Staff Accountant

As Festival’s store count continues to grow, our Finance & Accounting organization does too!  Join us in this newly developed Payroll Accountant role, which will lead payroll process improvement and serve as the accounting lead in the payroll portal within our UKG HRIS system.  If you have an accounting background with payroll expertise, a passion for systems, and are ready to make a difference – we want to talk with you!

Job Title:             Payroll Accountant        

FLSA Status:       Salary

Reports To:         Accounting Assistant Director

The Payroll Accountant’s primary focus is to manage the systems and procedures associated with preparation, review, processing and reconciling of payroll-related activities.  This position is also responsible for general ledger account reconciliations associated with payroll and benefit accounts and for serving as the primary contact for payroll-related items on audits. The Payroll Accountant will work directly with our Human Resources and Accounting teams. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES

• Manage payroll portion of HRIS system including system configuration, payroll processing activities, wage computations, payroll deductions, pay advances, and associate terminations
• Stay up to date on state and federal payroll laws and regulations
• Complete payroll and benefit related general ledger account reconciliations, including payroll related accruals
• Complete payroll and benefit related expense planning associated with annual operating plan
• Assist with annual 401(k), ESOP and financial audits, providing support schedules, fielding inquiries, and coordinating auditor requests
• Drive payroll related process improvements
• Lead projects related to payroll including system changes and/or enhancements; participate in projects impacting payroll
• Function as a backup when needed, conducting all activities necessary to process payroll within Festival’s HRIS platform
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the organization on all matter related to payroll
• Remain flexible and support the team in additional capacities as needed
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Strict adherence to confidentiality
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to develop and lead strong processes and controls
• Excellent organizational skills
• Willingness and ability to solve problems
• Ability to work effectively across multiple levels of the organization and with our vendor partners
• Associate degree or equivalent experience required (Bachelor’s degree in in Accounting or related field preferred)

• 3 years accounting or payroll experience preferred

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment described below is representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

• Able to sit or stand 90% of the time
• Continual use of manual dexterity and gross motor skills with frequent use of bi-manual dexterity and fine motor skills

WORK SCHEDULE

The Payroll Lead is a full-time salaried position.  The work schedule will include mornings and afternoons.

At Festival Foods we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We are dedicated to building a top-notch team of skilled, experienced and service-oriented associates who represent a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and talents. Festival Foods believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates, products, and our community strengthen our ability to serve our guests, as we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people. 

Festival Foods serves guests in over 30 full-service, state-of-the-art supermarkets throughout Wisconsin. At Festival Foods, we're not simply selling groceries, we're on a mission!  Every business decision we make is based on our "Boomerang Principle"--empowering our associates to make decisions and take actions that will "Bring the Customer Back". We are proud to be a family and employee-owned company.