Kate Staton

Experienced Payroll and Accounting Supervisor with 15+ years managing payroll, HR onboarding, benefits administration, AP/AR, bank reconciliations, IT coordination, and team leadership-skilled in process improvement, compliance, and cross-functional operations.

Payroll/Accounting Supervisor at Pella Windows and Doors (2018-03 – Present)

Supervised payroll and accounting operations for a windows and doors manufacturing company.

• Processed bi-weekly payroll for 80+ employees using UKG Platform.
• Collected and processed all new hire documentation (I-9, W-4, direct deposit, multi-state new hire reporting) and configured payroll systems.
• Led full-cycle onboarding for new hires, coordinating drug screenings, DOT physicals, background checks, and motor vehicle records to ensure compliance and timely start dates.
• Secured and organized confidential employee records using UKG/Creative Planning in compliance with HIPAA privacy standards.
• Streamlined employee enrollments in comprehensive benefits packages during annual open enrollment and upon eligibility by transitioning from manual paper processes to an electronic system, improving efficiency and accuracy.
• Built and scaled the accounting function by recruiting, hiring, and training a four-person team, transitioning responsibilities from a single-person operation to a structured department.
• Reconciled monthly bank statements for 6 subsidiary accounts, ensuring accuracy of transactions across multiple financial platforms.
• Completed month-end close by reconciling general ledgers, entering journal entries, and distributing financial reports to management.
• Performed new hire and annual performance evaluations; approved PTO requests and managed staffing schedules to maintain office coverage.
• Served as the primary HR contact, addressed employee performance, benefits inquiries, and workplace conflicts to enhance staff satisfaction, while supporting management with performance reviews, performance improvement plans, and salary adjustments.
• Provided ongoing leadership, training, and mentorship to accounting staff, ensuring adherence to best practices and continuous development.
• Oversaw Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable, partnering with team members to ensure timely vendor payments, accurate customer payment application, and resolution of complex account discrepancies.
• Managed inventory levels and streamlined procurement processes for office supplies, safety equipment, and sales materials, resulting in a 15% reduction in costs.
• Led weekly project review meetings to align team efforts and track progress on deadlines and organizational updates.
• Led cross-departmental initiatives for payroll accuracy and compliance, influencing business decisions that improved operational efficiency across HR, Accounting, IT, Delivery, and Maintenance teams.

Payroll Specialist at Advanced Cabling Systems (2013-02 – 2018-03)

Managed payroll operations and HR functions for a cabling systems company.

• Enter daily timesheets for 170+ employees, reconcile time and upload into payroll system.
• Process weekly payrolls from start to finish, including filing and paying weekly, quarterly, and yearly payroll taxes both federal and multiple states, produce and distribute W-2's and ACA reporting (Forms 1094 and 1095).
• HR responsibilities including establishing new hire procedures and overseeing employee benefit programs.
• Gather all required documentation for new employees including I-9's, W-4's, background and driving record checks and complete setup for payroll processing including direct deposits and new hire reporting for multiple states.
• Price and electronically enroll all eligible employees in a personalized benefit plan for Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, etc.
• Backup other accounting departments as needed, including AP and AR.

Branch Administrator at Konecranes, Inc. (2011-03 – 2012-12)

Managed payroll, accounting, and administrative operations for a branch office.

• Prepare weekly payroll.
• Code and enter accounts payable invoices for payment by home office.
• Generate invoices for accounts receivable.
• Make weekly collection calls on past due accounts and decreased collection time from 85 to 45 days.
• Streamlined day-to-day processes to improve productivity.
• Automated the process of developing audit reporting to shorten time between inspections and getting the information to the customer.

Bookkeeper at Horton & Huffman Drywall (2008-08 – 2011-03)

Handled bookkeeping and administrative tasks for a drywall company.

• Answer Multi-line phone system
• Process weekly payroll
• Entered invoices and process payments for Accounts Payable
• Entered and applied payments for Accounts Receivable
• Handled monthly financial reporting
• Filed quarterly taxes