Payroll Staff Accountant

The Opportunity

As our Payroll Staff Accountant, you’ll lead end-to-end payroll processing while ensuring accuracy, compliance, and financial integrity across payroll and related liabilities. From reconciling payroll and benefits to supporting reporting and internal controls, your work keeps employees paid correctly and the organization financially sound. In this highly collaborative role, you’ll partner with HR, Finance, and external vendors to maintain a reliable payroll experience and strong accounting practices.

We’re looking for someone who thrives on precision, brings strong problem-solving skills, and takes pride in keeping critical financial processes running smoothly.

Central Oregon Pediatric Associates (COPA) has been caring for kids and families in Central Oregon for over 50 years, building lifelong relationships and helping children thrive from newborns to teens. Our mission is to provide exceptional, right-fit care for kids at every age and stage, and our vision is to improve the health of all kids in our community. We do this in a welcoming, inclusive environment where collaboration, openness, play and accountability are part of how we care, not just what we do.

At COPA, you’ll work alongside people who value kindness, teamwork, and earning families’ trust every single day.

• Process end-to-end bi-weekly payroll, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and adherence to deadlines
• Review payroll inputs including earnings, deductions, taxes, benefit elections, and time data for accuracy
• Process off-cycle payrolls including final paychecks, PTO payouts, corrections, and manual adjustments in accordance with policy and wage laws
• Ensure payroll funding, tax filings, and liability payments are completed accurately and timely
• Maintain payroll records, audit trails, and supporting documentation
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies and employee inquiries

• Prepare and post payroll journal entries, including wages, taxes, benefits, and accruals
• Reconcile payroll registers and reports to general ledger accounts each pay period
• Maintain and reconcile payroll liability accounts, including taxes, garnishments, and benefit with holdings
• Reconcile benefit provider invoices (medical, dental, vision, retirement, and other programs) to payroll deductions and enrollment records
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies between vendor billings, payroll records, and financial statements
• Support month-end and year-end close activities related to payroll and labor expense

• Provide general support for accounts payable processing, including invoice entry and coding
• Assist with weekly check runs and payment preparation
• Maintain vendor records and supporting documentation
• Respond to routine vendor inquiries regarding payment status
• Support 1099 tracking and year-end reporting processes

• Assist employees with payroll self-service items such as tax withholding updates and direct deposit changes
• Support payroll reporting, system maintenance, and documentation
• Maintain strict confidentiality of employee and payroll information

• Ensure payroll activities comply with federal, state, and local wage and tax regulations
• Follow established internal controls and maintain clear audit trails
• Support internal and external audits related to payroll and benefits
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, accuracy, and efficiency

• 401k and Profit sharing
• HSA, HRA and FSA Enrollment
• Medical, Life, Vision and Dental Insurance
• Supplemental insurance Options
• Pediatric Care Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• High school diploma or GED required
• Associate degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field preferred
• Valid Oregon driver’s license (if position requires travel between locations)

• Minimum of 3 years of payroll processing experience in a multi-employee environment
• Experience reconciling payroll registers, benefit deductions, and payroll-related liabilities
• Working knowledge of…