Firm Operations, Payroll & Bookkeeping Associate

Job Title: Firm Operations, Payroll & Bookkeeping Associate Location: Remote (U.S. based only, preferably Colorado) Employment Type: Part-Time, Temp-to-Hire, with the opportunity to transition to Full-Time as responsibilities expand and the right fit is established. This is a growth-oriented role designed to evolve with both the candidate and the firm. Pay: $21-$26/hour, depending on experience. Opportunities for performance-based raises and career advancement. About Us: Cornerstone Accounting Solutions is a boutique bookkeeping firm offering expert financial support to small businesses, primarily in Colorado. We work with a variety of industries, including real estate, construction, and professional services. Our values of Honesty, Expertise, Commitment, and Value guide our approach to providing tailored bookkeeping, payroll, and advisory services, with strategic financial insights woven into everything we do. As a small, growing firm, everyone at Cornerstone Accounting Solutions wears multiple hats. This role reflects that approach, combining firm operations, payroll, and bookkeeping responsibilities to support both our clients and the firm’s internal needs. Our team is nimble, collaborative, and committed to delivering excellent client service, which requires adaptability and a hands-on approach to various tasks. While this job description might seem long, it reflects the real scope of what we do — and the opportunity it represents. We keep our clients’ books clean, their payroll running on time, and their financial picture clear so they can focus on growing their businesses. We’re looking for someone who wants to be genuinely involved in that work, not siloed into one narrow function. The role will evolve over time as the firm is growing quickly, with opportunities to expand your responsibilities and skillset. We are looking for someone who is excited by the prospect of growth and is adaptable as we continue to develop as a company. Why Join Us? Work-Life Balance & Flexibility: • Flexible remote work with no commute, allowing for better work-life balance. • Autonomy to manage your workload with minimal micromanagement while receiving the tools and support needed to succeed. Career Growth & Development: • Build and apply your bookkeeping and payroll expertise across a diverse client base, with real hands-on experience and a clear path for career advancement. • Work closely with the firm owner and seasoned professionals who value your success and professional growth. • Gain rare cross-functional experience spanning payroll compliance, bookkeeping, firm operations, and community engagement — a skill set that deepens your expertise and keeps the work engaging every single day. Challenging & Rewarding Work: • Engage in diverse tasks with various clients and industries, helping businesses thrive with expert support. • Contribute to meaningful work with a positive impact on small businesses. Company Culture & Values: • Collaborative, supportive team focused on delivering great work and supporting each other. • No corporate red tape — you’ll work directly with the firm owner, your voice carries real weight, and decisions get made fast. • Compensation that grows with your responsibilities — when bookkeeping is added to your scope, your pay reflects it. • A front-row seat to how a successful small business operates — from client relationships and payroll compliance to firm systems and marketing outreach. Position Summary: This role begins as Part-Time, Temp-to-Hire (15–20 hours per week), with the opportunity to transition to Full-Time as responsibilities expand and the right fit is established. From day one, the candidate will take on the full scope of the role — including firm operations, payroll processing, and social media & community engagement support — with the exception of client-facing bookkeeping, which will be introduced once the candidate has demonstrated mastery of the initial responsibilities. During the onboarding period, the primary focus will be on supporting the firm owner, learning the firm’s systems and processes, getting to know the team, and hitting the ground running on payroll and operational priorities. While the candidate must have bookkeeping skills from day one, client-facing bookkeeping tasks will be introduced in a structured way once the foundation is solid. The firm is committed to providing the tools, training, and support needed to succeed in all areas of the role. This approach ensures a strong long-term fit before the full scope is in play. What It Takes to Succeed in This Role: Firm Operations, Office Management & Client Relations Success: Success in this portion of the role requires exceptional organizational skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to independently manage a wide variety of administrative and relationship-driven tasks. The ideal candidate will efficiently support the firm owner, handle communications proactively, and anticipate needs with minimal supervision. They will also bring warmth and professionalism to client-facing touchpoints — from birthday emails and Google review requests to onboarding communications and new inquiry follow-up. Comfort engaging in online communities and social media platforms on behalf of the firm, with an eye toward relationship-building and lead generation, is equally important. A self-motivated, proactive approach and the ability to work without micromanagement are essential. Payroll & Compliance Success: Success in payroll requires accuracy, consistency, and a deadline-driven mindset. The candidate must be comfortable processing multi-client payroll across varying frequencies, managing compliance tasks, and maintaining the payroll notice log with minimal oversight. They should be proactive about flagging issues, communicating with clients and the firm owner when action is needed, and staying on top of recurring payroll deadlines without being reminded. Attention to detail and a strong sense of ownership over this function are non-negotiable. Bookkeeping Success: Success in the bookkeeping portion requires a solid understanding of bookkeeping principles, strong attention to detail, and the ability to independently manage financial tasks. The candidate must efficiently handle account reconciliations, transaction management, and financial reporting, maintaining accuracy and meeting deadlines. Strong problem-solving skills, a proactive approach, and the ability to manage multiple priorities are essential. A results-driven mindset and commitment to continuous improvement will ensure success in this role. Key Responsibilities · Operations & Firm Owner Support • Organize and track receipts, sort and categorize mileage logs (via MileIQ), and maintain tax-support documentation for accurate reporting. • Provide HR support, including managing onboarding and offboarding of contractors and employees, setting up new state payroll tax registrations, and de-registering when applicable. • Collaborate with team members to enhance workflows and standardize procedures. • Maintain and manage the firm's internal file storage and document organization (Egnyte, etc.), ensuring firm & private files are current, consistently structured, and easily accessible. • Administer the firm's software platforms (LastPass, Slack, QBO, Double (formerly known as Keeperapp), Gusto, Anchor, Egnyte, etc.), including creating channels, managing user access, assigning roles, keeping platform settings up to date, and maintaining firm templates and client file integrity across systems. • Research and troubleshoot system / technical issues for the team using available online resources and community boards to resolve problems quickly. • Occasionally prepare reports, presentations, agendas, and documents for meetings, including gathering relevant data. • Manage the firm owner's email inbox: flag priorities, categorize and file emails, and respond or delegate as appropriate once fully onboarded. • Occasionally coordinate the firm owner’s calendar, appointments, and scheduling, ensuring time management and prioritization of key tasks. • Oversee and track Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours for the firm owner. • Services Provided to Clients: • Engage directly with clients, providing high-quality customer service and maintaining clear communication. • Identify and recommend opportunities for streamlining and improving bookkeeping processes. • Process multi-client payroll across various pay frequencies using Gusto, including entering payroll, sending client pay verification communications, obtaining manager approval, saving payroll reports, and ensuring accurate syncing to QBO. • Maintain payroll compliance tasks including SUI rate updates, annual W-2 adjustments, S-corp benefit reconciliations, and year-end payroll processing. • Monitor and maintain the payroll notice log; conduct weekly Gusto reviews and proactively resolve past-due items in coordination with the firm owner. • Provide bookkeeping support for assigned clients, ensuring accurate and timely financial records. • Prepare and post journal entries with appropriate supporting documentation. • Maintain accurate records in Egnyte, QBO, and Double (formerly known as Keeperapp), including routine platform maintenance and quality control tasks. • Analyze and review financial statements, perform bank and credit card reconciliations, and complete asset/liability account reconciliations. • Manage Accounts Payable (AP) and Accounts Receivable (AR), including vendor invoices, client invoicing, collections, and revenue tracking. • Assist with administrative tasks as needed. · Office Management & Client Relations: • Send client birthday messages through client portal, design annual holiday cards, and other relationship-building communications on behalf of the Cornerstone team. • Proactively request Google reviews from clients at appropriate touchpoints, following the firm’s review request process. • Handle other recurring administrative upkeep tasks. • Support new client inquiry follow-up and onboarding communications as directed. · Social Media & Community Engagement Support: • Repurpose and cross-post content from the firm’s Google Business Profile and other sources to social media and community platforms to maintain a consistent online presence. • Engage in online community groups, professional networking platforms, and relationship-building outreach to support lead generation, brand visibility, and referral development on behalf of the firm. • Monitor platforms for referral and lead opportunities; flag, follow up, and track outreach as directed by the firm owner. Qualifications: • High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate’s degree, Certified Bookkeeper, or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) designation preferred. • Experience working in a bookkeeping, accounting, or professional services firm preferred. • 1–2+ years of multi-client payroll processing experience using Gusto or similar platform, with working knowledge of payroll compliance tasks (SUI updates, W-2 adjustments, S-corp benefit reconciliations); familiarity with payroll notice tracking preferred. • 1–2+ years of QBO experience including proficiency in core bookkeeping functions (reconciliations, journal entries, financial reporting). • Understanding of bookkeeping principles for tax/cash-basis accounting. • 1–2+ years of bookkeeping or accounting experience; full-charge bookkeeping experience a plus. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel. • Familiarity with practice management and billing platforms such as Double (formerly Keeperapp) and Anchor a plus. • Proficiency with password management tools such as LastPass, including the ability to set up, organize, audit, and maintain shared credentials in a secure and structured way. • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks/clients simultaneously and meet deadlines without being reminded. • Excellent attention to detail, strong time management skills, and proactive problem-solving. • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, client-focused approach. • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a small team environment; comfortable taking direction while also owning tasks autonomously. • Comfort with social media and online community platforms, including Google Business Profile; ability to repurpose content, engage in groups, and support lead generation efforts with minimal direction. • Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills; experience with client communications, follow-up outreach, and office management tasks in a professional services environment. • Comfortable in a fast-paced, evolving small business environment where priorities can shift and adaptability is essential. If you are a highly motivated professional with a passion for helping small businesses succeed and who values teamwork, we would love to hear from you! Apply today to become part of our team. Attention to detail matters in this role. If you’ve read this far, please include the phrase “I live for #REF errors” somewhere in your response to the screening questions. Job Type: Full-time Pay: $21.00 - $26.00 per hour Benefits: • Flexible schedule Application Question(s): • Are you located in the United States? • Please tell us a little about yourself, why you're interested in this role, and what makes you a strong fit. • This role begins part-time (15–20 hours/week) with a clear path to full-time. Does this work for you? • Do you have experience with any practice management, billing, or password management platforms such as Double, Anchor, or LastPass? Please list which accounting/payroll/operations platforms you have experience with. • Describe your experience with social media and online community platforms in a professional context. • The job description contained a brief instruction regarding attention to detail. Please elaborate. Experience: • multi-client payroll processing: 1 year (Required) • QBO and bookkeeping/accounting: 1 year (Preferred) Shift availability: • Day Shift (Required) Work Location: Remote Apply tot his job Apply To this Job