Payroll Accountant

Job Summary

The Payroll Accountant serves as the primary connection between Payroll and the Accounting teams across all companies, ensuring payroll activity is accurately recorded, reconciled and reflected in the company's financial records. This role owns payroll-related journal entries, general-ledger reconciliations, bonus and paid-time-off accruals, payroll liability accounts and financial reporting support.

Working independently and across functional teams, the Payroll Accountant identifies and resolves discrepancies, strengthens controls and creates a cohesive flow of information between payroll operations and financial accounting. The role also supports the continued development of UKG and SP/HANA-related processes, integrations and reporting, helping both teams improve efficiency and focus on larger-scale business priorities.

Essential Functions

Description

• Own the payroll accounting lifecycle, including reviewing payroll registers, funding reports and system-generated accounting files; preparing and parking payroll-related journal entries; and ensuring wages, taxes, benefits, deductions, bonuses and employer-paid expenses are accurately reflected in the general ledger.
• Calculate, maintain and reconcile bonus, PTO and other payroll-related accruals.
• Reconcile payroll liability, clearing and balance-sheet accounts; research discrepancies; identify root causes; and coordinate timely resolution with Payroll, Accounting, Benefits and other stakeholders.
• Support month-end, quarter-end and year-end close activities by preparing reconciliations, accruals, schedules and supporting documentation.
• Establish and document consistent payroll accounting processes, controls, reconciliation standards, approval requirements and handoffs between the Payroll and Accounting teams.
• Support internal and external audits by preparing payroll reports, account reconciliations and documentation and responding to auditor questions.
• Partner on UKG and HANA implementations, enhancements and integrations, including account mapping, testing, data validation and issue resolution.
• Identify opportunities to streamline, automate and strengthen payroll accounting processes, controls and reporting.
• Prepare payroll-related financial reports and analysis and respond to questions from Finance, People & Culture and business leaders.
• Stay current on payroll accounting practices, regulatory requirements and system capabilities that may affect payroll processing or financial reporting.
• Partner with UKG to research and resolve payroll tax discrepancies, agency notices, filing corrections and audit inquiries, ensuring issues are documented and addressed in a timely manner.
• Prepare and submit annual payroll tax filings and related reports that are not completed by UKG, ensuring all required submissions are accurate and filed by applicable deadlines

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required, or equivalent combination of education and directly relevant experience.
• Six (6) years of progressive experience in payroll accounting, payroll operations, general accounting or a closely related area.
• Payroll or accounting certification, such as CPP, FPC, CPA or CMA is preferred.
• Strong experience using payroll, HRIS and financial accounting systems; UKG and SAP HANA experience is preferred.

Any equivalent combination of experience and education which clearly indicates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position may substitute on a year for year basis.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience preparing journal entries, performing general-ledger and balance-sheet reconciliations, and supporting financial close activities.
• Experience in a multi-state payroll environment, including payroll taxes, benefits, deductions, and employer-paid costs.
• Experience calculating and reconciling bonus, PTO, severance, deferred compensation, and other compensation-related accruals.
• Strong understanding of payroll accounting, controls, account reconciliations, and the relationship between payroll transactions and financial reporting.
• Ability to independently manage complex payroll-accounting work with accuracy, sound judgment, and accountability.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including researching discrepancies, identifying root causes, and implementing sustainable solutions.
• Strong systems aptitude, including understanding payroll data flows, integrations, account mapping, and downstream financial impacts.
• Ability to communicate clearly and build effective working relationships across Payroll, Accounting, Finance, Benefits, and technical teams.
• Ability to prioritize competing deadlines, maintain confidentiality, and consistently deliver accurate work within payroll and close timelines.
• Demonstrated initiative in improving processes, automation, controls, and cross-functional coordination
• Ability to influence outcomes and provide subject-matter guidance without formal people- management authority.

Travel Required: No

Base Salary: $86,000 - $90,000 yearly

The salary range posted for this position represents the anticipated hiring range for this role. Offers are made within this range based on factors such as relevant experience, skills, education, internal equity, and market considerations. This is the hiring range for the position; compensation above the posted maximum is not typically available at the time of offer.

Work Location: Hybrid

This role is based in the Portland, OR area and follows a hybrid work model. Employees are expected to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of our Portland office and generally work on-site four days per week, with flexibility based on business and team needs.

Why Work at KEEN: Driven by a passion for life outside, KEEN is a values-led, independently owned brand from Portland, Oregon, that’s on a mission to create original and versatile products, improve lives, and inspire outside adventure. Founded in 2003, KEEN launched a revolution in the footwear industry with the introduction of the Newport adventure sandal and has donated more than $18 million to non-profit organizations and causes around the world to promote responsible outdoor recreation, including conservation efforts to protect open spaces. KEEN strives to show the world through its products and its actions that a business for good can actually be good for business. By giving back, reducing impact, and activating communities and individuals to protectthe places where we work and play, KEEN puts its values in motion and takes action to leave the world a better place.  

At KEEN, we believe in a more just and equitable future for all people. As a global brand, we acknowledge that our business, buildings, and daily lives exist within the traditional territories of indigenous peoples. We strive for a future that recognizes the knowledge, rights, and resilience of these peoples.
Fuerst Group, KEEN, and Chrome are equal opportunity employers.  We value an inclusive and diverse community. Qualified candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.