Payroll Accountant

Description

We are looking for a Payroll Accountant to join a steel manufacturing organization in Lisle, Illinois on a Long-term Contract assignment. This position supports a complex payroll accounting environment with a strong emphasis on reconciliation, audit review, payroll reporting, and financial accuracy across multiple entities. The role also contributes to selected payroll processing activities while helping address outstanding payroll work tied to post-acquisition catch-up efforts.

Responsibilities:

• Validate payroll calculations by reviewing employee time and pay data to confirm accurate earnings and deductions.

• Reconcile payroll results to year-end reporting, including W-2 balances, and investigate variances through detailed audit work.

• Examine employee tax information and assist with payroll tax analysis to support compliant reporting.

• Contribute to backlog reduction efforts related to acquisition-driven payroll cleanup and reconciliation activities.

• Provide payroll accounting support across 23 payroll groups, ensuring timely review and issue resolution.

• Perform payroll-related cash balancing and general ledger reconciliation for transactions spanning 9 companies.

• Produce and evaluate payroll reports using Cognos Analytics to identify discrepancies, trends, and outstanding items.

• Apply accounting fundamentals, including debits and credits, to payroll entries, reconciliations, and reporting accuracy.

• Process payroll for two smaller business units while coordinating with stakeholders to clear exceptions promptly.

The hourly pay range for this position is $33 to $40/hour. Benefits available to contract/temporary professionals, include medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit roberthalf.gobenefits.net for more information. Our specialized recruiting professionals apply their expertise and utilize our proprietary AI to find you great job matches faster.

Requirements • Proven experience managing full-cycle payroll in a corporate setting.

• Background supporting multi-location or multi-state payroll operations.

• Required knowledge of union payroll practices.

• Strong experience in payroll accounting, account reconciliation, and audit-focused review.

• Ability to handle payroll reporting, W-2 balancing, and payroll tax analysis.

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas and data analysis for reporting.

• Required experience with Cognos Analytics.

• Solid understanding of payroll cash activity, general ledger reporting, and discrepancy follow-up.

Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles.

Robert Half works to put you in the best position to succeed. We provide access to top jobs, competitive compensation and benefits, and free online training. Stay on top of every opportunity - whenever you choose - even on the go. Download the Robert Half app (https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/mobile-app) and get 1-tap apply, notifications of AI-matched jobs, and much more.

Our specialized recruiting professionals apply their expertise and utilize our proprietary AI to find you great job matches faster.

All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit roberthalf.gobenefits.net for more information.

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