Senior Payroll & Accounting Specialist

Why Join the HWP Group? 

Health & Wellness Partners, LLC (HWP), is a medical and scientific communications agency that collaborates with life science industry stakeholders to develop award-winning solutions that advance patient care and transforms scientific content into compelling live and virtual user experiences through digital platforms, congress engagement, and more. We bring clients, providers, and patients outstanding educational programming paired with innovative digital and interactive dissemination vehicles. 

We are committed to making a difference in health care and in the lives of our team members. We aim to provide every employee with a job they love in a culture focused on career growth, well-being, and community outreach. We have been recognized as both an MM+M Best Place to Work and an Inc. Best Workplace.  

For more information, visit thehwpgroup.com. 

What You Need to Know

We’re looking to add a Senior Payroll & Accounting Specialist to the Finance & Accounting team. The Senior Payroll & Accounting Specialist is responsible for supporting the Finance & Accounting function across payroll processing, treasury and cash management, and day-to-day accounting operations. This role manages semi-monthly and out-of-cycle payroll activities, coordinates payroll-related reporting and reconciliations, supports bank activity and cash forecasting, assists with ad hoc projects, and helps ensure transactions are accurately recorded in the general ledger. The position requires strong attention to detail, confidentiality, cross-functional communication, and the ability to analyze payroll and accounting activity, identify issues, and follow through to resolution.  

What You’ll Do

The Senior Payroll & Accounting Specialist is accountable to the Corporate Controller, the CFO, and VP Human Resources. In addition, this role will:

Payroll Processing & Payroll Accounting

• Process semi-monthly and off-cycle payrolls accurately and on schedule, including new hires, terminations, bonuses, commissions, overtime, and other payroll adjustments
• Partner with Human Resources to ensure accurate payroll data, benefits, timekeeping, leave tracking, and employee status changes
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws, tax regulations, and company policies
• Prepare, reconcile, and analyze payroll transactions, journal entries, general ledger files, and supporting reports
• Investigate payroll variances and resolve issues related to pay, benefits, taxes, deductions, and allocations
• Support year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing, audits, and compliance reporting
• Assist with payroll process improvements, documentation, and policy development

Treasury, Cash Management & Banking

• Monitor daily cash activity, bank balances, and funding requirements
• Record cash receipts, disbursements, transfers, and other banking transactions in the general ledger
• Prepare weekly cash forecasts and perform bank reconciliations, researching, and resolving outstanding items
• Coordinate bank transfers and funding activities with internal stakeholders and banking partners

General Accounting & Month-End Support

• Prepare journal entries and assist with month-end close activities
• Maintain accurate documentation to support audits, compliance, and management reporting
• Participate in special projects, process improvements, system enhancements, and cross-functional Finance initiatives
• Coordinate administrative and compliance filings and related activities with external service providers

What You’ll Have

• Payroll experience required, preferably including multi-state payroll, semi-monthly payroll cycles, projected payroll, off-cycle payments, payroll adjustments, benefit deductions, and year-end processing
• Advanced knowledge of ADP Workforce Now, including payroll processing, reporting, Time & Attendance, and payroll data analysis
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll laws, payroll tax requirements, and compliance
• Treasury, cash management, bank reconciliations, cash forecasting, payment operations, or Accounts Payable experience preferred
• General accounting experience, including journal entries, reconciliations, month-end close, and general ledger support
• Experience with NetSuite or another ERP system preferred
• Experience supporting state tax registrations, corporate filings, or other administrative compliance activities preferred
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and identify discrepancies
• High level of confidentiality and professionalism when handling payroll, financial, and employee information
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across HR, Finance, Accounting, Accounts Payable, and external banking partners

What We Offer

• Immediate eligibility for all benefits, including medical, dental, vision, group term life, short-term and long-term disability
• Benefits 100% company paid
• 401k plan employer matching contributions
• Eligibility for company-sponsored incentive plans
• Generous PTO, including a week off in December for the holidays 
• Paid volunteer time off 
• Tuition reimbursement
• On-site gym and other employee wellness initiatives 
• Employee Assistance Program
• Comp pay or comp time for onsite weekend work
• Availability of cell-phone stipends, based on business need
• Leadership development training program and other career development programs 
• Remote and hybrid work schedule options
• Office locations in Upper Saddle River NJ (HQ), Red Bank NJ, and San Diego CA
• Salary range: $80,000 – $95,000 annually. Note: Actual salary will depend on background and experience.

M/F/D/V

Please note, we will only respond to candidates we deem qualified