Compensation Accounting Manager

About Keystone Keystone is an innovative strategy, economics, and technology consulting firm delivering transformative ideas and novel solutions to global brands and law firms on leading-edge challenges in technology, business, consumer goods, and science. The firm’s expertise in strategy, economics, data analysis, product development, intellectual property, and antitrust is ideally suited to develop bold strategies that have a far-reaching impact on business, consumers, and public policy. Keystone combines the strategic insights of leading academic experts from Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Wharton, and other top universities with the practical industry expertise of its accomplished network of professionals to deliver extraordinary impact. We work with an array of Fortune 50 technology companies as well as global consumer brands, including Amazon, Facebook, GE, Intel, Roche, Microsoft, Oracle, Yeti, and others. Keystone applies the most advanced strategy, analytical and business management services while also using our entrepreneurial skills to drive innovation, business growth, and digital transformation. We are actively hiring for our Boston, NYC, Seattle, San Francisco, Washington DC, and London offices. Learn more about Keystone at www.keystone.com

Keystone

Business EcosystemsInnovationR&D innovation processInternet SearchAntitrustIntellectual PropertyService ExcellenceMarketing StrategyGrowth StrategyPerformance Management

K

keystone.com

201-500 employees

Business Consulting and Services

New York, NY

2003

Privately Held

33k LinkedIn followers

Raised $100M

• Active CPA license.
• Approximately 5 years of progressive accounting experience, including public
• accounting experience at a Big 4 firm and substantive private company
• experience in compensation accounting, technical accounting, or a closely
• related area.
• Hands-on experience accounting for payroll entries, corporate bonuses,
• sign-on bonuses, retention bonuses, equity-based compensation, 401(k), profit
• sharing, and other employee benefits.
• Experience owning compensation-related account reconciliations across
• multiple accounts, entities, and countries.
• Understanding of multi-jurisdiction payroll complexity, statutory
• requirements, local employer contributions, and related compensation
• accounting considerations.
• Strong close discipline, with a track record of meeting deadlines in a
• high-volume, multi-entity environment without sacrificing accuracy or
• completeness.
• High proficiency with ERP systems and intermediate-to-advanced Excel skills,
• including comfort working with large and complex data sets.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to partner
• effectively with HR, Recruiting, FP&A, Payroll, and other non-accounting
• stakeholders.
• Exceptional organization, attention to detail, and professionalism in
• preparing workpapers, reconciliations, and communications.
• Maturity and discretion in handling highly confidential compensation data
• across all levels of the organization.
• Familiarity with equity plan accounting, multi-currency consolidation, HRIS
• platforms such as Workday or ADP, payroll-to-GL integrations, process
• automation, or accounting technology initiatives is a plus.
• The salary range below represents total annual compensation across all U.S.
• locations. Actual compensation will depend upon the level the individual is
• hired into based on their experience, knowledge, skills and qualifications. In
• addition to annual salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, 401k
• contribution, and a culture grounded in integrity, curiosity, and teamwork.
• Annual Salary Range
• $110,000—$140,000 USD
• At Keystone, we value the varied backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives our
• colleagues bring to our firm. We are committed to building an inclusive culture
• where everyone feels respected, has a sense of belonging, and has opportunities
• to grow.
• This commitment extends to how we hire. Keystone is an equal opportunity
• employer committed to fair and inclusive hiring practices. All qualified

• The Compensation Accounting Manager will report to the Assistant Controller and
• serve as a key member of the accounting close process. This individual will
• partner closely with Compensation, Recruiting, FP&A, and Payroll to ensure
• compensation activity is recorded accurately, reconciled thoroughly, and
• supported by clear documentation.
• This role is well suited to a CPA with public accounting training and private
• company experience who brings strong technical judgment, discretion with
• sensitive compensation data, and a continuous improvement mindset.
• The role is based in Boston, MA on a hybrid schedule with three days per week in
• the office. We are not able to provide relocation support for this position. We
• value talent from all backgrounds; however, for this position, we are unable to
• sponsor employment visas. We welcome applications from individuals who are
• already authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• Prepare, review, and post compensation-related journal entries in accordance
• with monthly, quarterly, and annual close timelines, including payroll,
• accrued bonuses, sign-on bonuses, retention bonuses, and other variable
• compensation.
• Own the accurate and timely recording of equity compensation expense,
• including stock options, RSUs, and other equity instruments, in accordance
• with ASC 718 or applicable standards.
• Record and reconcile benefits-related accounting entries, including 401(k)
• employer contributions, profit sharing, and other employee benefit programs.
• Maintain detailed close checklists and supporting documentation for
• compensation accounts to ensure consistency, auditability, and timely close
• execution.
• Own reconciliations for compensation-related balance sheet accounts,
• including accrued compensation, accrued bonuses, equity award liabilities,
• deferred compensation, and benefits payables.
• Investigate and resolve reconciling items on a timely basis, escalating aged
• or material items with clear explanations and proposed resolutions.
• Coordinate with Payroll to reconcile payroll register data to the general
• ledger and resolve discrepancies.
• Manage compensation accounting entries across multiple international
• jurisdictions, accounting for local statutory requirements, currency
• considerations, social charges, employer contributions, and entity-level
• reporting needs.
• Serve as the primary accounting liaison to Compensation, Recruiting, FP&A,
• and Payroll, providing timely and accurate data for headcount reporting,
• budget-to-actual analysis, and compensation planning.
• Partner with Recruiting on the accounting treatment of sign-on bonuses and
• retention awards, including appropriate amortization schedules.
• Support FP&A with compensation variance analysis and explanations for
• period-over-period movements in compensation expense.
• Prepare compensation-related audit schedules and supporting documentation,
• and respond to auditor requests in a timely and complete manner.
• Ensure compensation accounting policies and procedures are documented and
• consistently applied across entities and jurisdictions.
• Evaluate compensation accounting processes and identify opportunities to
• automate, streamline, and improve the quality and speed of delivery.
• Contribute to ERP enhancements, payroll system integrations, and related tool
• implementations that affect compensation accounting workflows.
• Develop scalable templates, workpapers, and documentation that support
• consistency as Keystone grows in headcount and geographic scope.