Payroll Specialist

The Claims Conference is looking for a Payroll Specialist and Bookkeeper to join our Finance Department. The ideal candidate is process and detail oriented, takes initiative, and is motivated to provide an excellent payroll experience for our staff. The skills that will enable your success are problem-solving, strong communication skills, and payroll experience. This individual needs to be highly organized and able to learn new programs and processes quickly.

Note: this is a hybrid position with a minimum of two days in the office.

The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference), a nonprofit organization with offices in New York, Israel, Germany and Austria, secures material compensation for Holocaust survivors around the world. Founded in 1951 by representatives of 23 major international Jewish organizations, the Claims Conference negotiates for and disburses funds to individual survivors and organizations and seeks the return of Jewish property stolen during the Holocaust. As a result of negotiations with the Claims Conference since 1952, the German government has paid more than $95 billion in indemnification to individuals for suffering and losses resulting from persecution by the Nazis. For 2025, the Claims Conference will distribute approximately $530 million in compensation for survivors globally and $960 million for survivors’ welfare needs such as home care, medicine and food.

Responsibilities:

• Payroll
  • Processing the biweekly payroll in ADP Workforce Now;
  • Ensuring all required documentation has proper approvals;
  • Responding to payroll-related inquiries from employees;
  • Assisting in payroll accounting, transaction, reporting, and other related matters;
  • Ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws;
  • Timely reconciling of 401(k) and cafeteria benefits;
  • Performing payroll department operations, including but not limited to maintenance and reconciliation of timecards;
• Accounts Payable
  • Processing vendor invoices, including reviewing documentation:
    • for accuracy and completeness,
    • to ensure it has proper approval,
    • to ensure it adheres to contractual terms, and
    • to make sure any/all other prerequisites have been met prior to payment;
  • Coding activity to the general ledger;
  • Assist in the preparation and remittance of payments;
  • Maintaining vendor files;
  • Communicate and follow-up with both vendors and relevant stakeholders;
  • Assist with credit card and travel reconciliations;
• Assisting with annual audit requests and compliance work;
• Other projects and reporting as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting preferred;
• 3 to 5 years of accounting experience, specifically related to handling payroll and Accounts Payable required;
• Experience running payroll in ADP Workforce Now required;
• Knowledge of SAP Business ByDesign a plus;
• Knowledge of SAP Concur a plus;
• Payroll certification or training a plus;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat;
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment and shift priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail;
• Display a sense of urgency in meeting deadlines.

Claims Conference offers generous benefits, opportunities for professional growth, and competitive salaries based on geographic location. Our target salary range for Payroll Specialist/Bookkeeper in the New York City market is $80,000-$90,000. This salary range represents Claims Conference’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of posting. The final salary for this role will be determined based on careful consideration of a variety of factors, such as the candidate’s exact location, experience in similar roles, and expertise related to the qualifications. This information is offered in support of our commitment to transparency.

The Claims Conference is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of any category protected by law, including (without limitation) race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. In compliance with NYS Labor Law Section 194-a, the Claims Conference does not seek salary history information from job applicants.