Accountant

Senior Accountant – Payroll Focus Location: Los Angeles, CA Work Setting: On-Site Employment Type: Contract Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Accountant with a strong focus on Payroll Accounting to support their Payroll and Accounting operations. This role is primarily responsible for full-cycle payroll accounting, reconciliations, reporting, and general ledger integration, while also supporting additional accounting functions such as General Ledger, Financial Reporting, Fixed Assets, AP, AR, and Grants/Project Accounting as needed. The ideal professional is detail-oriented, deadline-driven, and comfortable working in a compliance-focused environment. Key Responsibilities (Primary Payroll Focus) Manage full-cycle payroll accounting, including GL interfaces and reconciliations • Reconcile payroll liability, benefit, and tax accounts, resolving variances as needed • Ensure accurate posting of wages, deductions, employer taxes, and benefit allocations • Support payroll reporting, audits, and compliance filings • Prepare payroll-related journal entries, accruals, adjustments, and worksheets • Reconcile and analyze general ledger and bank activity • Support month-end and year-end close processes • Assist with project/grant and financial reporting as needed • Support internal and external payroll and financial audits • Utilize Excel and financial systems to prepare reporting and analysis Minimum Qualifications (Non-Negotiable Requirements) Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field • Minimum 3+ years of hands-on Payroll Accounting experience (beyond payroll processing) • Demonstrated experience reconciling payroll GL and liability accounts • Strong understanding of GAAP and internal controls • Experience preparing journal entries and performing financial reconciliations • Proficiency with advanced Excel (pivot tables, lookups, formulas) • Ability to work on-site daily in Los Angeles Preferred Qualifications CPA or CMA preferred, not required • Experience with Oracle-based financial systems (e.g., PeopleSoft or Oracle FIS) • Experience within public-sector, grant-funded, or higher-education environments • Familiarity with GASB or public-sector financial reporting • Experience supporting payroll and financial audits Ideal Professional Profile Payroll-focused accounting background • High attention to accuracy and detail • Comfortable balancing recurring payroll cycles with close deadlines • Strong communication and collaboration skills