Payroll Staff Accountant

Description:

Job Title: Staff Accountant
Job Description
This Staff Accountant role focuses on processing and posting monthly payroll for approximately 50 companies while ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with applicable regulations. The position also supports core accounting functions, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, general ledger maintenance, financial reporting, and audit preparation. This is an excellent opportunity for an accounting professional who enjoys detailed payroll work, values accuracy, and wants to grow within a collaborative team environment with strong benefits and clear growth potential.
Responsibilities
Process and post monthly payroll for approximately 50 companies, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with applicable regulations.
Perform 10-key data entry with a high level of speed and accuracy in a payroll processing environment.
Assist with performing daily employer contribution postings and tracking accounts receivable.
Set up new employer accounts and update member records to determine benefit eligibility.
Maintain and process accounts receivable (A/R) and accounts payable (A/P) using QuickBooks.
Prepare and analyze general ledger transactions to ensure financial data is accurate and complete.
Generate financial reports and assist with monthly and year-end close processes.
Support preparation for the annual audit, including gathering documentation and performing reconciliations.
Determine member benefit eligibility based on updated records and contribution data.
Collaborate with a team of staff accountants and an eligibility specialist to ensure consistent, high-quality financial operations.
Use Excel to format data, copy and paste information, and organize text into columns for reporting and analysis.
Essential Skills
Proficiency in payroll processing and payroll accounting, with experience handling recurring payroll cycles.
Strong 10-key data entry skills with a high level of speed and accuracy.
Hands-on experience in payroll processing environments, including working with multiple employers or entities.
Experience with general ledger accounting, including journal entries, reconciliations, and month-end processes.
Ability to prepare and analyze general ledger transactions for accuracy and completeness.
Experience supporting month-end and year-end close activities.
Familiarity with accounts receivable (A/R) and accounts payable (A/P) functions, preferably using QuickBooks.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formatting, copying and pasting data, and organizing text into columns.
Strong attention to detail and accuracy in all financial and payroll-related tasks.
Ability to interpret and apply payroll and benefit-related rules to determine member eligibility.
Minimum of 2+ years of relevant work experience in payroll processing or payroll accounting.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Associate’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field preferred.
Experience in employee benefits, union, and/or non-profit environments preferred.
Experience working with employer contributions and benefit eligibility determinations is a plus.
Comfort working in a structured payroll environment with recurring deadlines.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
Effective communication skills to collaborate with team members and other departments.
Interest in professional growth and development within an accounting-focused role.
Work Environment
This role is fully on-site, working five days per week in the office. The workday starts at either 7:00 a.m. or 8:00 a.m., based on personal preference, and runs for 8.5 hours with a 30-minute lunch break. Once selected, the start time should remain consistent each day to support team coordination and workflow. You will work as part of a close-knit accounting team that includes three other staff accountants and an eligibility specialist, within a structured and collaborative environment. The organization offers strong growth potential and comprehensive benefits provided at no expense to the employee, aligned with the benefits offered to journeyman-level staff. The role involves regular use of QuickBooks, Excel, and other standard office and accounting tools in a professional office setting.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Lanham, MD.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $33.65 - $36.06/hr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Lanham,MD.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 28, 2026.
About Aston Carter
Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

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https://careers.astoncarter.com/us/en/job/JP-006222593/Payroll-Staff-Accountant