Compensation Accountant

Since 1965, Stoneridge has designed and manufactured advanced, award-winning technologies including driveline and transmission actuation systems, vision systems, emissions control systems, safety systems, and security and monitoring systems for vehicle OEMs in the commercial vehicle, automotive, off-highway and agricultural vehicle markets. We're focused on the areas of greatest market need - both today and tomorrow. Our core products and technologies are aligned with industry megatrends including safety and security, vehicle intelligence, fuel efficiency and emissions. Join the Stoneridge Team as we continue to build upon our strong history and reputation for quality products to deliver innovative products and systems that address a need, exceed our customers' expectations, and motivate our team.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Compensation Accountant is responsible for payroll processing, equity compensation accounting, general ledger activity, budgeting and forecasting support, and audit coordination for corporate compensation and benefit-related programs. This role partners closely with Human Resources, Tax, Treasury, External Reporting, and internal and external auditors to ensure accurate payroll processing, timely accounting close activities, compliance with applicable requirements, and reliable financial reporting.

Key Responsibilities:

• Payroll Processing and Administration: Prepare, process, and manage monthly corporate payroll in partnership with HR, including employee changes, special payments, stock compensation activity, deferred compensation entries, payroll previews, post-payroll reporting, 401(k) funding support, year-end W-2 activities, payroll tax inquiries, and coordination of payroll-related projects with ADP and HR.
• Equity Compensation Accounting: Maintain and review equity compensation activity in Certent, including grant updates, vesting and termination activity, forfeiture rate calculations, fair value uploads, performance factor updates, share-based compensation reporting, quarterly reconciliations, and support for Tax and External Reporting requirements.
• General Ledger Accounting and Close: Prepare journal entries and reconciliations for payroll, benefits, intercompany activity, annual incentive plans, deferred compensation, stock-based compensation, and related accruals. Utilize payroll automation tools, resolve balancing issues, and prepare reclassification or adjustment entries as needed.
• Budgeting, Forecasting, and Financial Analysis: Prepare annual budget and quarterly forecast files for corporate salary, payroll tax, welfare, retirement, incentive, and long-term incentive plan accounts. Partner with HR and department leaders to maintain accurate headcount and compensation assumptions and communicate material variances through forecast and flash reporting.
• Audit and Compliance Support: Support annual retirement plan audits, Form 5500 filing activities, quarterly and annual external audit requests, internal audit walkthroughs, payroll testing, worker compensation audits, and required accounting workpapers and reconciliations.
• Other Compensation and Benefit Support: Maintain corporate headcount reporting, coordinate Board of Director fee payments and related tax reporting support, assist with workers' compensation analysis and renewals, respond to payroll and compensation-related inquiries, and provide monthly metrics related to payroll and share-based compensation activity.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business or accounting required.
• Minimum of 4 years of related accounting experience.
• Experience processing or managing payroll required.
• Experience with incentive compensation, share-based compensation, 401(k) administration, actuarial valuations, and fair value calculations preferred.
• Experience with ADP, Microsoft Office suite, equity management software, and general ledger software required.
• Experience with OneStream, Certent, and JD Edwards preferred.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical ability, organizational skills, and ability to meet recurring deadlines in a monthly close environment.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across HR, Tax, Treasury, Accounting, External Reporting, auditors, and all levels of the organization.

Core Competencies:

• Payroll and compensation accounting knowledge
• General ledger accounting and reconciliation expertise
• Equity compensation and benefit plan accounting support
• Financial analysis, budgeting, and forecasting capability
• Audit readiness and compliance orientation
• Cross-functional collaboration and customer-service mindset
• Process improvement and problem-solving skills

Stoneridge is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by the applicable laws in the countries we operate. Stoneridge also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories.