What we're looking forWe are seeking a detail-oriented Multi-State Payroll Accountant to manage end-to-end payroll operations across multiple U.S. states. This role ensures accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for employees in varying tax jurisdictions, while partnering closely with People Ops to navigate the complexities of multi-state employment law and taxation. Beyond processing payroll, this role owns the accounting side of payroll: preparing and posting payroll journal entries, reconciling payroll-related balance sheet accounts (accrued wages, PTO liability, benefits, garnishments), and ensuring payroll costs are accurately reflected in the general ledger each close cycle. You'll work closely with the broader Accounting team to ensure payroll data ties out cleanly for month-end and year-end reporting.
Arcadia is open to fully remote candidates and employees have access to co-working spaces.
#LI-REMOTE
What you'll do:- Process bi-weekly payroll for employees across multiple entities and 30+ states, ensuring accuracy of wages, deductions, garnishments, and tax withholdings
- Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, including SUI/SUTA rates, state income tax withholding, and local tax jurisdictions
- Register and maintain state and local tax accounts as the company expands into new states
- Reconcile payroll tax filings (941, 940, state quarterly returns, W-2s, W-2Cs) and coordinate with third-party tax filing vendors
- Reconcile payroll general ledger accounts monthly and resolve discrepancies with the Accounting team
- Respond to employee inquiries regarding pay, deductions, and tax withholding across jurisdictions
- Manage year-end payroll processes, including W-2 preparation, corrections, and annual reconciliations
- Support internal and external payroll audits, providing documentation and variance explanations
- Identify and implement process improvements to increase payroll accuracy and efficiency
- Stay current on multi-state payroll legislation and proactively flag compliance risks
What will help you succeedMust Haves- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- 3+ years of payroll accounting experience, with at least 2 years processing payroll across multiple states
- Strong knowledge of multi-state payroll tax rules, reciprocity agreements, and wage/hour laws
- Experience with payroll systems such as Rippling, ADP, Paylocity, UKG, or similar
- Proficiency in Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, reconciliations)
- Strong understanding of GAAP as it relates to payroll accruals and journal entries
- High attention to detail and ability to manage confidential information with discretion
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines
Nice to Haves- CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) designation
- NetSuite accounting software experience
Benefits:- "Remote first" culture - work anywhere in the continental US as long as you have a reliable internet connection
- Flexible PTO - no accrued hours and no limit on the number of vacation days exempt employees can take each year
- 11 annual holidays
- 10 days sick leave
- Up to 2 weeks bereavement leave
- 2 volunteer days off
- 2 professional development days off
- Parental Leave Benefits for ALL parents
- 75-95% employer cost coverage for medical, dental, and vision benefits for employees and dependents
