Accountant 3 - Payroll & Benefits Accounting

What You Will Do

The Controller Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) provides trusted financial services that support national security and the Laboratory's mission. We offer efficient, transparent financial solutions across areas such as accounting, compliance, payroll, benefits, institutional tax, retirement, travel, disbursements, financial reporting, corporate accounting, and business systems. Our specialized groups ensure operational excellence and financial accountability. Driven by integrity, innovation, and collaboration, we continuously strive for world-class financial operations that align with LANL's broader goals. Join us in shaping the future of financial management and supporting our scientific and security missions.

The Controller Division is seeking to hire a highly motivated, energetic, and customer-focused Accountant 3 to join the Payroll & Benefits Accounting (CNTL-PBA) Group supporting the Oracle Payroll Team. The selected candidate will report to the Oracle Payroll Manager and will provide support to the mission of the group by ensuring accurate, complaint, and timely compensation and benefits processing for LANL's workforce. The group collaborates with HR, Legal, IT, unions, and external vendors to deliver labor-related services that support operational continuity, financial accuracy, and regulatory adherence. The selected candidate models institutional values by behaving with integrity, providing institutional stewardship, and being cognizant of and acting upon the best interests of the Laboratory. Assigned functions of this job may vary, and other duties and responsibilities may be assigned or changed at the discretion of management. Must be reliable and available to work outside a regular schedule.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversees the end-to-end enterprise payroll cycle, from timecard transfer (OTL) to payroll calculation, GL posting, and disbursement.
• Processes supplemental pay, PTO accrual adjustments, military leave calculations, and manual labor corrections to ensure payroll accuracy.
• Coordinates with HR on STD, FMLA, and termination transactions, including new hire onboarding for W-4 and direct deposit data.
• Manages all output files to cashiers and print vendors, creates monthly vouchers, and reconciles payroll accounts and liabilities.
• Assist in developing and implementing new audit techniques and procedures to address a changing business environment.
• Assist with oversight of the day-to-day operations and work closely with Logistics, Labor Relations, and multiple Information Technology organizations.
• Reconciles payroll to General Ledger, audits accounts, reconciliations and performs system testing.
  
  

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

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Payroll Experience

Demonstrated experience as part of a payroll team within a medium-to large, complex organization that includes a proven ability prioritizing and effectively handling multiple responsibilities within strict deadlines. Subject matter experience gained during years of experience, training and certifications. Demonstrated broad ability to interpret policy and support compliance via payroll/time collection systems, processes and controls. Ability to proactively identify and help implement process improvements. Comprehensive experience with accounting, benefits accounting, and tax accounting. Working knowledge of downstream impacts related to payroll and accounting. Demonstrated experience reviewing audit exceptions requiring interpretation of contract or intent and interpretation of decision.

Payroll/Regulations

Demonstrated experience payroll function with complex customer requirements and a broad understanding of accounting and finance functions. Demonstrated knowledge of accounting/financial concepts and principles that include Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) and proper application of internal controls for a payroll operation. Demonstrated knowledge of IRS regulations and year-end payroll reporting requirements; local, state, federal and DOL regulations and reporting requirements. Strong problem solving and analytical skills; demonstrated ability to research payroll and business issues.

Problem Solving

Experience and proven ability in researching, troubleshooting and resolving issues to include preparing studies on complex subjects for management by identifying problem areas, investigating and recommending alternative solutions and determining cost implications. Ability to take ownership of problems, work as a team member, and work independently toward resolution. Ability to perform reconciliations.

Communication/Teamwork/Organization

Demonstrated excellence and experience in the following: communicating and presenting detailed, complex information in an understandable manner across a diverse range of audiences; effectively interacting with customers, peers and management; excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills; demonstrated ability to work effectively within a team with stringent deadlines, interruptions and changing priorities with a high degree of accuracy and accountability. Advanced organizational skills in prioritizing and executing business and financial assignments. Excellent organizational skills with the ability to independently manage priorities and projects.

Technical Experience

Demonstrated experience with payroll, time and labor system data integration in enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to facilitate troubleshooting. Experience with Microsoft Office tools, especially Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Education/Experience:

Position requires a bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a related field and 8 years of experience; or the equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience directly related to the occupation. A master's degree is preferred.

Desired Qualifications:

• Certified Payroll Professional a plus

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• Advanced knowledge of IRS regulations and year-end Payroll reporting requirements
• Experience providing counsel, advice and assistance to management on matters dealing with government legislation and DOE contract compliance
• Experience using Enterprise software in support of payroll operations
  
  

Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation):Work Environment:

Work Location: The work location for this position is telework and is located in Los Alamos. Telework is defined as working from offsite but within 2 hours ground commute of this location. Reporting onsite may be periodically necessary. All work locations are at the discretion of management and can change at any time with appropriate notice.

Position Committment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Note to Applicants:

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance

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• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
  
  

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.