Senior Payroll and Benefits Accountant

embryriddle; Daytona Beach (FL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is seeking a Senior Payroll and Benefits Accountant to oversee payroll and employee benefits accounting, ensure accuracy of financial records, and support compliance with GAAP and regulatory requirements. The role emphasizes data-driven analysis, cross-functional collaboration with Payroll, HR, and Finance, and process improvements to enhance reporting and controls.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive accounting experience in payroll and benefits, strong

Qualifications

• Extensive accounting experience with payroll and employee benefits.
• Strong technical knowledge of payroll and employee benefits and ability to translate complex financial information.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and analyze payroll and benefits accounting activities.
• Prepare and analyze payroll-related financial reports and schedules.
• Lead reconciliations of payroll and benefits general ledger accounts and resolve discrepancies.
• Support GAAP compliance, payroll tax requirements, and benefits regulations.
• Coordinate internal and external audits and respond to inquiries.
• Identify control gaps and implement improvements for accuracy and compliance.
• Develop dashboards and reporting tools to support analysis and forecasting.

Skills

Detail oriented

Analytical

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Tools

Workday

Job description

The Opportunity

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Senior Payroll and Benefits Accountant to serve as a key financial resource for payroll and employee benefits accounting. This position is responsible for overseeing complex accounting activities, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial records, and supporting compliance with applicable accounting standards, tax regulations, and University policies.

The Senior Payroll and Benefits Accountant will play an important role in financial reporting, account reconciliations, audit preparation, internal controls, and the ongoing evaluation of payroll and benefits-related financial processes. Working collaboratively with Payroll Services, Human Resources, Finance, and other University stakeholders, this position will analyze financial data, investigate discrepancies, identify opportunities for process improvement, and provide recommendations that support sound financial decision-making.

The ideal candidate brings extensive accounting experience, strong technical knowledge of payroll and employee benefits, and the ability to translate complex financial information into meaningful insights. This individual will help strengthen accounting practices, improve reporting accuracy and efficiency, and maintain reliable financial processes in a deadline-driven environment while safeguarding confidential employee and financial information.

Key Responsibilitie s

• Payroll and Benefits Accounting: Oversee and analyze payroll and employee benefits accounting activities, ensuring transactions are accurately recorded, properly classified, and reflected in the appropriate financial accounts and reporting periods.
• Financial Reporting and Analysis: Prepare, review, and analyze financial reports, account balances, and supporting schedules related to payroll, employee benefits, and associated liabilities and expenses.
• Account Reconciliations: Lead complex reconciliations of payroll and benefits-related general ledger accounts, research discrepancies, identify root causes, and coordinate timely resolution.
• Compliance and Taxation: Support compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), payroll tax requirements, retirement plan regulations, healthcare benefit requirements, and applicable University policies and procedures.
• Audit Coordination: Prepare documentation and schedules for internal and external audits, respond to audit inquiries, and assist with the development and implementation of corrective actions when needed.
• Internal Controls and Risk Management: Evaluate payroll and benefits accounting controls, identify potential risks or control gaps, and recommend improvements to strengthen accuracy, accountability, and compliance.
• Process Improvement and Automation: Identify opportunities to streamline accounting workflows, improve reconciliation processes, enhance reporting tools, and implement efficiencies through technology and automation.
• Data Analysis and Reporting Tools: Develop and maintain dashboards, financial models, and reporting tools that support accurate analysis, reconciliation, forecasting, and informed decision-making.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Payroll Services, Human Resources, Finance, and other University stakeholders to resolve complex accounting issues, improve data integrity, and maintain consistent financial practices.
• Systems and Technology: Utilize relevant financial and HR systems, including Workday where applicable, to analyze transactions, validate data, support reporting, and improve accounting processes.
• Project Leadership: Lead or support accounting initiatives, system enhancements, process reviews, and other projects related to payroll and employee benefits accounting.
• Confidentiality and Documentation: Maintain the confidentiality and security of sensitive employee, payroll, benefits, and financial information while ensuring records and supporting documentation are accurate and accessible for authorized review.
• Technical Guidance and Recommendations: Provide accounting expertise, communicate findings to relevant stakeholders, and recommend practical solutions to complex financial issues and operational challenges.

About us

For over 100 years, Embry-Riddle has been the world's leading aviation and aerospace university, educating more than 30,000 students across residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, as well as through a global network of Worldwide locations and online programs. With more than 165,000 alumni around the world, our impact reaches every corner of the aerospace, aviation, defense and technology industries.

Today, our faculty, researchers and professional staff are advancing innovation across aviation, space, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, autonomous systems and next-generation engineering. Working alongside industry leaders, government agencies and innovators, they are solving real-world cha