equipment with, or without, a reasonable accommodation. Additionally, this job requires certain mental demands, including the ability to use judgement, withstand moderate amounts of stress and maintain attention to detail with, or without, a reasonable accommodation.

Surescripts is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.