Payroll & Accounting Assistant | Growth to Business Manager

Payroll & Accounting Assistant | $45K–$55K | Growth to Business Manager

Harrisburg, PA | Full-Time | Onsite | Monday–Friday

Payroll and Accounting Experience? Ready for the Next Step?

Abel Personnel is seeking an experienced Payroll & Accounting Assistant to join our internal team in Harrisburg, PA.

This is not simply a payroll processing or data-entry position. We are looking for someone with hands-on ADP payroll experience and strong accounting fundamentals who can understand the numbers, identify discrepancies, research issues, and follow them through resolution.

Just as importantly, we're hiring with the future in mind.

This position is part of Abel Personnel's long-term succession planning and offers the opportunity to learn broader financial and business operations, take on increasing responsibility, and potentially develop toward a future Business Manager role.

Position Highlights

• $45,000–$55,000 annually, based on experience
• Full-time, Monday–Friday
• Onsite in Harrisburg, PA
• In-house biweekly payroll for approximately 300 employees
• Hands-on use of ADP
• Payroll information managed between our ATS/timekeeping system and ADP
• Broad bookkeeping and accounting responsibilities
• Direct exposure to our Business Manager and business operations
• Potential career path to Business Manager

What Makes This Role Different?

Abel Personnel operates in a fast-paced staffing environment. Our payroll includes approximately 300 employees working across multiple client accounts and assignments, each potentially involving different pay rates, schedules, timekeeping requirements, and client-specific processes.

Payroll information originates within our Applicant Tracking System (ATS)/timekeeping platform and is processed through ADP.

Accuracy requires someone who can work comfortably between systems and understand the complete payroll process—not simply enter information and rely on the software to determine whether it's correct.

We're looking for someone who can ask:

Why doesn't this match? Where did the discrepancy originate? What needs to be corrected?

If that's how you approach payroll and accounting, you may be exactly who we're looking for.

What You'll Do

Payroll

• Support in-house biweekly payroll processing for approximately 300 employees
• Process payroll using ADP
• Review payroll information originating from our ATS/timekeeping system
• Verify hours, pay rates, deductions, adjustments, and other payroll activity
• Compare and reconcile information across payroll and timekeeping systems
• Identify and research discrepancies before payroll is finalized
• Process or coordinate payroll corrections and adjustments
• Assist with payroll taxes, reporting, and compliance requirements
• Maintain accurate payroll records and supporting documentation
• Meet firm payroll deadlines while managing exceptions and changing information

Accounting & Bookkeeping

• Perform day-to-day bookkeeping
• Maintain financial information in QuickBooks
• Perform bank, account, and general ledger reconciliations
• Research accounting discrepancies and determine appropriate corrections
• Support accounts payable and accounts receivable
• Process and track vendor payments
• Maintain accurate general ledger and supporting financial records
• Assist with journal entries
• Support monthly financial statements and management reporting
• Assist with financial research, reporting, and special projects

What We're Looking For

Required

• 3+ years of hands-on bookkeeping or accounting experience
• Hands-on ADP payroll processing experience
• Experience processing or significantly supporting in-house payroll
• Experience working with payroll information across multiple systems
• Experience with an ATS, timekeeping system, HRIS, or comparable employee-data platform
• Proficiency with QuickBooks
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel
• Understanding of debits, credits, reconciliations, and general ledger accounting
• Experience with bank and account reconciliations
• Working knowledge of payroll taxes, deductions, adjustments, and payroll reporting
• Ability to independently investigate and resolve payroll and accounting discrepancies
• Strong numerical accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and firm deadlines
• Professional discretion when handling confidential employee and financial information

Preferred

• Experience processing payroll for 250+ employees
• Staffing-industry payroll or accounting experience
• Experience in payroll services, professional services, or another fast-paced, multi-account environment
• Experience supporting employees across multiple clients, assignments, departments, locations, or cost centers
• AP/AR experience
• Journal entry and month-end close experience
• Financial reporting experience
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field

Relevant hands-on accounting and payroll experience may be considered in place of a degree.

You're More Than a Payroll Processor

The person we're looking for doesn't simply accept what the system produces.

You notice when something doesn't look right.

You know how to trace information back to the source, compare records, verify calculations, investigate discrepancies, and determine what needs to happen next.

You're comfortable working in an environment where different clients and employee assignments have different requirements and exceptions. You can keep those details organized while maintaining accuracy and meeting deadlines.

And you're interested in learning more than the responsibilities immediately in front of you.

Career Growth & Succession Planning

This position has been designed with long-term growth in mind.

The successful candidate will work closely with Abel Personnel's Business Manager and gain increasing exposure to the company's payroll, accounting, financial, administrative, and business operations.

As your knowledge and capabilities develop, there will be opportunities to assume greater responsibility.

For the right person, this position offers a potential career path toward the Business Manager role as part of our long-term succession planning.

We're looking for someone who wants to:

• Expand beyond transactional payroll and bookkeeping
• Understand how payroll, accounting, clients, and business operations connect
• Develop broader financial and operational knowledge
• Take increasing ownership and responsibility
• Become a trusted resource to leadership
• Build a long-term career with Abel Personnel

Advancement will be based on demonstrated performance, development, business needs, and readiness for increased responsibility.

Why Abel Personnel?

For more than 55 years, Abel Personnel has provided staffing and workforce solutions throughout Central Pennsylvania and beyond.

This is an opportunity to join an established organization while taking on a position that offers variety, responsibility, and meaningful professional growth.

If you have hands-on ADP payroll experience, strong accounting skills, and the desire to grow into broader business responsibilities, we'd like to hear from you.

Apply Today

Submit your resume highlighting your experience with ADP payroll processing, bookkeeping, QuickBooks, account reconciliations, general ledger accounting, and Excel.

Abel Personnel is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

A trusted family-owned company since 1969, we are one of Central Pennsylvania's oldest and most respected recruitment firms. Based in Harrisburg, we offer flexible staffing, placement, and recruitment services across diverse industries. Our personalized approach ensures the best match for both clients and candidates.

Working with our staffing firm means you’ll enjoy several benefits: our services are completely free for candidates, and you gain access to exclusive opportunities that may not be publicly advertised. Our experienced recruiters work directly with hiring managers, ensuring your qualifications are seen by decision-makers. We also provide personalized resume recommendations, helping you stand out and showcase your skills effectively. From interview preparation to offer negotiations, we guide you through every step of the hiring process, saving you time and effort.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing fair and inclusive employment opportunities for all. This policy covers every aspect of employment, from recruitment and hiring to training and advancement, ensuring a workplace that values diversity and equity. Let us help you find your next great opportunity—start your journey with us today!