Payroll Accountant

FTS, Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

FTS, Inc. is seeking a Payroll Accountant to join our finance team in Washington, DC. The role focuses on hands-on payroll processing, accurate recordkeeping, and evolving into a leadership position as processes mature.

The candidate should demonstrate ownership, attention to detail, and the ability to improve payroll workflows while collaborating across departments and senior management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.
• 3-5 years of payroll/accounting experience.
• Strong Excel skills and data analysis ability.

Responsibilities

• Run onboarding and payroll setup in the ERP system.
• Maintain payroll records for new hires, status changes, and terminations.
• Track PTO balances and report to management.
• Identify payroll issues via weekly audits and coordinate resolutions.
• Design and manage sick and safe leave accrual structures.
• Monitor regulatory changes affecting leave and payroll practices.
• Prepare reports on leave usage and payroll compliance.
• Support audits as needed.
• Process payroll adjustments with proper documentation.
• Support special projects as assigned.

Skills

Excel

Payroll processing

Communication

Attention to detail

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

ERP system

Payroll reporting systems

Job description

Join a finance team as a Payroll Accountant with strong hands-on payroll experience and the potential to grow into a management role over time. This position rewards people who take ownership of the details and improve processes along the way, not just execute tasks.

The Role:

• Run weekly employee onboarding: orientation, document review, and payroll setup in the ERP system
• Maintain accurate employee payroll records, including new hire paperwork, status changes, and terminations
• Track PTO balances (vacation, holiday, jurisdictional sick/safe leave) and report to management
• Identify payroll issues through weekly audits and coordinate resolution across all levels
• Design and manage sick and safe leave accrual structures: eligibility, rates, caps, carryover, usage
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes affecting leave and payroll practices
• Prepare reports on leave usage, accrual balances, and payroll compliance
• Support internal and external audits as needed
• Process payroll adjustments (wage corrections, expense reports, travel pay, allowances) with proper documentation
• Support special projects as assigned

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience), plus 3-5 years of relevant experience
• Intermediate to expert Excel skills
• Experience with payroll processing and reporting systems
• Strong problem-solving skills, knowing what to resolve directly vs. elevate
• Ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive information
• Strong multitasking skills, able to meet deadlines under pressure
• Effective written and verbal communication across all levels
• Detail-oriented, organized, and analytically strong