Payroll Accounting Associate

Job Title

Payroll Accounting Associate

Career Level

Associate / Senior Associate (based on experience)

Experience

Minimum 3 years of relevant experience for associates and 7+ years' experience for Senior Associates in payroll accounting

Role Summary

The Payroll Accounting Associate is responsible for end to end payroll accounting activities, accurate payroll processing, client query resolution, and compliance with statutory and internal controls. This role requires strong knowledge of accounting, clear communication skills, and a solid understanding of payroll KPIs and service delivery metrics.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll & Accounting

Process and review payroll accounting entries including accruals, provisions, reconciliations, and adjustments

Ensure accurate posting of payroll-related transactions in the general ledger

Perform payroll balance sheet and P&L reconciliations and resolve variances

Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities related to payroll

Client & Stakeholder Management

Act as a primary point of contact for client payroll accounting queries

Investigate, resolve, and respond to client queries within defined SLAs

Communicate clearly and professionally with internal teams and external clients

Provide explanations and support on payroll calculations, accounting entries, and reports

Controls, Compliance & Quality

Ensure compliance with accounting standards, statutory requirements, and internal policies

Follow defined payroll controls and audit requirements

Support internal and external audits by providing required documentation and explanations

Identify process gaps and suggest continuous improvement opportunities

KPIs & Performance Management

Understand and work towards key payroll KPIs such as accuracy, timeliness, turnaround time, and query resolution

Track daily/weekly performance metrics and ensure adherence to service delivery standards

Proactively escalate risks or issues impacting KPIs

Required Skills & Qualifications

Technical Skills

Strong knowledge of accounting principles and payroll accounting

Hands-on experience with payroll reconciliations and journal entries

Good understanding of payroll processes and statutory components

Exposure to ERP/payroll systems (e.g., SAP, ECP, Blackline,UKG,Cognos)

Functional & Soft Skills

Strong communication skills (written and verbal)

Proven ability to handle and resolve client queries independently

Analytical mindset with attention to detail

Ability to work with deadlines and manage multiple priorities

Good understanding of KPIs and service delivery metrics

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in commerce, Accounting, Finance, or related field

Experience working in a shared services or client-facing environment

Prior exposure to audits and compliance reviews

Career Level

Associate / Senior Associate (based on experience)