RTR Sr. Specialist - Payroll Accounting

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

This role is responsible for preparing, reviewing, and analyzing moderate to complex payroll-related journal entries and reconciliations, ensuring accuracy and compliance with policies and accounting standards. The Senior Specialist handles more complex transactions, supports issue resolution, and ensures accurate and timely completion of period-end close activities. 

The role requires solid technical knowledge, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision. The Senior Specialist collaborates with cross-functional teams, supports audits, maintains internal controls, and contributes to process improvements in payroll accounting. 

• Perform end-to-end payroll accounting activities, including complex payroll journals, reconciliations, and reporting. 

• Prepare payroll-related journals such as unpaid salaries and wages, bonuses and incentives, unused vacation and leave balances, statutory accruals, employer contributions to statutory benefits, and other applicable transactions. 

• Review and approve journal entries and reconciliations prepared by junior team members, ensuring accuracy and compliance. 

• Analyze and reconcile variances between timekeeping records and GL data, including mismatches in hours worked vs. paid, overtime or leave discrepancies, payroll output vs. accrual differences, and cost center or wage type mapping issues. 

• Ensure compliance with financial controls, company policies, and external audit requirements. 

• Maintain accurate and audit-ready documentation for payroll accounting processes. 

• Partner with Finance, HR, Payroll/Timekeeping, and other teams to resolve issues and ensure accuracy in payroll reporting. 

• Prepare and validate reports in line with SLAs and contribute to process improvement and efficiency efforts. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy, Finance, or a related field 

• 4-5 years of experience in finance or accounting, with at least 3 years focused on payroll accounting or payroll-related reconciliations 

• Strong knowledge of payroll-related reconciliations (e.g., timekeeping vs. payroll register, payroll vs. GL, accruals vs. actual payouts) 

• Hands-on experience with payroll and accounting systems such as Workday, ADP, ADP GlobalView, or Oracle 

• CPA license is a plus but not required 

• Experience in Blackline system is a plus but not required 

Additional Information

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, and service recognition awards.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.