Accountant (Payroll/Benefits)

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability. 

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

Job Description

We have an opening for a Payroll/Benefits Accountant 3 to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.  You will be responsible for the preparation, analysis, maintenance, reconciliation, and review of complex institutional benefits and payroll accounting reporting information. This position requires a strong foundation in accounting principles along with knowledge of employee benefits and payroll processing. This position is in the Financial Accounting & Treasury Division of the Finance Department within the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO).

This position may offer a hybrid schedule, which includes the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week, after a probationary period. The specifics of the hybrid schedule, including the exact number of days required in the office and virtual work options may vary based on the needs of the team and the organization.

You will

• Assist the Group Leader in oversight and guidance to the Payroll group’s exempt and non-exempt personnel.
• Apply GAAP and institutional accounting policies to independently analyze, reconcile and interpret complex benefits and payroll accounting data, including:
  • Reconciliation of balance sheet accounts and bank statements associated with Health and Welfare vendors
  • Preparation of complex financial, benefits, and payroll reports for management
  • Review and processing of book transfers
  • Preparation and review of journal entries for General Ledger (GL) reporting.
• Perform calendar year end activities for self-insured medical and dental plans, including accruals, reserves, and reconciliations.
  • Manage accounting activities related to active and inactive employee benefits, including recording receipts from participants
  • Ensuring accurate and timely payments to vendors
  • Reconciling premium and claim activity to GL and vendor statements.
• Perform tax analysis of tuition payments in collaboration with HR  and Payroll.
• Provide benefit cost and payroll impact information to other Laboratory finance and operations units and support budget and forecast activities as needed.
• Foster effective relationships with customers and colleagues, and participate in directorate working groups to represent benefits accounting perspectives.
• Provide advice and support to the exempt and non-exempt pay desks for on-cycle and off-cycle payroll processing; serve as a resource on accounting treatment for complex benefits transactions. 
• Provide audit support to complex internal and external audits related to benefits accounting; implement corrective actions related to operational issues and perform self-assessments.
• Lead or significantly contribute to the development, documentation, and implementation of payroll and benefit accounting processes and system enhancements with institutional wide impact.
• Independently analyze and research complex system functionality, testing, reporting and data discrepancies to ensure integrity in financial reporting and compliance with policies.
• Prepare clear, concise financial memos, process documentation, desk procedures, and management presentations related to payroll and benefits accounting.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. Citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or equivalent combination of related experience, education, and training in the finance/accounting/tax field.
• Strong understanding of accounting fundamentals and theory, including:
  • Debits / credits, accrual accounting, and general ledger structure
  • Balance sheet and income statement relationships
  • Account reconciliation and variance analysis.
• Demonstrated experience in Benefits accounting (e.g., retirement plans, premiums, claims, reserves, employer / employee cost sharing, vendor reconciliation).
• Understanding of tax impact related to employee benefits (e.g. tuition payments, HSA/FSA, retirement plans).
• Leadership role in a project team or working unit to achieve organizational deliverables and g