Payroll Accountant

Job Summary

The Payroll Accountant maintains payroll and benefit accounting records, producing financial accounting and related statistical reports. Performs variance analysis of labour and fringe benefit expenditures. Prepares annual financial reports for review by auditors and periodic reports for external payroll and benefit organizations.

Duties/Accountabilities

• Participates in the establishment of and revision of the payroll and benefit accounting systems, recommending policies and developing operating procedures. Communicates and implements changes.
• Maintains records of payroll and benefit financial transactions in accordance with organizational policy, auditing and government requirements. Prepares financial reports including balance sheet, lead sheets and supporting schedules for review by auditors and Manager.
• Prepares periodic reports for organizations such as the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC), United Way, and external audit firms by performing tasks such as extracting and compiling information from a variety of computer generated reports and using spreadsheets and other reporting tools to prepare reports.
• Performs financial analysis such as variance analysis of payroll and fringe benefit expenditures by performing tasks such as analyzing income statements and balance sheet accounts to ensure all journal entries have been accounted for and all charges have been put into the proper accounts. Corrects journal entries as required.
• Follows up on inquiries from department managers on revenue and expense anomalies by performing tasks such as analyzes accounts and making correcting entries.
• Reconciles payroll and benefit liability general ledger accounts by performing tasks such analyzing and confirming transactions, following up on anomalies and taking corrective action by preparing journal entries.
• Authorizes journal entries in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Prepares returns and payment for payroll and benefit organizations such as the Canada Revenue Agency, Pension Corporation of B.C., Worker’s Compensation Board of B.C. and Health Benefit Trust, by performing tasks such as performing calculations, filling out forms, and remitting payment via cheque or electronic transfer.
• Prepares Workers Compensation Board annual report for employee and purchased salaries and remits payment.
• Performs other related duties assigned.

Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience

• Grade 12, successful completion of the fourth level of the CMA or CGA program, five years’ recent related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Skills And Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to deal with others effectively.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Ability to supervise.
• Ability to organize work.
• Ability to operate related equipment.