Staff Accountant, Payroll

Ovation Healthcare; Brentwood (TN); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ovation Healthcare seeks a Staff Payroll Accountant to join our Brentwood, TN team. You will support payroll processing and payroll accounting functions, reconciling to the general ledger and reviewing deductions, ensuring compliance and accuracy.

The role requires collaboration with Payroll, Accounting, and People Operations, with on-site quarterly visits to the Brentwood corporate office. Minimum 2 years of payroll experience and knowledge of multi-state payroll are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in accounting or related field.
• Minimum 2 years of payroll processing or payroll accounting experience.
• Experience with multi-state payroll and payroll taxes.
• Experience with Workday and ADP SmartCompliance preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist with end-to-end multi-state payroll operations for exempt and non-exempt employees across entities.
• Process payroll updates including hires, terminations, changes, benefits, taxes, and other deductions.
• Prepare and post payroll journal entries, reconcile payroll registers to the GL, and investigate discrepancies.
• Assist with month-end close activities, payroll accruals, and GL variances.
• Support payroll tax and garnishment processes and ensure compliance.
• Maintain payroll records and respond to internal and external requests.
• Support 401(k) and employee benefit administration, including reconciliations and audits.
• Identify and implement process improvements and automation opportunities.

Skills

Multi-state payroll

Payroll processing

General ledger reconciliation

Month-end close

Excel proficiency

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Independence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

FPC or CPP certification (not required but a plus)

Tools

Workday

ADP SmartCompliance

Job description

Ovation Healthcare is seeking a Staff Payroll Accountant to join our team in Brentwood, TN. The Staff Payroll Accountant will support both payroll processing and payroll accounting functions, including preparing and processing payroll, reconciling payroll activity to the general ledger, reviewing employee deductions, and assisting with payroll tax compliance. This position will work closely with Payroll, Accounting, and People Operations to ensure accurate and timely processing, resolve discrepancies, and maintain accurate financial records. This is a remote position that requires coming on-site to the corporate office in Brentwood, TN at least once quarterly.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with end-to-end multi-state payroll operations for exempt and non-exempt employees across multiple entities and businesses.
• Process payroll updates including new hires, terminations, acquisitions, rebadges, pay changes, benefits, garnishments, taxes, and other deductions.
• Prepare and post payroll journal entries, reconcile payroll registers to the general ledger, and investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Assist with month-end close activities, including payroll accruals, balance sheet reconciliations, and resolution of payroll-related general ledger variances.
• Support payroll tax and garnishment processes through ADP SmartCompliance, including filings, remittances, reconciliations, and issue resolution. Supports compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, wage, and hour laws and best practices.
• Prepares and maintains accurate payroll records, reconciliations, and supporting documentation for internal and external requests.
• Support 401(k) and employee benefit administration, including contribution & benefit reconciliations, funding verification, eligibility tracking, and audit requests.
• Identify and implement process improvements, internal controls, automation opportunities, and scalable payroll procedures.
• Independently research and resolve payroll discrepancies, tax notices, reconciliation variances, and compliance issues.
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of multi-state payroll processing, payroll taxes, garnishments, wage and hour laws, and payroll accounting.
• Understanding of general ledger accounting, journal entries, account reconciliations, and month-end close processes.
• Knowledge of 401(k) administration, payroll deductions, benefit administration, and audit support processes.
• Experience with payroll and accounting systems, preferably Workday and ADP SmartCompliance.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of employee base and work cross-functionally within the organization.
• Strong analytical, reconciliation, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• High attention to detail and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to prioritize responsibilities, meet deadlines, and work independently while seeking guidance when appropriate.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, and related software.

Work Experience, Education, and Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field preferred, or equivalent work experience.
• Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) a plus.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in payroll processing, accounting, or a combination of both.
• Experience processing multi-state payroll, including employee deductions, payroll taxes, and garnishments preferred.
• Experience supporting acquisitions, payroll integrations, system implementations, or rebadges a plus.
• Experience supporting 401(k) audits, payroll-related audits, and tax compliance preferred
• Experience with Workday and ADP SmartCompliance preferred.