Payroll & Benefits Accountant

Eagle Rock Properties; Plainview (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Eagle Rock Properties in New York seeks a detail-oriented Payroll & Benefits Accountant to manage payroll and employee benefits across approximately 70 entities. This onsite role collaborates with Payroll, HR, and Finance to ensure accurate monthly, quarterly, and year-end closes.

The ideal candidate will have 3+ years in accounting with payroll/benefits experience, strong GAAP knowledge, and advanced Excel skills. Work in a multi-entity environment with a focus on accuracy and internal controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 3+ years of accounting experience, including payroll or benefits accounting.
• Strong GL, reconciliations, and payroll accounting knowledge.
• Experience with payroll systems and ERP/accounting software.
• Advanced Excel skills including Pivot tables.
• Excellent analytical and communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, record, and reconcile payroll journal entries including wages, taxes, deductions, accruals, and employer-paid benefits.
• Analyze payroll and benefits accounts and reconcile balance sheets monthly for multiple entities.
• Prepare and maintain accurate financial reports and schedules related to payroll and employee benefits.
• Assist with month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities.
• Collaborate with the Payroll team to ensure payroll transactions are processed accurately and in a timely manner.
• Partner with Human Resources to support the accounting and administration of employee benefit programs.
• Ensure payroll and benefits accounting complies with GAAP, company policies, and laws.
• Ensure timely and accurate recording and payment of payroll tax liabilities.
• Prepare documentation and schedules to support internal audits.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll and benefits accounting processes and internal controls.

Skills

General ledger accounting

Payroll accounting

Account reconciliations

Payroll systems

Microsoft Excel

Pivot tables

Communication

Problem solving

Confidentiality

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

ERP/accounting software

Payroll software

Job description

Eagle Rock Properties, headquartered in New York, is a full-service real estate firm offering investment management, property management, and construction management services. With a team of over 275 professionals, we specialize in rental apartment communities across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. Under the leadership of our executives- who have owned and managed properties for more than 30 years- Eagle Rock Properties has emerged as a pioneering force in the industry.

The Payroll & Benefits Accountant is responsible for the accounting, reconciliation, and financial reporting of payroll and employee benefit activity across approximately 70 entities within a real estate management organization.

This is an accounting-focused position with significant responsibility for ensuring payroll expenses, taxes, employee deductions, benefits, accruals, and related liabilities are accurately recorded and reconciled in the general ledger. The Payroll & Benefits Accountant will play an important role in the monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes and will work closely with Payroll, Human Resources, and Finance to maintain the accuracy and integrity of payroll-related financial information.

The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented accountant who enjoys working in a multi-entity environment, can independently investigate and resolve discrepancies, and has a strong understanding of general ledger accounting, reconciliations, and payroll and benefits activity.

This is an onsite position at our Corporate office in Plainview, NY.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, record, and reconcile payroll journal entries, including wages, taxes, deductions, accruals, and employer-paid benefits.
• Analyze and reconcile payroll, benefits, and related balance sheet and expense accounts on a monthly basis for multiple entities.
• Prepare and maintain accurate financial reports and schedules related to payroll and employee benefits.
• Assist with month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities, including intercompany journal entries and account reconciliations.
• Collaborate with the Payroll team to ensure payroll transactions are processed accurately and in a timely, and resolve payroll-related discrepancies.
• Partner with Human Resources to support the accounting and administration of employee benefit programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, life insurance, and other benefit offerings.
• Ensure payroll and benefits accounting complies with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), company policies, and applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Ensure timely and accurate recording and payment of payroll tax liabilities.
• Prepare documentation and schedules to support internal audits.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll and benefits accounting processes and internal controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Three or more years of accounting experience, preferably including payroll accounting, benefits accounting, or payroll administration.
• Strong understanding of general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, and payroll accounting.
• Experience with payroll systems and ERP/accounting software preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PIVOT tables.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively across departments.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Eagle Rock Properties provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.