Manager, Payroll Accounting

Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract.

As a company, we constantly challenge what's possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations.

We are looking for an experienced Corporate Accounting Manager to oversee payroll and benefits accounting across multiple entities and jurisdictions. This critical role ensures accurate and timely accounting of compensation-related expenses, supports external reporting requirements, and leads process improvements in a dynamic and collaborative environment. The ideal candidate will bring deep accounting expertise, leadership skills, and proven experience in complex payroll accounting within a publicly traded company.

Why This Role Matters:

• Own Advanced Compensation Accounting: Manage accounting and reconciliation of payroll, benefits, and related expenses across complex business structures, with a focus on public company reporting requirements.
• Strengthen Financial Accuracy & Compliance: Ensure strict compliance with GAAP, SEC requirements, and SOX controls in all payroll-related accounting activities, including detailed knowledge of ASC 710, ASC 715, and ASC 718.
• Strategic Cross-Functional Partnership: Collaborate with HR, Payroll, Finance, and Tax to enhance reporting accuracy, resolve complex discrepancies, and provide expert guidance on accounting implications.
• Lead & Optimize Complex Processes: Drive automation, implement best practices for public company reporting, and support sophisticated reporting enhancements.
• Develop Subject Matter Expertise & Leadership: Manage and develop team members focused on advanced payroll and benefits accounting, acting as a technical resource.

• Oversee the accounting and reconciliation of payroll, benefits, and compensation-related expenses, with a focus on public company reporting and compliance.
• Ensure strict GAAP and SOX compliance, including SEC reporting requirements for payroll-related disclosures, demonstrating a deep understanding of relevant accounting standards.
• Partner with HR, payroll operations, finance, and tax to improve end-to-end payroll processes, providing expert accounting insights.
• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes related to payroll and benefits, including complex journal entries, accruals, and detailed financial statement disclosures.
• Analyze payroll-related expenses and provide strategic insights to leadership, including variance analysis and forecasting.
• Support external audits and financial reporting activities, demonstrating proficiency in public company audit requirements.
• Lead and implement process improvements and system enhancements, with a focus on scalability and efficiency for a growing public company.
• Maintain strong internal controls and ensure adherence to company policies, with a focus on SOX compliance.
• Supervise and mentor accounting team members supporting payroll and benefits functions, fostering a culture of technical excellence

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Active CPA license or CPP certification.
• Minimum of 5+ years of direct experience in payroll and benefits accounting within a publicly traded company.
• Demonstrated deep expertise in US GAAP (ASC 710, ASC 715, ASC 718), SOX compliance, and SEC reporting requirements related to payroll accounting.
• 2+ years of management or supervisory experience.
• Proficient with ERP systems (SAP preferred) and payroll platforms such as ADP or Workday, with experience in their application to public company reporting.
• High attention to detail and strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret and apply complex accounting standards.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally and present complex information clearly.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-growth public company environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Extensive experience accounting for stock-based compensation (ASC 718), including complex journal entries, expense forecasting, and detailed financial statement disclosures for public company reporting.
• Background in the hyper-growth technology, manufacturing, or automotive industry, with experience navigating the accounting complexities of a rapidly scaling public company.
• Experience with international payroll accounting.

Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Rivian is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.

Rivian may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes ("Candidate Personal Data"). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.

Rivian may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian affiliates; and (iii) Rivian's service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.

Rivian may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.

Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.