Payroll Accountant

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Under the direction of the Assistant Controller, the Payroll Accountant is responsible for: semi-monthly and final payroll processing; third party payroll processing and assisting with EOR service; assisting employees with payroll-related requests; processing payroll tax payments; preparing and reporting state and federal tax returns; maintaining and payment tax-related personnel documentation; and preparing audit reports related to payroll for all corporate staff. This is a complex administrative support position requiring prior experience and education, including prior experience in payroll processing.

LOGISTICS

Internews has US offices in Arcata, CA and Washington, DC which support a hybrid workforce with staff working remotely, fully in-office, or partially remote. This is a remote-based role, and candidates based anywhere in the United States will be considered. Our ideal candidate is based in the Pacific time zone. 

OUR COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING A CULTURE OF BELONGING

We are an organization of dynamic, mission-driven individuals who are passionate about our core values and about supporting positive change in the world. We pride ourselves on our commitment to innovation and flexibility. We believe that diverse teams are strong teams and work to support an ethic of belonging, dignity, and justice for all people. Our current team includes a mix of genders, parents and non-parents, and people of multiple races, nationalities, ages, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are an EEO employer and encourage candidates of all races, genders, ages, orientations, ethnicities, and national origins to apply, and welcome those with alternative backgrounds and experiences. 

DAY-TO-DAY TASKS will include: 

Reporting (Internal and External) 

• Processes all state and federal quarterly and annual tax returns including but not limited to W2s, W3, 941s; prepares and ensures filings are completed timely. 
• Provides payment information in response to requests for Verifications of Employment. 
• Ensures accurate analysis of pay and deduction items and secure dissemination for reports by other corporate team members. 

Planning, Budgeting & Analysis

• Analyzes timesheets for accuracy and monitors leave balances for proper accrual calculation and usage according to policy. 
• Completes complex analysis of pay and deduction items to complete accurate and timely payments to staff. 

Accounting 

• Analyzes data closely, ensuring corporate payroll is completed accurately, in accordance with established policies and procedures, and in a timely manner. 
• Ensures time and payment information is completed for accurate payments from third party payroll provider for HQ staff.
• Identifies potential errors in reports and other documentation and flags to supervisor. 
• As appropriate, may explain payroll processes and procedures to staff members to help resolve issues. 
• Maintains payroll shared inbox, responding to or escalating messages as appropriate. 
• Maintains and monitors timesheets for accuracy. Ensures all necessary approvals and leave time usages is in adherence with Internews' policies. 
• Maintains all tax-related workbooks to ensure accuracy and completeness, escalating issues to supervisor as needed.
• Monitors correspondence from payroll tax authorities and resolves or escalates issues as appropriate. 
• Prepares and reports all state and federal monthly, quarterly, and annual tax returns, including but not limited to W2s, W3s, and 941s, for review by Assistant Controller.
• Reconciles general ledger balance sheet and prepares reconciliation schedules monthly.
• Process timesheet connection requests and ensures receipt of proper approval for connections. 
• Responds to requests for payroll-related information such as labor or leave balance requests. 
• Prepares and enters journal entries into accounting system, including but not limited to monthly vacation liabilities and advance-related entries. 
• Monitors all payroll-related deductions, allowances, and reimbursements.
• Processes all retirement/pension deferrals and related payments to third party administrators as required by law. 
• Ensures all payroll tax payments (federal, state, and international are accurate and processed timely. 
• Establishes new accounts (SUI, SWT, etc.) with appropriate tax authorities and corresponding vendors in corporate ERP software.

Treasury

• Processes IEU transfer in trust balance via bank accounts and completes associated entries.

Program Finance Support

• Processes EOR administration, ensuring timely payments to staff. 

General Management

• Recommends actions to be taken for identified financial and business risk situations and participates in the continuous improvement of accounting processes. 

Audit

• Provides support for audits by reviewing schedules, providing documentation for payroll related items. 

Training

• Provides support and guidance for all accounting staff for all Headquarters financial policies and procedures. 

Values and Flexibility

• Maintains confidentiality in all payroll and personnel matters. 
• In all duties, upholds Internews' Core Values and demonstrates commitment to fostering a culture of belonging. 
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Required

•  University degree in finance, accounting, business, or another related field OR equivalent lived/professional experience. 
• Minimum three years of relevant professional experience, including at least one year of prior experience in payroll processing or tax compliance. 
• General knowledge of not-for-profit Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). 
• Intermediate Excel skills, including formula usage and pivot tables. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word). 
• Keen attention to detail, with strong organizational skills. 
• Proven ability to self-manage competing deadlines and prioritize a shifting workload.
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills.
• High degree of social adaptability and sensitivity to cultural differences. 

Preferred

Note: Candidates who do not have these preferred qualifications, but who are interested and willing to learn, are encouraged to apply. 

• Experience in multi-state and/or international payroll and tax law research. 
• Working knowledge of Uniform Guidance 2CFR200. 
• Experience with enterprise-level non-profit accounting software. 

This is an hourly, non-exempt position; the range for this position is equivalent to US $58,400 - US $73,000 per annum.