Payroll Accountant

PROPÓSITO GENERAL

The Payroll Accountant is responsible for supporting payroll operations and related accounting activities through detailed analysis, processing, and reporting. This role focuses on ensuring payroll accuracy, maintaining compliance with applicable laws and company policies, and providing insights through payroll data analysis. The Payroll Analyst partners closely with HR and Finance to validate data, resolve discrepancies, and improve payroll processes.

FUNCIONES ESPECÍFICAS

• Prepare, review, and post payroll-related journal entries, including wages, taxes, benefits, bonuses, commissions, and accruals, ensuring accurate recording within the General Ledger.
• Reconcile payroll registers, payroll subledgers, and payroll-related balance sheet accounts to the General Ledger, investigating and resolving discrepancies to maintain financial accuracy.
• Perform monthly reconciliations of payroll-related accounts, including accrued wages, payroll taxes, benefits, garnishments, and other payroll liabilities.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities by preparing payroll accruals, reconciliations, schedules, and supporting documentation.
• Ensure payroll transactions are recorded in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), company accounting policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Reconcile payroll data between payroll systems and enterprise accounting systems (ERP) to ensure data integrity and accurate financial reporting.
• Review payroll tax liabilities, tax remittances, and related filings to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations.
• Prepare payroll-related financial reports, analyses, and supporting schedules used in financial statement preparation and management reporting.
• Analyze payroll expenses and labor costs, identifying trends, exceptions, and budget-to-actual variances and providing recommendations for corrective action.
• Prepare audit schedules, workpapers, reconciliations, and supporting documentation while serving as a key contact for internal and external auditor requests related to payroll accounting activities.

RESULTADOS CLAVE

• Monitor and maintain payroll accounting controls and support compliance with internal control requirements, audit standards, and company policies.
• Support financial planning and analysis efforts by providing payroll-related reporting, variance analysis, and labor cost data.
• Assist with the implementation, testing, maintenance, and enhancement of payroll and ERP systems impacting payroll accounting and financial reporting processes.
• Research and resolve complex payroll accounting issues while ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting.
• Stay current on payroll accounting standards, payroll tax regulations, and industry best practices to ensure ongoing compliance and process effectiveness.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll accounting processes, strengthen internal controls, enhance reporting capabilities, and increase operational efficiency.
• Support special projects and perform other duties as assigned

DECISIONES

No Aplica

PERFIL DE PUESTO

• Restaurant Experience is highly preferred
  Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2 years of public accounting experience or 3 years of progressive accounting experience in an industry environment.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles, financial reporting, account reconciliations, and month-end close processes.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish (required) with strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively collaborate with U.S.-based teams and stakeholders.

Formación académica

Habilidades y experiencias

• Experience working with U.S.-based companies and/or U.S. accounting practices (required), as this position supports operations headquartered in the United States while being based in Guatemala.
• Ability to work a hybrid schedule, including onsite and remote work as required by business needs.
  Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the use of formulas, pivot tables, and data analysis tools; experience with SAP or other ERP systems is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated attention to detail with strong organizational and time management skills.
  Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking abilities with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective working relationships across departments and cultures.