Senior Manager, Payroll & Benefits Accounting

Vaco; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaco is assisting its client in Memphis, TN to recruit a Senior Manager, Payroll & Benefits Accounting who will establish and lead payroll and benefits accounting processes within the controllership organization. This high-impact role demands deep technical accounting expertise, strong system fluency in SAP Financials and Oracle HCM, and the ability to build scalable processes across a complex environment.

The role partners with HR Operations, Payroll COE, and site finance leaders to design

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• CPA or equivalent certification preferred.
• 7+ years of payroll/benefits accounting experience in a complex org.
• SOX/compliant public company experience.
• Design and implement accounting processes and controls.

Responsibilities

• Own payroll and benefits accounting authority and resolve complex issues.
• Establish consistent payroll and benefits accounting treatments per US GAAP.
• Design end-to-end payroll/benefits processes, policies, and governance.
• Drive standardization across units for scalable accounting practices.
• Own integrity of payroll/benefits data and GL reconciliations.
• Support month/quarter/year-end close and variance analysis.
• Maintain SOX controls and audit readiness for payroll/benefits.
• Collaborate with HR, Payroll COE, and Finance to align processes.

Skills

US GAAP knowledge

SAP

Oracle HCM

Payroll & benefits accounting

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

SAP

Oracle HCM

Job description

Job Title: Senior Manager, Payroll & Benefits Accounting Location: Memphis, TN Reports to: Director, Financial Reporting and Accounting

Vaco is assisting its client in its search for an experienced Senior Manager, Payroll & Benefits Accounting to establish and lead payroll and benefits accounting processes within the controllership organization. This is a newly created, high-impact individual contributor role responsible for bringing rigor, consistency, and scalability to payroll and benefits accounting across the enterprise. The ideal candidate brings deep technical accounting expertise, strong system fluency in SAP Financials and Oracle Human Capital Management, and a demonstrated ability to build sustainable accounting processes in a complex environment.

Position Overview: This role will serve as the accounting subject‑matter authority for payroll and benefits, partnering closely with HR Operations, Payroll COE, and site‑level finance leaders to design processes, implement controls, and ensure accurate and compliant financial reporting. The ideal candidate brings deep technical accounting expertise, strong systems fluency, and a proven ability to build sustainable accounting processes within a complex organization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Accounting Ownership:
  
  
  
  • Serve as the enterprise accounting authority for payroll and benefits, providing technical guidance and resolving complex accounting matters.
  
  
  • Establish consistent accounting treatment for payroll, incentive compensation, healthcare benefits, and other employee‑related programs in accordance with US GAAP and internal policy.
  
  
  
  


• Process Design & Standardization:
  
  
  
  • Design, document, and implement end‑to‑end payroll and benefits accounting processes, including policies, procedures, and governance frameworks.
  
  
  • Drive standardization across business units to ensure scalable and efficient accounting practices.
  
  
  
  


• Systems & Data Integrity:
  
  
  
  • Own the integrity, usage, and reconciliation of payroll and benefits data and related integrations into the general ledger.
  
  
  • Ensure accurate data flow between HR, payroll, and financial systems to support reporting and compliance requirements.
  
  
  
  


• Cross‑Functional Partnership:
  
  
  
  • Partner closely with Payroll, HR Operations, and Finance to align operational processes with accounting requirements.
  
  
  • Support planning, forecasting, and budgeting activities related to labor and benefit costs.
  
  
  
  


• Financial Close & Reporting:
  
  
  
  • Support month‑end, quarter‑end, and year‑end close activities, including journal entries, reconciliations, and variance analysis.
  
  
  • Provide management insights into labor and benefit cost drivers and trends.
  
  
  
  


• Internal Controls & Compliance:
  
  
  
  • Develop and maintain strong internal control frameworks, ensuring SOX compliance for payroll and benefits accounting processes.
  
  
  • Maintain documentation and support testing of controls and audit readiness.
  
  
  
  


• Audit & Risk Management:
  
  
  
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external auditors on payroll and benefits accounting matters.
  
  
  • Address audit findings and implement corrective actions as needed.
  
  
  
  


• Continuous Improvement:
  
  
  
  • Lead initiatives to enhance automation, standardization, and efficiency across payroll and benefits accounting workflows.
  
  
  • Support system enhancements and integrations involving financial and HR systems.
  
  
  
  


• Strategic Support:
  
  
  
  • Support acquisitions, divestitures, and organizational changes impacting payroll and benefits accounting.
  
  
  • Contribute to building scalable, future‑ready finance processes.
  
  
  
  

Qualifications:

• Education:
  
  
  
  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA or equivalent certification preferred).
  
  
  
  


• Experience:
  
  
  
  • 7+ years of progressive experience in payroll accounting, benefits accounting, or related roles within a complex organization.
  
  
  • Experience operating in a SOX‑compliant, public company environment.
  
  
  • Proven ability to design and implement accounting processes and internal controls from the ground up.
  
  
  
  


• Skills:
  
  
  
  • Strong knowledge of US GAAP related to employee compensation and benefits.
  
  
  • Hands‑on experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP) and HR/payroll systems (e.g., Oracle HCM or similar).
  
  
  • Strong hands‑on experience with Oracle HCM, specifically payroll and benefits modules and system integrations.
  
  
  • Exceptional analytical and problem‑solving skills.
  
  
  • Strong communication and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
  
  
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
  
  
  
  


• Leadership and Success Attributes
  
  
  
  • Trusted accounting expertise with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
  
  
  • Process‑driven mindset with the ability to balance precision with practicality.
  
  
  • Strong influencing skills and ability to partner effectively across HR, Payroll, and Finance organizations.
  
  
  • Continuous improvement orientation with an eye toward scalability and future ready finance operations.
  
  
  
  

Compensation:

• Competitive salary based on experience starting at $150,000


• Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, 401(k), and more


• Target incentive opportunities

EEO Notice

Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.

Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [e-mail].

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.

Representation Notice

By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.

For residents of Ontario, Canada: Based on Highspring's discussions with its Client, Highspring's understanding is that this position for employment is a current vacancy (either through Highspring as a contractor or with the client directly).

Privacy Notice

Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries (\"we,\" \"our,\" or \"Vaco by Highspring\") respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

• California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.


• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.


• Residents of all other states may access our policies here.


• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.


• Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here.

Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.

Pay Transparency Notice

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:

• the individual's skill sets, experience and training;


• licensure and certification requirements;


• office location and other geographic considerations;


• other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.