Payroll Accountant

TEEMA; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 76,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

TEEMA is seeking a Payroll Accountant to ensure accurate, timely payroll across entities. You will process biweekly payroll, prepare analytics, and ensure compliance while maintaining strong controls and audit readiness.

You will collaborate with HR and Finance, handle confidential data, and contribute to process improvements in a fast-paced environment. Hybrid work with on-site and remote days is offered, requiring coordination across teams.

Qualifications

• Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree in Finance or Accounting or equivalent experience
• Minimum of three (3) years of accounting and payroll experience
• Experience with payroll software and time management systems
• Knowledge of federal and state payroll regulations
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion

Responsibilities

• Process biweekly payroll using payroll software with accuracy and balance each cycle
• Prepare payroll-related management reports and analytics
• Close monthly payroll with reconciliations and accrual reviews
• Maintain payroll system updates for employee changes and generate reports
• Support benefits administration and payroll-related audits

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Time management

Discretion

Excel proficiency

Education

Finance or Accounting degree (Assoc./Bac/Master) or equivalent

Tools

UltiPro (or similar payroll system)

Job description

Role Summary

The Payroll Accountant plays a critical role in ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll operations across multiple entities. This position is ideal for a detail-oriented accounting professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys working at the intersection of payroll, accounting, and benefits administration. The Payroll Accountant supports employees and leadership alike by delivering precise payroll processing, insightful reporting, and strong internal controls while contributing to audit readiness and continuous process improvement.

This role offers the opportunity to work collaboratively with Human Resources and Finance while supporting organizational excellence and employee satisfaction.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Process biweekly payroll using payroll software, ensuring accuracy, validation, and balancing of each payroll cycle
• Prepare and update payroll-related management reports and analytics
• Perform timely and accurate monthly payroll close activities, including account and system reconciliations and review of accruals
• Maintain payroll system updates for employee changes and generate related reports
• Prepare medical, dental, garnishment, and benefit contribution and billing reports
• Maintain time management systems, including time clocks and employee timesheet access
• Process new-hire paperwork and payroll-related changes in coordination with Human Resources
• Serve as a resource for employees regarding time reporting and pay inquiries; investigate and resolve paycheck discrepancies
• Review, upload, and manage 403(b), FSA, and other benefit data with third-party administrators
• Prepare and maintain COB calculations for payroll input as required
• Calculate and submit payroll-related data for city, government, or contract reporting purposes
• Prepare General Ledger journal entries related to payroll, workers’ compensation, accrued benefits, and other payroll-related accounts
• Support benefits administration in collaboration with Human Resources, including reconciliations for medical, dental, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, personnel audits, 403(b) processes, special projects, and reporting
• Compile schedules and documentation for external auditors during annual audits
• Manage and provide required data for Department of Labor, workers’ compensation, retirement plan, and other audits
• Distribute annual W-2 forms and other required payroll documentation
• Support special projects and perform additional related duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree in Finance or Accounting or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of three (3) years of accounting and payroll experience
• Strong understanding of payroll administration with exceptional attention to detail
• Working knowledge of payroll systems and time management software (UltiPro or similar systems)
• Knowledge of federal and state payroll regulations and internal payroll guidelines
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to explain payroll variances clearly to employees and department leaders
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently with minimal supervision
• Strong data entry accuracy and proficiency using a 10-key calculator or keyboard by touch
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and payroll systems

Desired Qualifications

• Experience supporting benefit administration and payroll-related audits
• Strong customer service orientation with excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated resourcefulness and initiative in resolving payroll and system issues
• Experience collaborating cross-functionally with HR, Finance, and leadership teams

Location & Work Type

Work Type: Hybrid

Work Environment: Professional administrative office setting

Schedule: Typically 2–3 days per week on-site and 2–3 days per week remote, with flexibility to meet organizational needs