Payroll Accountant | Full Time

Please direct all applications to [email protected] with the subject line: Payroll Accountant

Position Summary

Niagara Power Transformer (NPT) is seeking a detail-oriented Payroll Accountant to join our Finance & Accounting team in Cheektowaga, NY. This role serves as the primary owner of payroll processing and administration, while also supporting accounts receivable, accounts payable, general ledger, and month-end close activities. The ideal candidate has a strong command of payroll mechanics and brings 1 – 3 years of relevant payroll experience.  Have the accounting skills to operate effectively within a SOX-compliant environment as a subsidiary of a publicly traded company (Quanta Services, NYSE: PWR).

Job Specs “At-a-Glance”

• Position: Direct Hire, Permanent & Full-Time
• Location: On-site at Cheektowaga NY office
• Salary: $64 – 74K (DOE)
• Schedule: Full-Time, Monday through Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm. Occasional extended hours at month-end and payroll cycles
• Benefits Package: BCBS Health, Vision, MetLife Dental, 401k Match, Summer Hours, generous PTO, 11 Paid Holidays, HSA plan, and much more
• Time to Fill: ASAP

Primary Responsibilities

Payroll (Primary Focus)

• Process weekly payroll for all NPT employees using the payroll system (Paylocity), ensuring accuracy of hours, earnings, deductions, and withholdings
• Reconcile payroll registers to GL accounts and resolve discrepancies
• Prepare and post payroll journal entries
• Coordinate with HR on benefit deductions, leave balances, and employee data integrity
• Support gross-up calculations for employee taxable benefits (e.g., gifts, awards) and ensure proper withholding treatment
• Serve as primary contact for employee payroll inquiries and escalate issues as appropriate

Accounts Receivable

• Process and post customer payments; wire, ACH, check and apply to open invoices in M1 ERP
• Provide backup support with customer billing and invoice issuance

Accounts Payable

• Enter and process vendor invoices; match to purchase orders and receipts in M1 ERP
• Prepare and process payment runs (ACH, wire, check); ensure proper approvals and coding
• Reconcile vendor statements and resolve invoice discrepancies

General Ledger & Month-End Close

• Prepare and post standard journal entries
• Assist with balance sheet account reconciliations and resolution of reconciling items

Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or business field
• 1 – 3 years of accounting experience and knowledgeable of payroll processing and systems (Paylocity, ADP, Paychex or similar)

Work Experience Preferences

• Paylocity software
• Manufacturing industry background and/or SOX-compliant environment
• Union accounting and payroll

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Relevant experience with payroll systems (ADP, Paychex, Paylocity)

Competencies & Soft Skills

• Work with highest attention to detail and accuracy; payroll errors have direct financial and employee relations impact
• Strong sense of confidentiality and discretion in handling payroll and financial data
• Ability to manage competing deadlines for payroll cycles, month-end close, AP payment runs
• Effective communicator able to work cross-functionally with HR, Operations, and Finance teams
• Self-starter who can work independently while escalating issues appropriately
• Comfortable operating within a structured internal control environment

Please direct all applications to [email protected] with the subject line: Payroll Accountant

This job description reflects the primary duties and responsibilities of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. NPT reserves the right to amend this description at any time. Niagara Power Transformer is an equal opportunity employer.