Accounting and Payroll Specialist

Title: Internal Operations Specialist

Department: Internal Operations

Reports To: VP, Internal Operations

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

About us:

Advisor Legacy (AL) is a financial consulting firm dedicated to helping financial advisory practices thrive through every stage of their business lifecycle. Our team partners with advisors on coaching, business valuations, practice acquisitions and sales, continuity planning, and succession planning—always with a commitment to delivering a best-in-class experience.

With more than 150 years of combined experience in the financial services industry, our experts understand that an advisory practice is more than a business—it is a legacy built on decades of trusted client relationships. We take a personalized, consultative approach, providing more than reports and numbers. We deliver insight, strategy, and guidance that help advisors make confident, informed decisions as they build and transition their legacy.

We want to build a fun, positive work environment where we take the work seriously but not ourselves.

Our mission is to help Financial Advisory practices to Build, Live, and Leave a Legacy. We are a four-time recipient of the Crain’s “Best Places to Work in Michigan” award and are focused on building and maintaining a vibrant work culture.

Our Values:

• Empower People.
• Listen, Care, Serve.
• Do What You Say You’ll Do.
• Practice Open, Real Communication.
• Check Our Egos at the Door.
• Do the Right Thing.
• Constantly Improve.
• Believe in People and Their Dreams.

Summary of Position: The Internal Operations Specialist supports the organization’s financial and internal operations, including accounting, payroll, HR administration, benefits management, internal engagement, and general business processes. This role ensures accurate bookkeeping, timely payroll/benefits administration, streamlined internal communication, and strong operational support across the enterprise. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, highly organized, and capable of managing both accounting and people-operations tasks in a fast-moving environment.

Essential Job Functions and Key Responsibilities:

Primary Duties

Accounting & Finance Support

• Perform weekly bookkeeping and maintain accurate general ledger activity.
• Complete monthly soft close, including reconciliations and variance review.
• Assist with accounts payable: invoice intake, invoice approval and documentation.
• Prepare and distribute invoices; manage accounts receivable and follow up on outstanding balances.
• Process and track partner referral reporting and independent contractor compensation.

Payroll & Benefits Administration

• Process payroll accurately and on schedule.
• Verify benefits deductions, contributions, PTO balances, and adjustments.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of payroll, employee, and financial data.

HR & Internal Culture Support

• Support full-cycle recruiting, including screening applicants and conducting initial interviews.
• Provide administrative support to HR, ensuring privacy and compliance, without independent authority to hire, discipline, or terminate employees.

Secondary and Occasional Duties

Accounting & Finance Support

• Support tax preparation by collecting, organizing, and preparing necessary documentation.
• Monitor membership payment systems, ensure timely renewals, and resolve failed or declined payments.

Payroll & Benefits Administration

• Download, maintain, and securely archive payroll and payroll tax reports.
• Prepare and distribute required 401(k) notices and disclosures in compliance with regulatory deadlines.

HR & Internal Culture Support

• Support internal employee communications, announcements, and organization-wide updates.
• Manage surveys and assist with the Best Places to Work and Internal Engagement Survey, including migration to Microsoft-based tools.
• Maintain and update organization-wide calendars.
• Assist with logistics for team-building activities, appreciation events, National Days of Service, and other engagement initiatives.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Key Traits and Skills:

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data integrity.
• Exceptional analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Demonstrated commitment to maintaining accurate and thorough documentation.
• High degree of professionalism and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Strong time-management, prioritization, and follow-through capabilities.
• Ability to absorb training quickly and apply it effectively.
• Collaborative mindset and ability to work cross-functionally.

Education/Experience:

• 2-4 years of experience in accounting/bookkeeping and 2-4 years of experience in payroll or HR support, preferably in a multi-functional role.
• Strong understanding of accounting practices, payroll workflows, and benefits administration.
• Experience with major accounting and HRIS tools (Business Central experience a plus).
• Advanced Excel proficiency, including complex formulas, pivot tables, data analysis, and financial modeling.
• Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to manage confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; able to collaborate across departments.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

This job operates in a traditional office environment, routinely using standard office equipment such as a laptop, phone, and headphones. This is largely a sedentary role. The appropriate technology will be provided by Advisor Legacy to do all basic elements of the day-to-day responsibilities.

Position Outline:

Job Type: Part-time, hourly (20-25 hours/week expected)[MH5]

Schedule: Specific hours negotiable within normal hours of operation

Monday through Thursday: 8:00 am-4:30 pm (ET)

Friday: 8:00 am-2:30 pm (ET)

Work Location: Hybrid structure with one or two days in the office, depending on agreed-upon schedule (Troy, MI)

Pay: $25-$33/hour

Benefits:

This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored insurance benefits, including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, or disability insurance. These benefits are reserved for full-time employees.

This position is eligible only for participation in the Company’s 401(k) plan, including both traditional and Roth options, with employer matching in accordance with plan terms.

Additional benefits may include:

• Bonus potential (based on organizational performance)
• Career path development opportunities

Ability to commute/relocate: Troy, MI 48098: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Other:

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Advisor Legacy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic.

At‑Will Employment

Employment at Advisor Legacy is “at‑will,” meaning either the employee or the company may terminate employment at any time, with or without notice or cause.

Pay: $25.00 - $33.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Employee assistance program

Application Question(s):

• Describe advanced Excel functions in which you are proficient.

Experience:

• payroll preparation: 1 year (Required)
• accounts receivable and payable: 1 year (Required)
• accounting: 3 years (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Troy, MI 48098