Accountant (PayrollBenefits)

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 groups 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.
• Bachelors 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 goals including process improvements or system implementations.
• Advanced experience in developing and maintaining computer-based spreadsheets and report-generation applications (e.g. Microsoft Word Excel PowerPoint) including use of formulas and pivot tables for financial and benefits data.
• Significant experience making effective and timely decisions by applying problem-solving and analytical skills to solve complex issues requiring mature judgment discretion and tact and ability to successfully negotiate desirable outcomes.
• Significant experience researching compiling and analyzing complex financial payroll or benefits data; demonstrated ability to interpret and apply financial policies and procedures.
• Advanced communication both written and verbal interpersonal skills and organizational skills to work independently and as part of a team to effectively explain direct present advise negotiation and influence all levels of management both internal and external to the Laboratory.
• Advanced organizational problem solving and decision-making skills necessary to independently interpret policies advise and recommend actions implement solutions and create detailed and readily understood financial memos briefings documentation and reports.
• Demonstrated ability to establish work priorities execute assignments meeting time-sensitive deadlines and work on multiple tasks simultaneously in a highvolume environment while maintaining accuracy and customer service.

Pay Range

$114900 - $140712 Annually

This is the lowest to highest salary range in good faith we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employees position within the salary range will be based on several factors including but not limited to specific competencies relevant education qualifications certifications experience skills seniority geographic location performance and business or organizational needs.

Additional Information :

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

• Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit  Clearance

  This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

  Pre-Employment Drug Test

  External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

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  Per the Department of Energy (DOE) Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes but not limited to cell phones tablets fitness devices wireless headphones and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

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  Remote Work :

  No

  
  

  Employment Type :

  Full-time