Payroll Accountant

We are looking for a Payroll Accountant to join a finance team in Etobicoke, Ontario on a Long-term Contract basis. This position plays a key role in delivering accurate payroll processing for a unionized workforce while supporting reporting, reconciliations, budgeting, and year-end financial activities. The successful candidate will work closely with Finance, HR, Operations, and external partners to maintain payroll integrity, respond to employee enquiries, and strengthen payroll controls and documentation.

Responsibilities:

• Process bi-weekly payroll for approximately 250 employees within a complex and unionized environment, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and deadlines are consistently met.

• Review payroll results and complete reconciliations for remittances, deductions, benefits, pension-related items, and other statutory and non-statutory obligations.

• Prepare payroll-related journal entries, support general ledger balancing, and contribute to compensation schedules used for budgeting and management reporting.

• Coordinate year-end payroll activities, including tax slips, government reporting, pension submissions, and other required filings.

• Produce payroll analysis and financial reporting such as overtime trends, labour cost fluctuations, vacation liability, benefits costs, and budget-to-actual comparisons.

• Support payroll system enhancements by participating in testing, validation, issue resolution, and parallel payroll activities during system or process changes.

• Maintain payroll procedures and documentation, assist with knowledge sharing across the finance team, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

• Respond to payroll and benefits questions from employees and collaborate with internal departments and external vendors to support efficient payroll operations.

• Assist with ad hoc reporting, statistical analysis, staff meetings, training activities, and compliance with workplace safety and organizational policies

• Post-secondary education in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in payroll, accounting, or a closely related finance role, with exposure to complex payroll environments.
• PCP or CPM designation, or current progress toward payroll certification, is considered a strong asset.
• Hands-on experience with payroll platforms such as Dayforce, UKG Pro, or UKG Ready, along with strong Excel and account reconciliation skills.
• Knowledge of payroll remittances, benefits administration, year-end reporting, and payroll journal entry preparation.
• Familiarity with accounting systems, payroll reporting, and financial data analysis; experience in non-profit or fund accounting is an asset.
• Strong organizational, communication, and time management abilities, with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, solve problems effectively under pressure, and meet compliance requirements, including completion of a criminal record screening required for all candidates.