Senior Payroll Accountant

Summary

Join Instacart's Finance team as a detail-oriented Senior Payroll Accountant. You will manage payroll data integrity across multiple systems, ensure accurate financial reporting, and support compliance. This role involves general ledger accounting, collaboration with HR and Compliance, and strategic partnership across functions. You will prepare journal entries, reconcile payroll data, lead audit activities, and respond to reporting requests. The position also includes troubleshooting payroll issues, maintaining system integrations, performing month-end close tasks, and supporting payroll forecasting and budgeting. You will identify process improvements and coordinate with international teams on foreign payroll accounting and compliance.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Accounting
• 3+ years of payroll accounting experience, with exposure to international payroll considered a plus
• Strong understanding of payroll accounting principles, including how payroll expenses are booked and reconciled in the GL
• Familiarity with GAAP and SOX compliance requirements as they relate to payroll and financial reporting
• Hands-on experience with payroll systems, preferably including Workday, ADP, and Oracle Fusion
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP, SUMIFS, and data reconciliation techniques
• A collaborative mindset with excellent communication skills and a commitment to continuous improvement

Responsibilities

• Prepare and post payroll journal entries, ensuring accurate uploads into the accounting system with attention to detail and compliance with GAAP
• Reconcile payroll data across systems including Workday, ADP, Oracle, Workiva, and others, maintaining integrity and accuracy in all financial records
• Lead payroll-related audit activities, including preparation of schedules and data for internal, external, and SOX audits related to benefits and compliance
• Respond to ad hoc reporting requests, delivering timely and accurate payroll data for internal stakeholders and special projects
• Troubleshoot complex payroll issues, resolving discrepancies at both the employee and company level in a timely manner
• Maintain system integrations and mapping, ensuring accurate data flow between payroll systems and Oracle accounting
• Perform month end close tasks related to payroll accounting including journal entries, variance analysis, fluctuation explanations and reconciliations
• Partner with FP&A or HR teams to support payroll forecasting and budgeting through accurate historical data and trend analysis
• Identify, recommend, and implement improvements to payroll accounting processes, system workflows, and reporting efficiency
• Prepare and maintain accurate accruals for payroll-related expenses such as bonuses, commissions, vacation/PTO, and other employee benefits
• Coordinate with international teams or third-party providers to ensure proper accounting and compliance for foreign payrolls, including FX impacts and local statutory reporting

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA designation preferred
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations

Benefits

• Instacart provides highly market-competitive compensation and benefits in each location where our employees work
• This role is remote
• This role is eligible for a new hire equity grant as well as annual refresh grants