What You Will Do
The Controller Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) provides trusted financial services that support national security and the Laboratory's mission. We offer efficient, transparent financial solutions across areas such as accounting, compliance, payroll, benefits, institutional tax, retirement, travel, disbursements, financial reporting, corporate accounting, and business systems. Our specialized groups ensure operational excellence and financial accountability. Driven by integrity, innovation, and collaboration, we continuously strive for world-class financial operations that align with LANL's broader goals. Join us in shaping the future of financial management and supporting our scientific and security missions.
The Controller Division is seeking a motivated, detail-oriented, and customer-focused Accountant 1 to join the Payroll, Benefits and Accounting (CNTL-PBA) group, supporting the Craft Payroll Team. The Payroll and Benefits Accounting group ensures accurate, compliant, timely compensation and benefits for LANL's workforce. The group collaborates with HR, Finance, Legal, and IT, unions, and external vendors to deliver labor-related services that support operational continuity, financial accuracy, and regulatory adherence.
The selected candidate will report to the CNTL-PBA Group Leader and support the group's mission by ensuring accurate and timely payroll operations. This position requires reliable attendance, occasional work outside the normal work week, and the ability to resolve payroll and time-reporting issues within enterprise systems. The ideal candidate takes ownership of their work, exercises sound judgment when addressing complex issues, and maintains a high level of accountability, accuracy, and attention to detail in a demanding environment.
Key Responsibilities:
Process and review payroll transactions in accordance with institutional policies, collective bargaining agreements, and regulatory requirements.
Analyze and reconcile payroll and time reporting data to identify discrepancies, determine root causes, and resolve payroll issues.
Monitor payroll and time reporting data across systems to ensure data integrity and accurate payroll processing.
Support employee separations and ensure final pay is processed accurately and timely.
Collaborate with Payroll, HR, Finance, and system administrators to resolve payroll issues and improve payroll processes.
Maintain documentation supporting payroll internal controls, compliance, and audit readiness.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Payroll & Accounting
Demonstrated experience supporting payroll or accounting operations in a medium-to-large, complex organization.
Demonstrated ability to apply accounting principles and payroll practices to ensure accurate processing, reconciliation, and reporting of payroll transactions.
Experience reviewing payroll or time and labor data to ensure accuracy, proper labor charging, and compliance with policies and procedures.
Demonstrated understanding of payroll internal controls and the handling of sensitive information including personally identifiable information (PII).
Problem Solving
Proven ability to research, troubleshoot, and resolve time and effort or payroll-related issues.
Experience gathering and analyzing data and summarizing findings to support resolution.
Demonstrated ability to resolve issues independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
Communication, Teamwork & Organization
Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to explain policies, procedures, and resolutions to, employees, managers, and internal partners in a deadline-driven environment.
Technical Experience
Experience working with enterprise payroll and ERP systems in a complex organizational environment and proficiency with Microsoft Office tools including Excel.
Education/Experience: Position requires a bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a related field combined with 2 years relevant experience; or the equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience directly related to the occupation.
Desired Qualifications:
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation.
Experience supporting Certified Payroll (Davis Bacon and Related Acts) including union, craft, or complex time-reporting environment.
Experience with SAP Payroll or other enterprise payroll systems including automation, and process improvement experience.
Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation):
Work Environment:
Work Location: The work location for this position is telework and is located in Los Alamos. Telework is defined as working from offsite but within 2hours ground commute of this location. Reporting onsite may be periodically necessary. All work locations are at the discretion of management and can change at any time with appropriate notice.
Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.
Note to Applicants:
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
Dental and vision insurance
Free basic life and disability insurance
Paid maternity and parental leave
Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
Flexible schedules and time off (paid sick, vacation, and holidays)
Onsite gyms and wellness programs
Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Additional Details
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.
New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy P701 (https://int.lanl.gov/policy/documents/P701.pdf) for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.
