Compensation Accountant

keystone group; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Discretionary Bonus

401(k) Contribution

Competitive Benefits Package

Job summary

Keystone group is seeking a Compensation Accountant to join their Finance team in Boston, MA. This hybrid role involves managing the full accounting lifecycle for compensation-related activities including payroll and bonuses.

The ideal candidate holds an active CPA license and has considerable experience in compensation accounting within multi-entity environments. In addition to an annual salary, employees benefit from a competitive benefits package and an annual discretionary bonus.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including public accounting at a Big 4 firm.
• Experience in compensation accounting, technical accounting, or closely related areas.
• Strong understanding of multi-jurisdiction payroll complexity.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and post compensation-related journal entries per close timelines.
• Own reconciliations for compensation-related balance sheet accounts.
• Coordinate with Payroll to reconcile data to the general ledger.

Skills

CPA License

Accounting for Payroll Entries

Excel Proficiency

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Active CPA License

5 Years Accounting Experience

Tools

ERP Systems

Workday

Job description

Keystone is a premier economics, technology, and strategy consulting firm built to help companies lead through transformation. As breakthrough innovations reshape industries, redefine competition and change our society, complex and highly competitive ecosystems emerge. Keystone advises technology leaders, Fortune 100 companies, their legal counsel, and governments on business, economic, litigation, and regulatory strategy in relation to these innovations and competitive eco‑systems. We operate globally from offices in New York City, Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, London, Dubai, and Washington, D.C.

We are growing quickly and looking for a Compensation Accountant to join our Finance team.

This is an exciting opportunity for a technically strong accounting professional to own the full accounting lifecycle for compensation‑related activity, including payroll, bonuses, equity, benefits, reconciliations, and close support across a multi‑entity, multi‑country environment.

About the Compensation Accountant Role

The Compensation Accountant will report to the Assistant Controller and serve as a key member of the accounting close process. This individual will partner closely with Compensation, Recruiting, FP&A, and Payroll to ensure compensation activity is recorded accurately, reconciled thoroughly, and supported by clear documentation.

This role is well suited to a CPA with public accounting training and private company experience who brings strong technical judgment, discretion with sensitive compensation data, and a continuous improvement mindset. The role is based in Boston, MA on a hybrid schedule with three days per week in the office.

Key Responsibilities

Compensation Accounting and Close

• Prepare, review, and post compensation‑related journal entries in accordance with monthly, quarterly, and annual close timelines, including payroll, accrued bonuses, sign‑on bonuses, retention bonuses, and other variable compensation.
• Own the accurate and timely recording of equity compensation expense, including stock options, RSUs, and other equity instruments, in accordance with ASC 718 or applicable standards.
• Record and reconcile benefits‑related accounting entries, including 401(k) employer contributions, profit sharing, and other employee benefit programs.
• Maintain detailed close checklists and supporting documentation for compensation accounts to ensure consistency, auditability, and timely close execution.

Reconciliations and Multi‑Country Accounting

• Own reconciliations for compensation‑related balance sheet accounts, including accrued compensation, accrued bonuses, equity award liabilities, deferred compensation, and benefits payables.
• Investigate and resolve reconciling items on a timely basis, escalating aged or material items with clear explanations and proposed resolutions.
• Coordinate with Payroll to reconcile payroll register data to the general ledger and resolve discrepancies.
• Manage compensation accounting entries across multiple international jurisdictions, accounting for local statutory requirements, currency considerations, social charges, employer contributions, and entity‑level reporting needs.

Cross‑Functional Partnership, Audit, and Controls

• Serve as the primary accounting liaison to Compensation, Recruiting, FP&A, and Payroll, providing timely and accurate data for headcount reporting, budget‑to‑actual analysis, and compensation planning.
• Partner with Recruiting on the accounting treatment of sign‑on bonuses and retention awards, including appropriate amortization schedules.
• Support FP&A with compensation variance analysis and explanations for period‑over‑period movements in compensation expense.
• Prepare compensation‑related audit schedules and supporting documentation, and respond to auditor requests in a timely and complete manner.
• Ensure compensation accounting policies and procedures are documented and consistently applied across entities and jurisdictions.

Process Improvement and Technology

• Evaluate compensation accounting processes and identify opportunities to automate, streamline, and improve the quality and speed of delivery.
• Contribute to ERP enhancements, payroll system integrations, and related tool implementations that affect compensation accounting workflows.
• Develop scalable templates, workpapers, and documentation that support consistency as Keystone grows in headcount and geographic scope.

What You’ll Bring

• Active CPA license.
• Approximately 5 years of progressive accounting experience, including public accounting experience at a Big 4 firm and substantive private company experience in compensation accounting, technical accounting, or a closely related area.
• Hands‑on experience accounting for payroll entries, corporate bonuses, sign‑on bonuses, retention bonuses, equity‑based compensation, 401(k), profit sharing, and other employee benefits.
• Experience owning compensation‑related account reconciliations across multiple accounts, entities, and countries.
• Understanding of multi‑jurisdiction payroll complexity, statutory requirements, local employer contributions, and related compensation accounting considerations.
• Strong close discipline, with a track record of meeting deadlines in a high‑volume, multi‑entity environment without sacrificing accuracy or completeness.
• High proficiency with ERP systems and intermediate‑to‑advanced Excel skills, including comfort working with large and complex data sets.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to partner effectively with HR, Recruiting, FP&A, Payroll, and other non‑accounting stakeholders.
• Exceptional organization, attention to detail, and professionalism in preparing workpapers, reconciliations, and communications.
• Maturity and discretion in handling highly confidential compensation data across all levels of the organization.
• Familiarity with equity plan accounting, multi‑currency consolidation, HRIS platforms such as Workday or ADP, payroll‑to‑GL integrations, process automation, or accounting technology initiatives is a plus.
• At Keystone we believe diversity matters. At every level of our firm, we seek to advance and promote diversity, foster an inclusive culture, and ensure our colleagues have a deep sense of respect and belonging. If you are interested in growing your career with colleagues from varied backgrounds and cultures, consider Keystone.

Compensation and Benefits

In addition to annual salary, you will receive an annual discretionary bonus, 401(k) contribution, and a competitive benefits package. Actual compensation within the range will depend upon the level at which the individual is hired, based on skills, experience, and qualifications.

Annual Salary Range: $90,000 – $110,000 USD.