Job Description
Company Description
Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.
Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.
Job Description
We have an opening for a Payroll/Benefits Accountant 3 to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. You will be responsible for the preparation, analysis, maintenance, reconciliation, and review of complex institutional benefits and payroll accounting reporting information. This position requires a strong foundation in accounting principles along with knowledge of employee benefits and payroll processing. This position is in the Financial Accounting & Treasury Division of the Finance Department within the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO).
This position may offer a hybrid schedule, which includes the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week, after a probationary period. The specifics of the hybrid schedule, including the exact number of days required in the office and virtual work options may vary based on the needs of the team and the organization.
You will
- Assist the Group Leader in oversight and guidance to the Payroll group’s exempt and non-exempt personnel.
- Apply GAAP and institutional accounting policies to independently analyze, reconcile and interpret complex benefits and payroll accounting data, including:
- Reconciliation of balance sheet accounts and bank statements associated with Health and Welfare vendors
- Preparation of complex financial, benefits, and payroll reports for management
- Review and processing of book transfers
- Preparation and review of journal entries for General Ledger (GL) reporting.
- Perform calendar year end activities for self-insured medical and dental plans, including accruals, reserves, and reconciliations.
- Manage accounting activities related to active and inactive employee benefits, including recording receipts from participants
- Ensuring accurate and timely payments to vendors
- Reconciling premium and claim activity to GL and vendor statements.
- Perform tax analysis of tuition payments in collaboration with HR and Payroll.
- Provide benefit cost and payroll impact information to other Laboratory finance and operations units and support budget and forecast activities as needed.
- Foster effective relationships with customers and colleagues, and participate in directorate working groups to represent benefits accounting perspectives.
- Provide advice and support to the exempt and non-exempt pay desks for on-cycle and off-cycle payroll processing; serve as a resource on accounting treatment for complex benefits transactions.
- Provide audit support to complex internal and external audits related to benefits accounting; implement corrective actions related to operational issues and perform self-assessments.
- Lead or significantly contribute to the development, documentation, and implementation of payroll and benefit accounting processes and system enhancements with institutional wide impact.
- Independently analyze and research complex system functionality, testing, reporting and data discrepancies to ensure integrity in financial reporting and compliance with policies.
- Prepare clear, concise financial memos, process documentation, desk procedures, and management presentations related to payroll and benefits accounting.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. Citizenship.
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or equivalent combination of related experience, education, and training in the finance/accounting/tax field.
- Strong understanding of accounting fundamentals and theory, including:
- Debits / credits, accrual accounting, and general ledger structure
- Balance sheet and income statement relationships
- Account reconciliation and variance analysis.
- Demonstrated experience in Benefits accounting (e.g., retirement plans, premiums, claims, reserves, employer / employee cost sharing, vendor reconciliation).
- Understanding of tax impact related to employee benefits (e.g. tuition payments, HSA/FSA, retirement plans).
- Leadership role in a project team or working unit to achieve organizational deliverables and goals, including process improvements or system implementations.
- Advanced experience in developing and maintaining computer-based spreadsheets and report-generation applications (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint), including use of formulas and pivot tables for financial and benefits data.
- Significant experience making effective and timely decisions by applying problem-solving and analytical skills to solve complex issues requiring mature judgment, discretion and tact, and ability to successfully negotiate desirable outcomes.
- Significant experience researching, compiling, and analyzing complex financial, payroll, or benefits data; demonstrated ability to interpret and apply financial policies and procedures.
- Advanced communication both written and verbal, interpersonal skills and organizational skills to work independently and as part of a team to effectively explain, direct, present, advise, negotiation, and influence all levels of management, both internal and external to the Laboratory.
- Advanced organizational, problem solving and decision-making skills necessary to independently interpret policies, advise and recommend actions, implement solutions, and create detailed and readily understood financial memos, briefings, documentation, and reports.
- Demonstrated ability to establish work priorities, execute assignments, meeting time-sensitive deadlines, and work on multiple tasks simultaneously in a high‑volume environment while maintaining accuracy and customer service.
Pay Range
$114,900 - $140,712 Annually
This is the lowest to highest salary range in good faith we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.
Additional Information
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Position Information
This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.
Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?
- Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
- Flexible Benefits Package
- 401(k)
- Relocation Assistance
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
- Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values
Security Clearance
This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance. If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.
Pre-Employment Drug Test
External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.
Wireless and Medical Devices
Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.
If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.
How to identify fake job advertisements
Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.
To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf
Equal Employment Opportunity
We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.
Reasonable Accommodation
Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request.
California Privacy Notice
The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.
