Principal Payroll Accountant — Tax, Recs & Systems

NJ TRANSIT; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Flexible Spending Account

Life Insurance

Paid Leave

Tuition Assistance

Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits

401(a) Plan

401(k) Match

457(b) Plan

Job summary

NJ TRANSIT in Newark, NJ is seeking a Payroll Accountant to manage full cycle payroll accounting, including G/L journal entries and reconciliations. You will ensure accurate reporting and compliance across federal, state, and local tax withholdings and related filings.

You will collaborate with finance and HR teams to balance year-end processes, prepare detailed payroll reports, and support internal/external audits. Strong Excel skills and attention to detail are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or related area, and five years of payroll experience.
• Strong knowledge of payroll processing, tax withholdings, and compliance.
• Proficiency in MS Excel, spreadsheets, macros, and Access databases.

Responsibilities

• Create and process G/L Journal Entries to ensure timely and accurate reporting of Payroll data.
• Prepare G/L Account Reconciliations to ensure proper and accurate account activity.
• Perform and review analyses of Payroll G/L accounts and resolve reconciling items.
• Reconcile, pay, and file Payroll Tax withholdings including Railroad Retirement Taxes.
• Establish accurate RRB/Federal/State/Local Tax setup of employee records based on W4 forms and state residency.
• Research tax issues and summarize findings for management.
• Assist with internal and external audits information requests.
• Assist with year-end balancing and reconciliation for Payroll and W2 reporting.
• Maintain monthly posting of creditable months for RRB reporting.
• Process weekly direct deposit and ACH transmissions, positive pay files, and reconciliations.
• Run queries, download data, and prepare detailed spreadsheets and reports for management.
• Provide system testing and assist with vendor upgrades.
• Provide oversight to Payroll union staff.
• Provide excellent Customer Service to all internal/external customers.
• Complete projects as assigned.

Skills

Detail oriented

Multitasking

Excellent written and verbal

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related area

Tools

MS Excel

Access databases

Macros

Payroll HCM (Oracle)

Job description

NJ TRANSIT in Newark, NJ is seeking a Payroll Accountant to manage full cycle payroll accounting, including G/L journal entries and reconciliations. You will ensure accurate reporting and compliance across federal, state, and local tax withholdings and related filings.

You will collaborate with finance and HR teams to balance year-end processes, prepare detailed payroll reports, and support internal/external audits. Strong Excel skills and attention to detail are essential.