Payroll Accounting Intern

Starting Pay: $16.00 – $18.00 per hour

Employment Type: Part-Time / Full-Time Internship

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana (On-Site)

Position Overview

1. S.W.A.A. Tax & Financial Consultant Corp is seeking a dependable and hardworking Payroll Accounting Intern to assist with payroll processing and related accounting functions. This is an excellent entry-level opportunity for candidates with a strong work ethic and foundational accounting experience.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

1. Assist with processing weekly, bi-weekly, and semi-monthly payroll for clients
2. Verify employee timesheets, hours worked, and pay rates for accuracy
3. Calculate payroll deductions including federal and state taxes, benefits, and garnishments
4. Maintain payroll records and employee files in compliance with applicable regulations
5. Prepare and distribute payroll reports and summaries to clients and management
6. Support the preparation and filing of payroll tax forms (941, W-2, W-3, etc.)
7. Assist with year-end payroll processing and reconciliation
8. Respond to employee and client inquiries related to payroll under supervisor guidance

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

1. High school diploma or GED equivalent (required)
2. Prior accounting, bookkeeping, or payroll experience — academic, vocational, or professional (required)
3. Basic math proficiency and strong numerical aptitude
4. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential employee information with discretion
5. Strong attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy
6. Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word)
7. Reliable, punctual, and professional demeanor

Preferred Qualifications

1. Some college coursework in accounting, business, or a related field
2. Familiarity with payroll software (ADP, Paychex, QuickBooks Payroll, or similar)
3. Understanding of federal and Indiana state payroll tax regulations
4. Customer service experience in a professional setting

Learning Objectives

Here are learning objectives for the Payroll Accounting Intern role, organized by responsibility area:

Payroll Processing

1. Accurately assist with processing weekly, bi-weekly, and semi-monthly payroll runs for multiple clients with minimal errors.
2. Develop familiarity with different payroll schedules and the distinct procedures/deadlines each requires.

Timesheet & Pay Rate Verification

1. Verify employee timesheets, hours worked, and pay rates against source documents to ensure accuracy before payroll is processed.
2. Identify and flag discrepancies (e.g., overtime miscalculations, missing punches, incorrect rates) before they result in payroll errors.

Payroll Deductions & Calculations

1. Accurately calculate federal and state tax withholdings, benefit deductions, and garnishments in accordance with current regulations.
2. Explain the purpose and hierarchy of different deduction types (taxes vs. benefits vs. garnishments) to ensure conceptual understanding, not just rote calculation.

Recordkeeping & Compliance

1. Maintain accurate, organized, and compliant payroll records and employee files in line with federal/state recordkeeping requirements.
2. Demonstrate understanding of confidentiality and data security standards required when handling sensitive employee and client information.

Payroll Reporting

1. Prepare clear, accurate payroll reports and summaries suitable for distribution to clients and management.
2. Interpret payroll summary data well enough to identify and flag anomalies (e.g., unexpected variances from prior periods) before distribution.

Payroll Tax Filing Support

1. Assist in preparing and filing payroll tax forms (941, W-2, W-3, etc.) accurately and within regulatory deadlines.
2. Develop a working understanding of the purpose of each form and how it fits into the broader payroll tax compliance cycle.

Year-End Processing & Reconciliation

1. Support year-end payroll processing, including reconciliation of payroll records against general ledger and tax filings.
2. Identify common year-end discrepancies (e.g., unreported fringe benefits, missing adjustments) and understand how they're corrected.

Client & Employee Communication

1. Respond professionally and accurately to employee and client payroll inquiries under supervisor guidance.
2. Apply discretion in determining when an inquiry can be answered directly versus when it should be escalated to a senior accountant (e.g., disputes, compliance questions).

Leadership & Professional Growth

1. Demonstrate ownership and reliability in meeting strict payroll deadlines, given the time-sensitive nature of payroll processing.
2. Take initiative in double-checking work and proactively communicating potential issues (e.g., timesheet discrepancies) before they become payroll errors.
3. Seek and apply feedback from supervisors to continuously improve accuracy and efficiency in payroll calculations and reporting

Contact Information