Payroll Accountant

Until 10/5/2026 3+ years exp First posted August 6, 2026 Last posted August 6, 2026
Job description
General Atomics (GA) and its affiliated companies are among the world's leading resources for high-technology systems development, ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless, and laser technologies.
We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Payroll Accountant III to join our Payroll Department in San Diego (Torrey Pines), CA.

The Payroll Accountant III performs advanced professional accounting work supporting payroll financial activities and general accounting functions. This position is responsible for ensuring payroll-related financial transactions are accurately recorded, reconciled, and reported in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), company policies, and internal controls.

Working collaboratively with Payroll, Human Resources, Corporate Accounting, Treasury, and other cross-functional departments, the Payroll Accountant III prepares payroll-related journal entries, reconciles general ledger accounts, performs month-end, quarter-end, and year-end account reconciliations, analyzes financial data, and supports the financial close process. The position also assists with financial reporting, internal and external audits, and helps maintain the accuracy and integrity of payroll accounting records.
In addition to payroll accounting responsibilities, this role performs a broad range of general accounting duties, including preparing and reviewing journal entries, performing account analyses and reconciliations, supporting financial reporting activities, and identifying opportunities to improve accounting processes and strengthen internal controls. The Payroll Accountant III also participates in process improvement initiatives, system enhancements, and cross-functional projects that enhance operational efficiency and ensure compliance with organizational policies.

This position serves as a key resource for payroll accounting matters, providing technical guidance and supporting the development and implementation of accounting procedures that promote accurate financial reporting and effective internal controls.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, analytical, and experienced in payroll and general accounting, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a high degree of accuracy, confidentiality, sound judgment, and professionalism.

Duties and Responsibilities:
  1. Administers and maintains payroll accounting processes to ensure accurate recording, reconciliation, and reporting of employee compensation, deductions, benefits, and related payroll financial transactions.
  2. Prepares, reviews, and reconciles payroll-related journal entries, general ledger accounts, accruals, and account balances in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), company policies, and internal controls.
  3. Performs monthly, quarterly, and annual reconciliations of payroll-related accounts, including wages, benefits, paid time off liabilities, workers’ compensation, garnishments, and other payroll-related balances.
  4. Supports payroll accounting close activities by analyzing payroll transactions, resolving discrepancies, and ensuring payroll financial information is accurately reflected in the general ledger.
  5. Conducts payroll account reviews and audits to verify the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of payroll transactions and supporting accounting records.
  6. Supports year-end accounting activities by preparing payroll-related reconciliations, schedules, analyses, and supporting documentation.
  7. Assists with internal and external audits by providing payroll accounting records, reconciliations, supporting documentation, and financial analyses.
  8. Develops, documents, and maintains payroll accounting procedures, internal controls, and process documentation to support accurate financial reporting, operational efficiency, and data integrity.
  9. Participates in payroll system implementations, upgrades, testing, and process improvement initiatives to enhance accounting processes, reporting capabilities, and operational effectiveness.
  10. Prepares payroll-related financial analyses, account reconciliations, accrual calculations, and management reports to support accounting and business reporting requirements.
  11. Collaborates with Payroll, Human Resources, Accounting, and other departments to resolve issues, improve processes, and ensure accurate payroll-related financial information.
  12. Serves as a subject matter resource for payroll accounting activities, providing guidance and support related to accounting processes, reconciliations, and reporting requirements.
  13. Supports acquisitions and other corporate transactions by assessing payroll accounting impacts and providing related financial analysis.
  14. Maintains confidentiality of employee payroll information and ensures compliance with applicable privacy, data protection, and record retention requirements.
  15. Responsible for observing all laws, regulations, and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company.
  16. Expected to work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures, policies, and practices.
  17. Participates in special projects involving payroll accounting, system enhancements, process automation, reporting improvements, and operational initiatives.
  18. Performs other duties as assigned or required.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.
About this role

Summary

Perform payroll and general accounting, reconciliations, and support financial reporting.

Job title

Payroll Accountant III

Experience level

advanced professional

Minimum experience

3+ years exp

Industry

high-technology systems

Location requirements

San Diego, CA; remote not specified

Salary

Not specified

Management role

No

Skills & keywords

Required skills

accountingGAAPreconciliationfinancial analysisinternal controls

Preferred skills

None specified

Specializations

payrollaccountingfinancial analysisGAAPreconciliation
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

No structured locations extracted for this role yet.