Management Accountant EIMEA – Payroll and Benefits
Find out exactly what skills, experience, and qualifications you will need to succeed in this role before applying below.
- Category: Finance
- Country: United Kingdom
Overview
This role is responsible for delivering timely analysis, reconciliations, and commentary on payroll and benefits accounts, ensuring alignment between payroll and HR systems and managing vendor relationships.
It will safeguard the accuracy and compliance of payroll and benefit-related financial reporting across EIMEA, covering share-based payments, bonus and vacation accruals, in line with GAAP and global accounting policies. The position will lead compensation and benefits audits, oversee company benefit schemes, and enhance processes to ensure adherence to SOX requirements, best accounting practices, and improved operational efficiency.
What You’ll Be Doing
General Ledger Accounting – Payroll and Benefits
Prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll and benefit accounting entries, analytical reviews, and associated reporting. Is responsible for:
- Monthly payroll and benefit general ledger accounting, including intercompany recharges, global employee accounting, share-based payments, PSA, vacation accruals, and bonus accruals.
- Calculating journals with appropriate supporting evidence for review by finance managers and external auditors.
- Liaising with USA Corporate and employment-related providers to obtain timely and accurate data for accounting purposes.
- Owning the payroll caption for all postings and analysis across EIMEA.
- Managing payroll month-end close procedures, including compiling reports, tracking, and analyses.
- Maintaining balance sheet reconciliations for relevant captions, ensuring best practice and audit readiness.
- Reviewing and analysing P&L fluctuations for payroll, payroll tax, and other employee cost captions.
- Performing Peer-to-Peer (P2P) reviews of journals, ensuring accurate postings and sufficient evidence.
- Providing meaningful analysis of financial statement captions and explaining key drivers to Finance Leadership.
- Participating in monthly close calls and taking ownership of action points.
- Developing and improving internal controls related to payroll and benefits; acting as SOX control owner.
- Leading quarterly reviews and annual audits with external auditors for payroll and benefits.
- Troubleshooting obstacles to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
- Building relationships with local teams to ensure successful month-end processes.
- Providing coaching and guidance to finance team members and branch support services.
- Offering cover and support to other team members where necessary.
Payroll Accounting
Responsible for all aspects of payroll for the UK and other EIMEA entities. Duties include:
- Developing and maintaining payroll policies and procedures.
- Preparing and processing monthly payrolls accurately and timely using external providers.
- Calculating and posting gross/net earnings, bonuses, stock option exercises, tax withholdings, deductions, allowances, and accruals.
- Preparing monthly payroll reports for authorisation by Finance Leadership.
- Managing starters, leavers, and compensation changes, including audits.
- Responding to employee and external agency inquiries and audit requests.
- Ensuring data accuracy and reporting efficiencies between systems.
- Managing DC pension contributions and participating in the Pension Governance Committee.
- Acting as first-line contact for payroll matters and managing vendor relationships.
Planning and AnalysisCoordinating and preparing EIMEA payroll and headcount budgets as part of annual planning.
- Preparing monthly payroll forecasts and validating eligible earnings for bonus accruals.
- Producing monthly reporting packages for business leaders and reporting to US Corporate Finance.
Process Improvement & Finance Projects
- Supporting implementation of global accounting policy changes and ad-hoc projects.
- Designing and implementing best practice improvements and monitoring success.
- Assisting with IT initiatives and working with the Finance Innovation Team on process improvements.
- Managing ad-hoc finance projects and supporting Tax and Treasury Manager on mobility and expansion projects.
Compliance, Reporting and Tax
- Preparing and submitting ERS, PSA calculations, and HMRC reporting.
- Managing annual P11d process and Class 1A submissions.
- Ensuring timely payroll and benefit-related tax payments.
Alignment with Local Branches
- Collaborating with local teams to ensure timely completion of management accounts.
- Providing accounting guidance and improving data quality and templates.
- Arranging regular meetings with branches to embed accounting policies.
Employee Benefits
- Managing benefits in kind (medical, dental, cars, fuel cards) and coordinating renewals.
- Overseeing company car fleet and salary sacrifice schemes.
- Preparing eligible earnings for growth reward programmes and managing annual pay increase processes.
Employee Mobility
- Managing transfer pricing adjustments and tax neutralisation for multi-jurisdiction payroll.
- Tracking days abroad to ensure compliance with international tax obligations.
Compliance and Risk
- Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of payroll tax legislation and compliance requirements.
- Collaborating with Tax and Legal teams on new permanent establishments and payroll setup.
- Conducting risk assessments and recommending mitigation strategies.
- Reviewing employment-related policies for compliance and best practice.
- Managing payroll providers and tax advisors to ensure alignment with service requirements.
- Building strong relationships with tax advisors and authorities across EIMEA.
What You’ll Bring To The Role
- Strong previous general ledger, month end close, accounting analysis and reconciliations experience.
- Either previous experience or an interest in Payroll and benefits accounting.
- A strong collaborator, an eye for detail and an interest in improving process.
Total Rewards
Our competitive and comprehensive benefits package provides you protection, security, and peace of mind. We offer life-enhancing health, wellness, and financial programs, including profit incentive rewards, healthcare, generous pension contributions. In addition, we want you to recharge and take time off, so enjoy short-day Fridays, paid holidays, and an additional paid week off between Christmas and New year to spend with family and friends!
About Us
At WD-40 Company, we believe that purpose-driven and values guided people create amazing outcomes. Our “why” is refreshingly simple – we exist to create positive lasting memories in everything we do.
Why You Should Apply
- A strong values-aligned organization where contributions are acknowledged and rewarded, and where 91% experiences a sense of belonging.
- A learning-based culture where 85% of our people believe they can achieve their career objectives .
- Over 94% employee engagement as of the Februrary 2025 global employee survey results.
- 99% of our people report that they “love to tell people that they work for WD-40 Company”!
Please, only consider employment with WD-40 Company if you feel as strongly about our values as we do: We live, breathe, and play by our values every day.
Thank you for considering WD-40 Company in your career search!
#PositiveLastingMemories
At WD-40 Company we foster a culture of inclusion where all individuals are recognized, valued, respected, and experience a sense of belonging. xwzovoh All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to individual characteristics that make us unique such as our backgrounds, experiences, qualities, talents, traits, beliefs, and preferences.
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