Staff Accountant, Payroll Focused in Trumbull, Connecticut at The Kennedy Collective Inc

About The Kennedy Collective

The Kennedy Collective is a Connecticut-based nonprofit organization serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD), veterans, and individuals facing barriers to employment. TKC operates across Southern Connecticut through five divisions — Administration, Program Services, Social Enterprises, Workforce Development, and Mobility Services — providing person-centered residential, day program, employment, and community integration services alongside social enterprise businesses that create employment and generate mission-aligned revenue.

TKC's Core Values are to Challenge the Status Quo, Build Community, Create Purpose and Ensure Inclusion. We believe in building high-performing teams, commit to continuous quality improvement, and create real opportunity for the people we serve, those who serve them and the communities we operate in.

Position Summary

The Staff Accountant – Payroll Focus, is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll for approximately 500+ employees across TKC's five operating divisions. This role serves as the primary payroll administrator, ensuring compliance with federal and state wage and hour laws, managing payroll deductions and benefits allocations, reconciling payroll data with general ledger accounts, and supporting month-end and year-end close processes. The position requires strong attention to detail, proficiency in payroll systems, and the ability to handle sensitive employee information with discretion and confidentiality, the position also serves as back-up support to all accounting functions AR/AP/Procurement/Entitlement.

This is a front-line professional role within the Finance team, reporting directly to the Director of Finance. The Staff Accountant collaborates closely with HR, division managers, and program directors to resolve payroll discrepancies, implement time and attendance policies, and continuously improve payroll processes. Success in this role means error-free payroll runs, satisfied employees whose pay is correct and on time, and clean audit trails that support TKC's financial compliance obligations.

Reporting Structure

This position reports directly to the Director of Finance. The Staff Accountant works within the Finance team and collaborates regularly with HR personnel, division managers, and program staff across all TKC locations.

Location and Work Schedule

Primary Work Location: TKC administrative offices, Trumbull, CT

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday (Full-time, 40 hours per week)

Compensation

Compensation Range: $60,000-$80,000 per year (depending on experience)

This is a non-exempt, salary position not-eligible for overtime pay. Benefits include: 401(k) with 4% company match; health, dental, and vision insurance; paid time off; paid sick time; professional development assistance; and employee assistance program.

Key Accountabilities

• Own the full-cycle payroll process for 500+ employees, ensuring accurate and timely bi-weekly payroll runs with 100% on-time completion.

• Process payroll deductions for benefits (health insurance, 401(k), FSA/HSA), garnishments, child support, and other withholdings with complete accuracy.

• Reconcile payroll accounts to the general ledger, investigate and resolve discrepancies, and support month-end and year-end close processes.

• Respond to employee payroll inquiries professionally and promptly, investigating and resolving pay discrepancies within 48 hours.

• Ensure accuracy of year-end reporting and support external audit requests for payroll-related documentation.

• Stay current on federal, state, and local payroll regulations, implementing process changes as needed to maintain compliance.

Role Expectations and Deliverables

Core Expectations

• Maintain absolute confidentiality of employee pay and personal information; access and discuss payroll data only as required for job duties.

• Deliver error-free payroll runs with zero tolerance for missed deadlines or critical calculation errors.

• Respond to employee inquiries within 48 hours with professional, complete, and courteous communication.

• Complete all reconciliations and month-end close activities accurately and on schedule.

Daily

• Process timesheet approvals from managers and flag discrepancies for resolution.

• Respond to employee payroll inquiries via phone and email.

• Update employee records for new hires, terminations, and status changes.

Weekly

• Complete bi-weekly payroll processing cycle including final review and submission.

• Review and reconcile payroll register for accuracy before final approval.

Monthly

• Reconcile payroll liability accounts and prepare journal entries for general ledger.

• Reconcile and submit workers' compensation reports with accurate payroll data.

• Review and update payroll processes and procedures documentation.(as needed)

Scope and Right to Modify

A. Acknowledgment of Scope and Right to Modify. The employee acknowledges that this job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or Key Accountabilities required of this position, nor is it a contract of employment. Duties, responsibilities, and Key Accountabilities may change at any time, with or without notice, and The Kennedy Collective reserves the sole and exclusive right to add, remove, or modify any roles, responsibilities, or requirements as it deems necessary to ensure successful operational impact. The employee agrees to perform other duties as assigned.

B. Work Location. The Kennedy Collective reserves the right to change or adjust the employee's work location at any time, with or without advance notice, and the employee agrees to report to and perform duties at such location(s) as directed by management.

Competencies

• Detail Orientation – Maintains high levels of accuracy when processing numerical data; catches errors before they impact employees or financial statements.

• Confidentiality and Discretion – Handles sensitive employee information with utmost care; understands boundaries of appropriate information sharing.

• Process Improvement – Identifies inefficiencies in payroll workflows and proposes practical solutions to improve accuracy and reduce processing time.

• Stakeholder Communication – Communicates clearly with employees, managers, and external agencies; explains payroll matters in plain language.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting in accounting, finance, or related field preferred.

• Minimum 2 years of experience processing payroll for a multi-location organization with 200+ employees.

• Demonstrated proficiency with payroll software systems (Paylocity, ADP, or equivalent); proficiency in Microsoft Excel including pivot tables and VLOOKUP.

• Working knowledge of federal and Connecticut wage and hour laws, overtime rules, and tax withholding requirements.

• Experience with general ledger account reconciliation and month-end close processes.

• Valid driver's license and ability to work legally in the United States.

• Must pass background check as required for employment at a nonprofit serving vulnerable populations.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or business administration.

• Experience with nonprofit accounting, grant-funded programs, or cost allocation methodologies.

• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics BC or similar cloud-based accounting systems.

• Experience processing payroll for employees under Service Contract Labor Standards (SCLS/SCA).

• Experience with multi-state payroll processing (CT, NY, PA, RI).

Physical Demands and Work Environment

This is a sedentary office position requiring the following:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer (6-8 hours daily)

• Ability to view computer monitors for extended periods

• Occasional lifting of files and supplies up to 5 pounds

• Occasional walking to other departments or office areas

The Kennedy Collective is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer that is committed to equal employment opportunity for all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, genetic information, military service, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Minorities, Women, Individuals with Disabilities, and Veterans are especially encouraged to apply.