Position Summary:

The Senior Accounting Manager is responsible for overseeing day-to-day accounting operations with a strong emphasis on payroll, financial close, and accuracy of financial reporting. This role ensures the integrity of financial data, supports the monthly close process, and maintains compliance with organizational policies and regulatory requirements.

Working closely with the Director of Accounting and Finance, this role plays a critical part in executing core accounting functions, strengthening payroll processes, and ensuring alignment between payroll, general ledger activity, and financial reporting. The Senior Accounting Manager works in partnership with Human Resources and Operations to support accurate payroll processing, time tracking, and workforce-related financial data.

Key Responsibilities:

Accounting Operations and Close

• Manage day-to-day accounting activities, including general ledger, journal entries, reconciliations, and accruals.
• Support and execute the monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Prepare and review financial reports and supporting schedules for internal management.
• Ensure all transactions are properly recorded and coded by fund, grant, and department.
• Maintain balance sheet reconciliations and resolve discrepancies in a timely manner.

Payroll Management (Core Focus Area)

• Lead payroll processing in partnership with HR, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Ensure payroll data is accurately recorded and reconciled within the general ledger.
• Review and validate payroll inputs, including time tracking, allocations, and adjustments.
• Monitor payroll-related controls, including approvals, system access, and audit trails.
• Support alignment of payroll with grant allocations, departmental budgets, and workforce planning.
• Troubleshoot payroll discrepancies and work closely with HR and system providers (e.g., ADP) to resolve issues.

Compliance and Controls

• Ensure adherence to internal accounting policies, procedures, and controls.
• Support compliance with GAAP, OMB Uniform Guidance, and grant-related requirements.
• Assist with audit preparation, including gathering documentation and responding to auditor requests.
• Maintain documentation for payroll, accounting entries, and reconciliations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work in partnership with Human Resources to ensure alignment between payroll, employee data, and financial records.
• Collaborate with FP&A to support accurate budget-to-actual reporting and payroll forecasting.
• Partner with Operations to ensure consistency in time tracking, systems, and financial processes.
• Support training and guidance to staff on financial policies, time tracking, and expense processes.

Systems and Process Improvement

• Support use and optimization of financial systems, including NetSuite and payroll systems (e.g., ADP).
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll and accounting workflows for efficiency and accuracy.
• Assist in strengthening integration between payroll, accounting, and reporting systems.
• Contribute to process documentation and standardization across accounting functions.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• CPA or CPA-track strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 5–8 years of progressive accounting experience, including significant payroll responsibility.
• Strong experience with payroll systems (e.g., ADP) and general ledger integration.
• Experience with NetSuite or similar ERP systems preferred.
• Knowledge of nonprofit accounting and grant compliance preferred.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Effective communicator with the ability to work cross-functionally.

Core Competencies

• Payroll and Accounting Expertise
• Attention to Detail and Accuracy
• Accountability and Ownership
• Problem Solving and Analytical Thinking
• Process Improvement Orientation
• Cross-Functional Collaboration

Position Highlights:

Department: Finance

Reports To: Director of Accounting and Finance

Location: Remote (with occasional travel as needed)