Staff Payroll Accountant

Seattle Search Group; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Part time

Job summary

Seattle Search Group is seeking a Staff Payroll Accountant for a Seattle-area company to support payroll-related accounting activities and assist with month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close.

The role is hybrid/onsite in Seattle, WA, on a six‑month contract with potential conversion to a full-time position. You will prepare journal entries, perform reconciliations, analyze variances, and support audits across multiple data sources and systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred.
• Experience with journal entries, reconciliations, and month-end close.
• Strong Excel skills.
• Ability to work with data from multiple systems and sources.

Responsibilities

• Prepare payroll-related journal entries for monthly, quarterly, and year-end close.
• Perform general ledger and payroll-related account reconciliations.
• Research and resolve reconciliation differences and accounting discrepancies.
• Perform variance analysis and investigate unusual payroll activity.
• Compile and reconcile payroll information from multiple systems and data sources.
• Support payroll tax-related accounting activities.
• Prepare schedules and supporting documentation for internal and external audits.
• Assist with year-end payroll and accounting activities.

Skills

Payroll accounting

Excel skills

Analytical problem-solving

Data from multiple systems

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

BlackLine

IFS / ERP system

Job description

Job Description

Staff Payroll Accountant

Location: Seattle, WA

Employment Type: 6-Month Contract

Potential Conversion: Opportunity to convert to a FTE

Schedule: Hybrid/Onsite

Position Overview: Seattle Search Group is partnering with a well-established Seattle-area company to hire a Staff Payroll Accountant for its Accounting team. The Staff Payroll Accountant will be responsible for payroll-related accounting activities and will support the monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes. This position will prepare journal entries, perform account reconciliations, analyze variances, and provide support for internal and external audits. The role works with payroll and accounting data from multiple sources and systems. The company is currently implementing IFS and utilizes BlackLine as part of its accounting environment. The successful candidate will be comfortable working with multiple data sources, maintaining accuracy in a changing environment, and helping improve accounting processes and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Prepare payroll-related journal entries for monthly, quarterly, and year-end close
• Perform general ledger and payroll-related account reconciliations
• Research and resolve reconciliation differences and accounting discrepancies
• Perform variance analysis and investigate unusual payroll activity
• Compile and reconcile payroll information from multiple systems and data sources
• Support payroll tax-related accounting activities
• Prepare schedules and supporting documentation for internal and external audits
• Assist with year-end payroll and accounting activities
• Maintain accurate and complete accounting documentation
• Work closely with Payroll, Accounting, and other internal teams to resolve issues
• Support accounting activities associated with the IFS implementation
• Utilize BlackLine for reconciliations and other accounting processes
• Assist with developing and improving accounting procedures and documentation
• Identify opportunities to improve the accuracy and efficiency of existing processes
• Assist with additional accounting projects and responsibilities as needed

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred
• Previous accounting experience with journal entries, account reconciliations, and month-end close
• Understanding of general ledger accounting
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Ability to work with data from multiple systems and sources
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to work independently and take initiative
• Willingness to ask questions and investigate issues when information or documentation is limited
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment
• Comfortable learning and working with accounting systems and technology
• Strong Excel skills

Preferred Experience

• Payroll accounting experience
• Payroll tax experienceExperience supporting internal or external audits
• Experience with BlackLine
• Experience with IFS or another ERP system
• Experience working in a complex or multi-entity accounting environment

Work Environment

This position is based in Seattle and will follow the company's hybrid/onsite work schedule. The accounting team operates in a collaborative and supportive environment. The successful candidate will be resilient, proactive, comfortable asking questions, and willing to offer ideas and recommendations in a constructive manner. Occasional overtime may be available or needed during busy periods but is not a requirement of the position.

Contract and Conversion

This position is expected to be a six-month contract assignment. There is potential for the position to convert to a regular employee based on business needs and mutual interest. Interest in converting to a regular position is preferred but is not required.