Senior Manager, Corporate Accounting and Payroll

Business Wire, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is the global market leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure. We are on a mission to redefine how organizations connect with their audiences - and that’s just the beginning!

Organizations, large and small, depend on us to accurately publicize market-moving news and multimedia, and generate social engagements that develop interactions with their target audiences.

About the Role

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Senior Manager, Corporate Accounting and Payroll to oversee global payroll operations, compensation accounting, and the administration of Workday system configuration and related reporting. This role, which reports to the Senior Accounting Manager, is a hands-on managerial role in which the manager will lead a small team responsible for processing global payroll, maintaining Workday configurations, and supporting related reporting. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who is methodical, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing a small team. This person will roll up their sleeves to ensure timely, accurate payroll and compliant accounting while exhibiting in-depth accounting knowledge and advanced expertise in Workday payroll user configurations. 

• Compensation & Leadership:
• Manage and support a team responsible for all aspects of global payroll processing, including interfacing with HR, Corporate Accountants, and ADP/Third-Party Accounting firms acting as payroll processors.
• Rotate through payroll processes to maintain detailed technical operational knowledge, support team efficiency, and perform hands-on payroll duties as needed.
• Lead and participate in payroll tasks related to benefits and salary-related compensation adjustments.
• Ensure compliance with local labor and tax regulations, and maintain payroll records in accordance with applicable regulatory and audit requirements.
• Communicate progress of projects and initiatives and provide status updates to stakeholders.
• Build strong cross-functional business partner relationships externally and throughout the organization, especially with Corporate Accountants and People & Culture. 
• Ensure appropriate internal controls and backup processes are in place.
• Partner with Accounting leadership to assess payroll systems for audit readiness and internal reporting accuracy.
• Maintain expert level understanding of multi-state and international payroll tax compliance, including jurisdiction specific regulations and reporting requirements.

• Compensation Accounting:
• Execute all aspects of worldwide compensation accounting, including accurate and timely preparation of payroll-related journal entries as well as managing payroll-related GL activity for multiple entities across various currencies, reconciliations, advanced variance analysis, forecasting/accruals, and month-end close activities such as booking timing differences, bonuses, commissions, PTO, and 401K liabilities.
• Analyze and perform actual vs. projected compensation expense and accrued liabilities variance analysis, providing insights to the corporate accountant and management team.
• Monitor compliance with internal controls and SOX requirements related to payroll accounting processes.
• Support internal and external audits, including the preparation and delivery of payroll-related documentation, schedules, and explanations.
• Serve as a key contributor to the corporate accounting team by driving improvements in accounting processes related to payroll, with a focus on integrating compensation data into broader financial reporting.
• Collaborate on infrastructure development projects that impact payroll accounting systems.
• Research complex accounting and payroll-related questions, investigate their impact, and make recommendations for implementation.
• Ensure financial records are maintained in compliance with US GAAP and company accounting policies/procedures.

• Workday System Management:
• Administer Workday configurations and system enhancements with the payroll specialists and contractors.
• Responsible for efficient and accurate collection of all employee information and for establishing necessary HR records, including payroll records and Workday payroll system.
• Lead and participate in Workday testing, troubleshooting, and user support for payroll-related functionality to ensure optimal system performance and data integrity.
• Collaborate on payroll-related projects and initiatives with HR Workday contact; implement ongoing process improvements and better business practices to deliver quality customer service.
• Lead configuration and maintenance of international payroll setups within Workday, including localization compliance rules, earnings, and statutory deductions.

• 7+ years of hands-on experience with complex Workday Payroll configuration and system administration, including user testing and troubleshooting.
• 5+ years of compensation accounting experience, including preparation of payroll-related journal entries, reconciliations, and month-end close activities.
• 3+ years of people leadership experience, with a proven track record of managing and developing high-performing teams in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Prior experience in public accounting and/or corporate accounting within a large publicly traded company is required.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (USGAAP) with emphasis on FASB 43.
• Experience with project management and hands-on troubleshooting of processes and systems.
• Experience with ADP and Oracle EBS interface highly desirable.
• Must possess knowledge of laws and regulations relating to wages, benefits, and other employment matters.
• Must be able to multi-task and prioritize responsibilities efficiently, possess exceptional attention to detail and organization skills.
• Candidate must be a self-starter with a customer service mindset and hands-on project management experience to drive process improvements.
• Must demonstrate critical thinking skills, be able to identify strengths and weaknesses with payroll and benefits administration, and offer alternative solutions to problems.
• Must demonstrate an ability to manage payroll matters with discretion, sensitivity, and business sensibility.
• Expert level of experience with Microsoft Excel required (advanced Pivot tables, VLOOKUP, Database creation).
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is required. CPA is a plus.

• Ability to work remotely
• Excellent health benefits that begin on your first day of employment
• $100 monthly fitness allotment, a tuition reimbursement program, and enhanced mental health resources
• 401(k) plan with generous company match, and annual profit sharing contribution (subject to company performance)
• PTO, Floating Holidays, Wellness Day Off, Birthday Day Off, and more!

A pre-employment background check will be required after the acceptance of an offer. Business Wire is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and other similar state laws and local ordinances, and its internal policy, Business Wire will also consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.