Payroll Accountant
Superior Insurance PartnersJobsCloseBy Editorial Insights
Superior Insurance Partners seeks a detail oriented Payroll Accountant to own the payroll cycle onsite in Chicago, processing payroll in Paylocity, maintaining employee data, handling overtime, and reconciling payroll while ensuring compliance with federal, state and local tax laws. The role collaborates with HR and the accounting team to validate timesheets and provide payroll data for monthly and year-end reporting while supporting benefits and 401(k) contributions. Candidates have 2 years payroll experience in insurance or financial services, Paylocity experience, Excel skills, and knowledge of FLSA; CPP a plus. To apply, tailor your resume to highlight Paylocity work, tax filings, and results in accuracy and timeliness, and show cross-functional teamwork.
Superior Insurance Partners is a rapidly growing insurance brokerage platform specializing in commercial lines, personal lines, and employee benefits solutions for businesses and individuals across the United States. Through strategic acquisitions and long-term partnerships with leading independent agencies, Superior has built a strong presence throughout the Midwest and Eastern U.S.
At the core of Superior’s approach is its mission: to improve the lives of its Agency Partners by supporting their personal, professional, and financial goals. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model, Superior develops customized growth strategies tailored to each partner agency’s unique vision and objectives. Agency partners gain access to a robust shared-services platform that includes accounting and finance, recruiting, human resources, AMS/IT support, marketing, and M&A expertise — allowing local agencies to maintain their entrepreneurial culture while benefiting from the scale, resources, and best practices of a larger organization. Long-term economic alignment ensures partners remain invested in the collective success and growth of the platform.
Superior Insurance Partners is backed by Tyree & D'Angelo Partners (“TDP”), a leading Chicago-based private equity firm focused on investing in and partnering with lower middle-market businesses. TDP companies have completed over 1,000 partnerships, have grown to over $4 billion of enterprise value, and TDP has over $1.4 billion of capital under management.
Position Overview:
We are seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Payroll Accountant to join our team. The Payroll Accountant will be responsible for managing the full payroll process, ensuring timely and accurate payroll processing, and maintaining compliance with relevant laws and regulations. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with Paylocity, strong knowledge of payroll accounting, and the ability to collaborate with other departments to support payroll-related tasks.
Key Responsibilities:
- Payroll Processing:
- Administer and process bi-weekly or monthly payroll for all employees using Paylocity, ensuring accuracy and timely distribution.
- Input and update employee data in Paylocity, including new hires, terminations, salary changes, and benefit deductions.
- Process payroll adjustments such as overtime, bonuses, commissions, and reimbursements.
- Verify the accuracy of timesheets, including reviewing work hours, paid time off (PTO), and vacation balances.
- Compliance & Reporting:
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax laws, wage laws, and other payroll regulations.
- Prepare and file payroll tax returns, including federal and state tax filings, quarterly reports (e.g., 941, SUTA), and year-end filings (W-2s).
- Work with auditors during annual payroll audits and provide necessary documentation.
- Maintain accurate records and documentation for payroll-related transactions and reports.
- Payroll Accounting:
- Reconcile payroll accounts and prepare journal entries for payroll-related accounts.
- Assist in the preparation of month-end and year-end financial reports by providing payroll data.
- Support accounting team with processing benefits and 401(k) contributions, deductions, and allocations.
- General Support:
- Assist the accounting department with general administrative and accounting tasks as needed.
- Collaborate with HR to ensure accurate benefits enrollment and deductions.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field (preferred).
- Minimum of 2-3 years of payroll processing experience, ideally within an insurance brokerage or financial services environment.
- Strong experience with Paylocity or similar payroll software.
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel and other MS Office applications.
- Experience with accounting software and reporting tools is a plus.
- In-depth understanding of payroll processes, tax laws, and employee benefit programs.
- Knowledge of FLSA, federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail in all aspects of payroll and accounting.
- Ability to troubleshoot and resolve payroll discrepancies effectively and efficiently.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Payroll certifications (e.g., CPP - Certified Payroll Professional) are a plus.
- Prior experience in an insurance brokerage or similar industry.
- Knowledge of employee benefits, including health insurance, 401(k), and retirement plans.