Payroll Staff Accountant

Central Oregon Pediatric Associates•Bend, OR

13h•Hybrid

About The Position

As our Payroll Staff Accountant, you’ll lead end-to-end payroll processing while ensuring accuracy, compliance, and financial integrity across payroll and related liabilities. From reconciling payroll and benefits to supporting reporting and internal controls, your work keeps employees paid correctly and the organization financially sound. In this highly collaborative role, you’ll partner with HR, Finance, and external vendors to maintain a reliable payroll experience and strong accounting practices. We’re looking for someone who thrives on precision, brings strong problem-solving skills, and takes pride in keeping critical financial processes running smoothly.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required
Associate degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field preferred
Valid Oregon driver’s license (if position requires travel between locations)
Minimum of 3 years of payroll processing experience in a multi-employee environment
Experience reconciling payroll registers, benefit deductions, and payroll-related liabilities
Working knowledge of federal and state payroll taxes, wage and hour regulations, and payroll compliance requirements
Experience using payroll systems (e.g., Paylocity, ADP, or similar platforms)
Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage deadlines and maintain accurate records
Demonstrated organizational and problem-solving skills

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting accounts payable functions, including invoice entry or payment processing
Experience preparing or supporting general ledger reconciliations and journal entries
Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel (e.g., lookups, pivot tables, basic data analysis)

Responsibilities

Process end-to-end bi-weekly payroll, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and adherence to deadlines
Review payroll inputs including earnings, deductions, taxes, benefit elections, and time data for accuracy
Process off-cycle payrolls including final paychecks, PTO payouts, corrections, and manual adjustments in accordance with policy and wage laws
Ensure payroll funding, tax filings, and liability payments are completed accurately and timely
Maintain payroll records, audit trails, and supporting documentation
Research and resolve payroll discrepancies and employee inquiries
Prepare and post payroll journal entries, including wages, taxes, benefits, and accruals
Reconcile payroll registers and reports to general ledger accounts each pay period
Maintain and reconcile payroll liability accounts, including taxes, garnishments, and benefit withholdings
Reconcile benefit provider invoices (medical, dental, vision, retirement, and other programs) to payroll deductions and enrollment records
Investigate and resolve discrepancies between vendor billings, payroll records, and financial statements
Support month-end and year-end close activities related to payroll and labor expense
Provide general support for accounts payable processing, including invoice entry and coding
Assist with weekly check runs and payment preparation
Maintain vendor records and supporting documentation
Respond to routine vendor inquiries regarding payment status
Support 1099 tracking and year-end reporting processes
Assist employees with payroll self-service items such as tax withholding updates and direct deposit changes
Support payroll reporting, system maintenance, and documentation
Maintain strict confidentiality of employee and payroll information
Ensure payroll activities comply with federal, state, and local wage and tax regulations
Follow established internal controls and maintain clear audit trails
Support internal and external audits related to payroll and benefits
Identify opportunities to improve processes, accuracy, and efficiency