5+ years of payroll, benefits, and compensation accounting experience
Hands-on experience with commission and bonus accruals
3+ years of hands-on NetSuite experience
Working knowledge of ASC 718 equity compensation accounting
Experience with major payroll platforms like ADP or Paylocity
Advanced Excel skills and strong attention to detail
Responsibilities
Own payroll accounting across all entities and reconcile payroll liability accounts
Reconcile payroll provider registers to the GL and resolve variances
Account for employee benefits and reconcile carrier invoices
Manage 401(k) accounting and support annual plan administration
Accrue and reconcile commissions and bonuses
Prepare month-end accruals for payroll and benefits
Oversee multi-state payroll tax compliance and resolve notices
Benefits
An attractive total compensation package
Employer-sponsored health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
401k with a 5% match
Full Job Description
Description
Compensation Transparency
Salary: $120,000-$130,000 + 10% Bonus Potential
Job Summary We're looking for a Compensation & Benefits Accounting Manager to own the accounting for everything we pay our people. You'll manage payroll accounting, benefits and 401(k), commissions and bonuses, payroll accruals, multi-state payroll tax compliance, and equity compensation across a growing group of entities. You'll partner closely with HR, Payroll, and the Senior Accounting Operations Manager to keep people costs accurate, well-controlled, and clearly explained.
What Success Looks Like in the First Year
Payroll, benefits, and 401(k) accounts are reconciled every month with no unexplained variances.
Commission and bonus accruals land within an agreed tolerance of actual payouts.
Every acquired firm's employees move onto Earned payroll and benefits within the integration window.
Payroll tax filings are on time in every state, and the 401(k) plan audit closes with no significant findings.
Key Responsibilities
Payroll Accounting
Own payroll accounting across all entities, including payroll journal entries in NetSuite and reconciliation of all payroll liability accounts.
Reconcile payroll provider registers to the GL and bank activity each pay cycle, and resolve variances with HR and Payroll.
Review off-cycle payments, terminations, and retro adjustments for correct accounting treatment.
Benefits & 401(k)
Account for employee benefits, including medical, dental, life, disability, HSA/FSA, and other plans. Reconcile carrier invoices to enrollment and the GL.
Manage 401(k) accounting: employee deferrals, employer match and safe-harbor contributions, true-ups, and timely remittance to the plan.
Support annual 401(k) plan administration, including nondiscrimination testing data, Form 5500 support, and the employee benefit plan audit.
Commissions & Bonus Accounting
Accrue, and reconcile commissions and bonuses, including advisor and producer compensation, sales incentives, and discretionary and retention bonuses.
Partner with HR, Sales, and Finance on plan design, payout calculations, and controls over incentive compensation.
Apply ASC 340-40 to capitalize and amortize incremental costs of obtaining contracts, where applicable.
Payroll Accruals & Close
Prepare month-end accruals for payroll, bonuses, commissions, PTO, payroll taxes, and benefits.
Maintain close schedules and supporting documentation for all compensation-related balance sheet accounts.
Multi-State Payroll Tax Compliance
Oversee federal, state, and local payroll tax compliance, including withholding, unemployment (SUI/FUTA), and quarterly and annual filings.
Monitor state registration and nexus as employees work remotely across states, and resolve payroll tax notices.
Review year-end W-2 reporting and reconcile it to payroll and the GL.
Equity Compensation Accounting
Account for equity and equity-like awards under ASC 718, such as profits interests, incentive units, or phantom equity. This includes grant tracking, valuation inputs, expense recognition, and forfeitures.
Maintain the equity award ledger, and partner with Legal, HR, and valuation advisors on new grants and plan changes.
Flux Analysis & Ad-Hoc Support
Prepare monthly flux analysis on compensation and benefits expense and related balance sheet accounts, with clear explanations of the drivers.
Support headcount and compensation cost reporting for budgeting, forecasting, and leadership.
Handle ad-hoc analyses and projects, such as compensation plan modeling, benefits renewals, and audit and diligence requests.
Key Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance
5+ years of payroll, benefits, and compensation accounting experience, including multi-state payroll tax compliance.
Hands-on experience with commission and bonus accruals, 401(k) accounting, and benefit plan audits.
3+ years of hands-on NetSuite experience, including payroll journal imports and reconciliations.
Working knowledge of ASC 718 equity compensation accounting.
Experience with at least one major payroll platform (ADP, Paylocity, Rippling, or similar).
Advanced Excel skills and strong attention to detail with confidential data.
Preferred Requirements
CPA or CPP (Certified Payroll Professional).
Experience in financial services, wealth management/RIA, insurance brokerage, or professional services.
Experience at a PE-backed or acquisitive company, including payroll and benefits integrations.
Familiarity with ASC 340-40, ASC 805 compensation considerations, and profits interest or incentive unit plans.
Experience with commission management tools and HRIS integrations.
Benefits
An attractive total compensation package
Employer-sponsored health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
