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Accounting Manager Payroll Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary The Accounting Manager - Payroll & Compliance will oversee the end-to-end administration, execution, and financial alignment of our weekly and bi-weekly payroll operations. Reporting ...

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We are seeking a Payroll & Accounting Manager to lead the administration, oversight, and continuous improvement of the firm's global payroll and compensation accounting processes. This role is ...

We are seeking a Payroll & Accounting Manager to lead the administration, oversight, and continuous improvement of the firm's global payroll and compensation accounting processes. This role is ...

Manager, Payroll

Falls Church, VA ยท On-site

$95K - $140K/yr

The Payroll Manager will provide support to the Corporate Accounting department for general ledger activity and payroll account reconciliations and will ensure confidentiality and security of payroll ...

Payroll & Accounting Manager Employment Type: Exempt - FT Location: Seattle, WA; New York, NY; Fort Lauderdale, FL (Hybrid, 3 days/week in office) Salary Range: USD 110,000.00 - 140,000.00 plus ...

Manager, Payroll

Redwood City, CA ยท On-site

$150K - $177K/yr

The Payroll Manager will have a hands-on role in US, UK, and EMEA payroll operations. You will help ... Responsible for all aspects of payroll accounting, such as journal entries, account reconciliations ...

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Accounting Manager Payroll information

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$44K

$95.7K

$138K

How much do accounting manager payroll jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for accounting manager payroll in the United States is $95,659.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,000.00 and $112,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an accounting manager payroll do?

An Accounting Manager Payroll oversees the payroll department and ensures that all employees are paid accurately and on time. This role involves supervising payroll staff, managing payroll processes, ensuring compliance with tax laws and regulations, and resolving any payroll discrepancies. The Accounting Manager Payroll also collaborates with other departments, prepares payroll reports, and implements improvements to payroll systems and procedures. Their primary goal is to maintain the integrity, confidentiality, and accuracy of payroll operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an accounting manager payroll?

To thrive as an Accounting Manager Payroll, you need expertise in payroll processing, accounting principles, and compliance regulations, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance and significant experience in payroll management. Familiarity with payroll software such as ADP, SAP, or Workday, and relevant certifications like CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) are highly valued. Strong leadership, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help manage teams and ensure accurate, timely payroll operations. These skills and qualifications are crucial for maintaining payroll accuracy, legal compliance, and fostering a productive work environment.

How does an accounting manager payroll typically collaborate with HR and other departments to ensure accurate payroll processing?

An Accounting Manager Payroll works closely with the HR department to gather and verify employee data such as new hires, terminations, benefits, and leave records, which directly impact payroll calculations. Regular communication with department heads is also essential to resolve discrepancies, address payroll-related queries, and implement policy changes. This collaborative approach helps maintain compliance, accuracy, and timely payroll processing while fostering a cooperative work environment.

What is the difference between Accounting Manager Payroll vs Payroll Specialist?

AspectAccounting Manager PayrollPayroll Specialist
CredentialsBachelor's in Accounting or Finance, CPA preferredHigh school diploma or associate's, payroll certifications
Work EnvironmentOffice setting, managerial oversightPayroll department, administrative setting
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in companies with complex payroll needsCommon in HR and payroll departments
Primary FocusOverseeing payroll processes, compliance, reportingProcessing payroll, data entry, employee inquiries

The main difference between an Accounting Manager Payroll and a Payroll Specialist lies in their scope of responsibilities. The Accounting Manager Payroll oversees payroll operations, ensures compliance, and manages reporting, often requiring higher-level accounting credentials. In contrast, the Payroll Specialist focuses on processing payroll, data entry, and employee support. Both roles are essential in payroll management but differ in complexity and managerial duties.

More about Accounting Manager Payroll jobs

What cities are hiring for Accounting Manager Payroll jobs?

Cities with the most Accounting Manager Payroll job openings:

What states have the most Accounting Manager Payroll jobs?

States with the most job openings for Accounting Manager Payroll jobs include:

Infographic showing various Accounting Manager Payroll job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,659 per year, or $46 per hour.

Accounting Manager: Payroll & Compliance

NJ PERFORMING ARTS

Newark, NJ โ€ข On-site

$100K - $110K/yr

Other

Retirement

Re-posted 28 days ago


Job description

Job Summary

The Accounting Manager – Payroll & Compliance will oversee the end-to-end administration, execution, and financial alignment of our weekly and bi-weekly payroll operations. Reporting directly to the AVP of Finance, this role focuses on ensuring payroll processing accuracy, general ledger accuracy through payroll journals, and strict compliance with union and retirement reporting deadlines. The ideal candidate brings a strong operational accounting background with a deep expertise in managing high-volume payroll cycles and multi-layered benefit compliance.

A key focus of this position is serving as the organization’s subject-matter expert and strategic lead in establishing operational best practices for payroll benefits review and compliance. Partnering closely with the People & Organization (P&O) department, the Manager will bridge the gap between traditional payroll execution and accounting to ensure all benefit programs are executed seamlessly and meet the highest compliance standards. 

Key Responsibilities

1. Payroll Oversight & Timely Execution

  • Manage and guarantee the accurate, timely preparation and execution of weekly and bi-weekly payroll cycles, which include a mix of salaried, hourly, and union employees.
  • Ensure full compliance with New York and New Jersey wage and hour laws, standard withholding regulations, and internal policies.
  • Review, verify, and reconcile payroll registers, deductions, garnishments, and final disbursements ahead of processing deadlines.

2. P&O Collaboration & Benefits Review Best Practices

  • Partner closely with People & Organization (P&O) to execute comprehensive, routine audits of benefit elections, enrollment data, and payroll deductions.
  • Take the lead in establishing industry best practices for payroll benefits review, ensuring a seamless data flow between P&O’s HR information systems and the payroll processing.
  • Collaborate with P&O to review compliance on newly introduced fringe benefits, employee perks, and company-wide compensation adjustments, ensuring proper taxability and system configuration.

3. Payroll Accounting & Journal Entries

  • Supervise the preparation, review, and post all payroll-related journal entries to ensure proper labor allocations and accurate financial reporting.
  • Review monthly balance sheet reconciliations for all payroll, withholding, and benefit accounts, investigating and resolving any variances.
  • Review weekly and bi-weekly payroll expenses to ensure exact alignment with the general ledger and operational budgets.
  • Participate actively in the Fiscal Year Audit, serving as the primary point of contact for external auditors regarding payroll expenses, labor testing, and year-end accruals. 

4. Union Reporting & Retirement Compliance

  • Oversee the generation, accuracy, and timely submission of all weekly, monthly and quarterly union-related reports, fringe benefit statements, and remittance payments.
  • Ensure the timely processing and funding of retirement plan contributions (e.g., 401k deferrals and employer matches) in strict accordance with plan guidelines and regulatory timelines.
  • Interpret collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) to ensure proper wage rates, benefit contributions, and specialized union deductions are accurately configured in the payroll system.

5. Specialized Audits, Analysis & Ad-Hoc Projects 

  • Workers' Compensation Audit: Lead the data gathering, payroll classification reporting, and external coordination for the annual Workers' Compensation audit.
  • Retirement Audit: Spearhead the documentation and preparation for the annual retirement plan audit, ensuring employee deductions and company matches perfectly reconcile with system records.
  • 941 Reconciliation: Perform routine analysis of Form 941 filings against payroll registers and the general ledger to verify consistency across quarterly reporting periods.
  • Drive continuous operational improvements, including payroll system optimizations, automation of manual tasks, assuring workflows are accurately documented and streamlining data flow between systems and internal departments.
  • Finance Team Collaboration: Partner with the broader Finance team on various ad-hoc projects, including corporate budget forecasting, labor variance analysis, and internal compliance tracking as requested by the AVP of Finance. 



Qualifications & Skills

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
  • Experience: 5+ years of progressive payroll management and payroll accounting experience, with at least 2 years of direct people management experience.
  • Regulatory Agility: Demonstrated passion for and track record of staying ahead of federal, state (specifically NJ), and local employment law changes, with the ability to swiftly translate new regulations into operational reality.
  • Cross-Functional Partnership: Strong experience collaborating with HR/P&O teams to manage employee benefit reconciliations and optimize cross-departmental workflows.
  • Union Expertise: Proven experience handling union payrolls, complex union reporting, and specialized benefit allocations is highly preferred.
  • Technical & Analytical Skills: Advanced hands-on experience with major payroll platforms (e.g., ADP, Ultimate Software, Ceridian) and ERP general ledger systems. Expert-level Microsoft Excel skills (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables, data manipulation).
  • Certifications: Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation is a strong plus. (Note: A CPA is not required for this operational, payroll-focused role).