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Payroll Accountant

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Accounting & Finance
Oak Ridge, TN, USA
Posted on Mar 4, 2026

Requisition Id 16021

Overview:

We are seeking a Payroll Accountant who will focus on supporting payroll functions. This position resides in the Payroll Services Group in the Accounting Operations Division of the Business Services Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

  • Work with payroll processing staff, human resources (HR) and management to identify claims, overpayments and other scenarios requiring employee repayment.
    • Work with HR to calculate repayment amounts, prepare repayment agreements and coordinate repayment with other accounting departments.
    • Provide updates to management on repayment status.
    • Track and monitor repayments of prior years’ income and prepare and file IRS Forms 941-X as required.
  • Prepare and submit annual payroll reports to DOE.
    • Reports may include total payroll results and analysis of pay components.
    • Analyze requests for possible changes that have occurred in report structure or requirements.
    • Reconcile reporting to general ledger and IRS reporting as required.
  • Perform detailed calculations impacting pay for ETTRA and regular rate of pay.
  • Respond to time-sensitive inquiries and ad hoc reporting requests from leadership.
  • Interface with DOE, Inspector General, and internal and external auditors to support financial statement audits and data requests.
  • Provide backup support for other payroll staff as needed particularly in the payroll tax area.
  • Monitor, reconcile, and manage payroll-related General Ledger accounts.
  • Document and track payroll adjustments that require special handling through to W-2 processing.
  • Maintain current knowledge of payroll laws and regulations, including payroll tax requirements.
  • Assist the Manager of Payroll Services in evaluating, implementing, documenting, and monitoring effective internal controls, procedures, and processes.
  • Perform A-123 testing, documentation, and risk evaluations as required.
  • Review and update lab wide and internal procedures when necessary.
  • Assist with the implementation of new financial systems and payroll-related processes. Work with management, functional analysts, and IT programmers to address system requirements, implement enhancements, and resolve issues. Perform independent testing of SAP payroll support packs as required.
  • Participate in special projects as assigned.
  • Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

  • A BS/BA degree in accounting.
  • A minimum of 5 years of experience in payroll or accounting.
  • Strong knowledge of accounting principles.
  • Excellent attention to detail and well-developed written and oral communication skills.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Self-starter that takes ownership of processes and deliverables.
  • Proficienct in applying accounting principles, policies, and procedures.
  • Possess good human relations skills that promote effective and positive interactions with a diverse group of others, both internal and external to company.
  • Possess the ability to become familiar with the ORNL accounting system and external business applications to proficiently perform responsible tasks.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Knowledge of UT-Battelle and DOE accounting systems, policies, and procedures.
  • Experience supporting or leading payroll operations.
  • Experience with SAP and other payroll or financial systems.
  • APA Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification preferred.

Visa Sponsorship: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements:

  • This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge.
  • For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required.
  • Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.
  • To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

Hybrid Eligibility:

This position is located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and requires onsite presence. We offer a flexible work environment that supports both the organization and the employee. A hybrid/onsite working arrangement may be available with this position, which provides flexibility to work periodically from your home, while reporting onsite to the Oak Ridge, Tennessee location on a weekly and regular basis.

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.