Payroll Accountant

Conversant Group is an IT infrastructure and security consulting company founded in 2009 and based in Chattanooga, TN. We are the world’s first Civilian Cybersecurity Force, dedicated to defeating cyber terrorists. To do so, Conversant Group is organized into three battalions: Athena7 which provides infrastructure assessment, strategy and remediation, Grypho5 which offers ongoing managed protection, and Fenix24 which provides rapid restoration in case of a cyberattack.

About the Position

Under the direction of the Corporate Controller, serves as a liaison to our operations units in regards to all accounting/payroll administration functions and to record financial transactions of these units, including purchases, sales, receipts, payroll, benefits and other expenses, to ensure accuracy of all general ledger accounts.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll

1.      Regularly receive, and maintain efficient systems by which to receive, time card data, pay rate and deduction changes from all organizational units.

2.      Inspect time card data to ensure accuracy and thoroughness, and to identify potential errors or problems.

3.      Enter/integrate time card data, pay changes, and deduction changes into payroll system as required to produce bi-weekly payroll.

4.      Ensure the timely receipt of pay by employees via direct deposit.

5.      Respond to employees regarding routine payroll-related questions.

6.      Process child support orders and other garnishments, as needed.

7.      Produce special manual payments as authorized by supervisor.

8.      Prepares information to support and process manual payments for severance pay and any errors in timecard or timesheet reporting.

9.      Submits 401k withholding report to Plan Administrator bi-weekly, upon completion of payroll.

10.   Registers with new states as required for withholding, unemployment and or workers compensation.

11.   Primary contact for various payroll audits.

12.   Assist with People & Culture projects as needed

Outcomes:

·        Employees are appropriately and regularly compensated for their work

·        Wage and hour laws pertaining to payroll are continuously implemented

·        Employees feel supported in understanding their pay and deductions

·        Accurate and timely reporting of all payroll and payroll-related expenses in general ledger.

Accounting

1.      Prepares the payroll journal entry spreadsheets and enters into accounting system.

2.      Posts payroll-related journal entries – e.g., Allocation of Health Insurance and Workers’ Comp Insurance to units.

3.      Maintains spreadsheets for Accounting as needed: Vacation Accrual, 401k Accrual, etc.

4.      Secondary backup for Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable

5.      Maintain balance sheet reconciliations for all payroll related GL accounts (accrued salaries, taxes/benefit liabilities, etc.)

6.      Provide support to other members of the finance team and management as needed; additional duties as assigned. 

Outcomes:

·        Transactions are recorded to the proper General Ledger code, accurately and on a timely basis.

·        Transactions are recorded to the proper reporting unit within the General Ledger on a timely basis.

·        General Ledger reconciliations exist for all balance sheet accounts, and select P&L accounts, monthly.

·        Improved financial reporting with uniform and consistent practices

·        Management understands their roles and responsibilities in regards to documentation and reporting

·        Monthly close process is performed accurately and efficiently in order to provide timely financial statements to management. 

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field preferred.
• CPP accreditation strongly preferred.  
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in related areas, including Payroll, Benefits administration, and compliance.

• High level of professionalism and integrity with the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Thorough understanding of local, state, and federal laws and regulations involving payroll and benefit programs to include solid understanding of general accounting, accounts payable and receivables.
• Excellent organization, analytical and written skills with attention to detail and ability to spot numerical and grammatical errors.
• Adaptable with ability to function well in a high-paced and changing environment.
• Results-oriented with strong problem-solving skills and heightened sense of urgency.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Excel, Payroll systems, employee management software and HRIS platforms; Experience in Bamboo HR a plus.
• In-depth knowledge of payroll and time & attendance systems.
• Ability to form relationships across all levels of the company while modeling Conversant’s culture and Good Samaritan values.