Senior Payroll Accountant

Job description

JOB SUMMARY The Senior Payroll Accountant is responsible for managing payroll accounting, financial reporting, reconciliations, controls, and compliance activities relating to payroll across multiple countries within the Asia Pacific region. The role serves as the key liaison between Payroll Operations, Finance, Human Resources, Tax, and outsourced Payroll Service providers to ensure payroll-related financial transactions are accurately recorded and reported in accordance with accounting standards, statutory requirements, and company policies. This position plays a critical role in payroll accounting governance, balance sheet reconciliation, general ledger management, month-end and year-end close processes, audit support, payroll tax accounting, and continuous process improvement. The incumbent will partner closely with regional and corporate stakeholders to ensure payroll financial data is accurate, complete, and timely while maintaining a strong internal control environment. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS Primary Business Partners: Regional and Corporate Finance & Accounting Teams Regional Business Leaders and Department Managers Payroll Operations Team Human Resources Business Partners (HRBP) Compensation & Benefits Teams Shared Services Leaderships Team Internal Audit and Compliance Teams Interfaces With: Outsourced Payroll Service Providers Payroll Accounting and Shared Service Teams External Auditors Government and Statutory Authorities HRIS and Payroll System Administrators Banking Partners JOB SPECIFIC TASKS Payroll Accounting and Financial Reporting Manage payroll accounting activities across multiple Asia Pacific countries. Prepare payroll journals, accruals, and accounting entries prepared from payroll processing results. Ensure payroll-related transactions are accurately recorded in the general ledger. Prepare and review monthly payroll accounting schedules and supporting documentation. Reconcile payroll-related balance sheet accounts, including salaries payable, accrued bonuses, leave liabilities, statutory liabilities, and employee benefit accounts. Analyze payroll expenses and investigate variances between payroll reports and financial records. Partner with Finance teams to ensure payroll costs are properly allocated across business units and cost centers. Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing activities related to payroll accounting. Payroll Reconciliation and Control Perform payroll-to-general ledger reconciliations to ensure completeness and accuracy. Review payroll funding and payment reconciliations. Prepare payroll analytics, analyze payroll trends, liabilities and expense movements Investigate and resolve payroll accounting discrepancies and reconciling items on a timely basis. Maintain strong internal controls over payroll accounting processes and financial reporting. Ensure compliance with corporate accounting policies, financial controls, and delegated authority requirements. Support SOX and internal control compliance requirements where applicable. Payroll Controls & Tax Accounting Support payroll tax accounting and statutory reporting requirements across APAC countries. Ensure accurate accounting and reporting of payroll taxes, social security obligations, and employee benefit liabilities. Prepare payroll-related provisions and accruals for financial reporting purposes. Monitor changes in payroll accounting regulations and reporting requirements. Partner with controllership team and Payroll Operations teams to ensure statutory obligations are appropriately accounted for. Audit and Governance Prepare payroll accounting schedules and reconciliations for internal and external audits. Support audit inquiries and provide payroll-related financial documentation. Maintain complete and accurate payroll accounting documentation in accordance with company policies. Ensure payroll accounting records are retained in compliance with regulatory and corporate requirements. Identify accounting risks and recommend process improvements to strengthen controls Shared Services Operations & Controls Overall accountability for the shared services delivery of core payroll activities processes including but not limited to Accounting, Planning and Analysis, Tax, Business Partner Relations, Ensure compliance with payroll policies, IFRS/GAAP, and reporting requirements. Maintain accurate supporting documentation and audit trails. Execute and document SOX controls and other key control activities. Support statutory and regulatory reporting requirements where applicable. Ensure adherence to Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and operational performance targets. Support governance initiatives and control enhancement programs Governance and Controls: Maintain strict confidentiality of employee payroll and financial information Collaborate with regional stakeholders to resolve payroll accounting issues. Support special projects and assignments as directed by management. Promote compliance and risk awareness across payroll operations activities. Continuous Improvement & Transformation Participate in payroll system implementations, upgrades, and testing activities. Support automation initiatives relating to payroll accounting, reporting, and reconciliations. Support integration activities relating to acquisitions, business expansions, or organizational changes. Perform other duties as assigned. CANDIDATE PROFILE Preferred Education and Experience Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline. Professional accounting qualification (CPA, CA, ACCA, or equivalent) is preferred. Minimum 5–7 years of accounting experience, including payroll accounting and financial reconciliations. Experience supporting multi-country APAC payroll accounting activities. Strong understanding of payroll accounting, accruals, provisions, and financial reporting requirements. Experience working with outsourced payroll providers and payroll systems. Experience supporting payroll audits, reconciliations, and payroll accounting activities Advanced Microsoft Excel skills. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Excellent attention to detail and accuracy. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills. Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment. High level of integrity and confidentiality. Ability to work independently and collaboratively across regional teams. COMPETENCIES, BASIC SKILLS, PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS Managing Execution Driving for Results – Delivers accurate and timely outputs. Planning and Organizing – Effectively manages priorities during close cycles. Accountability – Takes ownership of assigned processes and deliverables. Building Relationships Collaboration – Works effectively across teams and geographies. Stakeholder Management – Builds productive relationships with internal business partners. Customer Focus – Provides responsive and high-quality support. Learning and Applying Professional Expertise Technical Accounting Knowledge – Applies accounting principles and policies effectively. Financial Analysis – Interprets financial information and identifies key drivers. Governance and Controls – Maintains a strong control and compliance mindset. Continuous Improvement – Identifies and implements operational efficiencies. Business Acumen – Understands business impacts and financial outcomes. Marriott Vacations Worldwide is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture.