Payroll Accountant

Description

We are looking for a Payroll Accountant to support payroll accounting and reconciliation activities for a non-profit organization in Oakland, California. This 3 month Contract position is ideal for a detail-focused individual who can manage payroll-related accounting, benefits balancing, and retirement plan support while helping maintain accurate and timely payroll operations. The role works closely with payroll, accounting, and HR teams to strengthen compliance, resolve discrepancies, and support reliable financial reporting.

Responsibilities:

• Record and post payroll-related journal entries on a biweekly and monthly basis, ensuring wages, deductions, employer taxes, and benefit-related accruals are accurately reflected in the general ledger.

• Reconcile payroll registers, funding activity, bank disbursements, and ledger balances to investigate variances and correct exceptions in a timely manner.

• Review payroll reports before and after processing to confirm data accuracy, adherence to internal controls, and compliance with applicable payroll regulations.

• Maintain reconciliations for payroll balance sheet accounts such as accrued compensation, tax liabilities, benefit accruals, and wage garnishment balances.

• Examine quarterly and annual payroll tax documents, including Form 941 and W-2 reporting, and assist with corrections or amended filings when needed.

• Reconcile 403(b) contributions, employer matches, and loan repayments after each payroll cycle to confirm accurate deductions and timely remittance.

• Compare benefit carrier invoices and enrollment information against payroll deductions to identify missed collections, retroactive changes, and billing discrepancies.

• Provide backup support for end-to-end payroll processing, including time review, pay adjustments, direct deposit maintenance, and special payroll runs.

• Assist with month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close tasks, including payroll-related reconciliations, audit support, and required reporting documentation.

• Partner with HR and finance stakeholders to improve payroll workflows and strengthen coordination between payroll and related systems.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related discipline.

• At least 3 years of experience in payroll accounting, including payroll journal entries, account reconciliations, and payroll-related financial analysis.

• Practical experience handling full-cycle payroll and supporting multi-state payroll environments.

• Working knowledge of payroll tax reporting requirements, payroll compliance standards, and general ledger processes.

• Experience using ADP Workforce Now, or similar payroll platforms.

• Advanced Excel skills, including functions, pivot tables, and data analysis techniques used for reconciliation and reporting.

• Familiarity with employee benefit accounting and 403(b) retirement plan reconciliation, preferably within healthcare, nonprofit.

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.

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.

© 2025 Robert Half. An Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/Disability/Veterans. By clicking “Apply Now,” you’re agreeing to Robert Half’s Terms of Use (https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/terms) and Privacy Notice (https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/privacy) .