Senior Accounting/Payroll Specialist

Wiss; New York (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Wiss in Queens, NY, is seeking a hands-on accounting professional with deep expertise in union payroll and general accounting. The role supports day-to-day accounting, month-end close, and financial reporting in a fully onsite setting.

The ideal candidate has construction experience, understands prevailing wage and compliance, and is prepared to own both payroll and accounting tasks in a hands-on environment. Onsite five days a week.

Qualifications

• Prior experience in construction accounting with hands-on union payroll processing or oversight.
• Understanding union payroll requirements and fringe benefits is essential.
• General accounting tasks include journal entries, reconciliations, and month-end close.

Responsibilities

• Process and oversee weekly union payroll for construction employees.
• Prepare and review union payroll reports and certified payroll documents.
• Reconcile payroll with job costs and general ledger; maintain payroll records.

Skills

Payroll processing

Construction accounting

Journal entries

Regulatory compliance

Detail-oriented

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Tools

Sage 100

Job description

A privately held construction client is seeking a hands-on accounting professional with a strong background in union payroll and general accounting. This individual will be responsible for managing union payroll activities while supporting the company's day-to-day accounting operations, month-end close, and financial reporting.

The ideal candidate will have experience working for a construction contractor, understand the complexities of union payroll and related compliance requirements, and be comfortable taking ownership of both payroll and accounting responsibilities in a hands-on environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Process and oversee weekly union payroll for construction employees, ensuring accurate and timely payments.
• Maintain a strong understanding of union agreements, prevailing wage requirements where applicable, and applicable payroll regulations.
• Prepare and review union payroll reports, certified payroll documentation where required, and related filings.
• Calculate and reconcile union benefits, fringe benefits, dues, deductions, and contributions to applicable benefit funds.
• Maintain accurate employee payroll records, hours, job classifications, and labor allocations.
• Reconcile payroll accounts and investigate discrepancies between payroll records, job costs, and the general ledger.
• Coordinate with union representatives, benefit funds, employees, and external providers to resolve payroll-related questions and discrepancies.
• Ensure payroll processes comply with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Prepare journal entries and account reconciliations, including accruals, prepaids, and fixed assets.
• Support month-end close by completing assigned reconciliations and maintaining supporting documentation.
• Review general ledger activity, investigate variances, and coordinate corrections.
• Assist with audits, management reporting, and process documentation.
• Support accounting for intercompany transactions and foreign entities, as applicable.
• Assist with bank reconciliations and recording routine cash transactions.
• Support other accounting and reporting needs as they arise.

Qualifications:

• Prior experience in construction accounting with hands-on union payroll processing or oversight.
• Understanding of union payroll requirements, fringe benefits, deductions, and payroll-related compliance.
• General accounting experience, including journal entries, account reconciliations, and month-end close.
• Experience reconciling payroll activity to the general ledger and, ideally, job cost records.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and ability to manage recurring deadlines.
• Comfortable working onsite in a hands-on role within a growing construction business.
• Experience with Sage 100 or similar accounting systems is helpful; specific payroll software experience is not a determining factor.

Compensation:

• Competitive base salary of $100,000–$110,000.
• Fully onsite, five days per week in Queens, NY.