Upstart

Payroll Specialist

Upstart$70K — $95K *
US-AnywhereRemote in United States
Finance & Insurance
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 3+ years of experience in US domestic payroll processing
  • Strong grasp of payroll operations, reconciliations, and tax implications
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
  • Eagerness to learn and thrive in a fast-paced environment
  • Strong multitasking and time management skills

Responsibilities

  • Process full cycle US domestic payroll biweekly and semi-monthly
  • Monitor and manage time tracking for non-exempt employees
  • Prepare and audit payroll data including new hires and salary changes
  • Assist with payroll compliance including tax withholding and audits
  • Handle equity transactions such as RSU and ESPP
  • Manage payroll inquiries within established service timeframes

Benefits

  • Competitive compensation with bonuses and quarterly equity grants
  • 401(k) with a company match of $2 for every $1 contributed, up to $15,000 annually
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan with discounted stock options
  • Comprehensive health coverage including medical, dental, and vision
  • Health Savings Account contributions
  • Income protection benefits including life insurance and disability coverage
  • Paid time off and supportive parental leave policies
  • Employee Assistance Program for mental health and well-being support
  • Annual wellness and productivity allowances for personal growth tools and resources
  • Engaging team events and connection through employee resource groups
Full Job Description
The Team:

The Payroll Team is responsible for handling all pay related items for our Upstart employees. We are passionate about delivering accurate results on time, everytime! This position requires meticulous attention to detail and a high level of confidentiality.

As the Payroll Specialist at Upstart, You'll be the backbone of our payroll operations, ensuring continuity, accuracy, and employee confidence in every paycheck

How you'll make an impact

Process full cycle US domestic payroll biweekly and semi monthlyMonitor and manage the time tracking system for non-exempt employees, ensuring all timecards are complete and approved ahead of payroll processing.Prepare and audit all payroll data including new hires, salary changes, commissions, benefits and all other payroll related items received from stakeholdersAssist with payroll compliance matters such as multi-state tax withholding, garnishments and annual auditsPrepare and process equity events including RSU, NSO, ISO, and ESPP transactionsManage and respond to payroll inquiries within SLA timeframes

Minimum Qualifications
  • 3+ years of experience with US Domestic payroll processing and timekeeping
  • Solid understanding of payroll operations including reconciliations, SOX controls, wage types and their impact on taxation/W2
  • Self-starter with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision
  • Willingness to learn, perform and succeed in a high-growth environment
  • Ability to multitask, manage time and accept changing priorities


Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with Workday payroll and timekeeping
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Excel/Google Sheets
  • FPC or CPP certified a plus


Position location This role is available in the following locations: Remote

Time zone requirements The team operates on the East - West coast time zones

Travel requirements As a digital first company, the majority of your work can be accomplished remotely. The majority of our employees can live and work anywhere in the U.S but are encouraged to to still spend high quality time in-person collaborating via regular onsites. The in-person sessions' cadence varies depending on the team and role; most teams meet once or twice per quarter for 2-4 consecutive days at a time.

#LI-REMOTE

#LI-Entry

At Upstart, your base pay is one part of your total compensation package. The anticipated base salary for this position is expected to be within the below range. Your actual base pay will depend on your geographic location-with our "digital first" philosophy, Upstart uses compensation regions that vary depending on location. Individual pay is also determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

In addition, Upstart provides employees with target bonuses, equity compensation, and generous benefits packages (including medical, dental, vision, and 401k).

United States | Remote - Anticipated Base Salary Range

$70,000-$95,000 USD

What you'll love

At Upstart, our benefits are designed to support your health, financial well-being, family, and personal growth. Here's what you can expect:
  • Competitive compensation, including base pay, bonus opportunities, and annual equity grants that vest quarterly
  • Retirement benefits to help you plan for the future, including a 401(k) or Group Retirement Savings Plan with a company match of $2 for every $1 contributed, up to $15,000 annually (USD in the US, CAD in Canada)
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with discounted stock purchase options for eligible employees (US only)
  • Comprehensive health coverage designed to support you and your family, including medical, dental, vision, and wellness resources for US and supplemental health coverage for Canada.
  • Health Savings Account contributions from Upstart for eligible plans (US only)
  • Income protection benefits, including life insurance and disability coverage for added financial security
  • Paid time off, sick leave, and company holidays, in line with local requirements
  • Paid family and parental leave to support caregiving and major life moments (duration varies by country)
  • Family-centered benefits to support fertility, parenthood, and caregiving needs
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering mental health support and life-centered resources
  • Financial wellness resources, including access to financial planning tools and a financial concierge service (US Only)
  • Annual wellness allowance to support your physical and emotional well-being and personal development, based on what matters most to you
  • Annual productivity allowance to invest in relevant tools and resources you need to do your best work, no matter where you work from
  • Connection and community through team events, all-company updates, and employee resource groups (ERGs)
  • Onsite perks, including catered lunches and fully stocked micro-kitchens when working from one of our offices in the Bay Area, Austin, Columbus, and New York City (opening Summer 2026!)

For roles based in Canada, please note that we are not currently able to hire in Quebec.

About Upstart

Upstart is a lending platform that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate the borrowing process. The company was founded in 2012 by ex-Googlers and has since originated over $10 billion in loans. Upstart's platform uses non-traditional variables such as education and employment history to determine creditworthiness, which allows for more accurate risk assessment and better loan terms for borrowers. The company went public in December 2020 and is listed on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol UPST.
Learn more about Upstart
Size
100 employees
Market Cap
$1 billion
Industry
Net Income
$11 million
Founded
2012
Revenue
$205.3 million
NASDAQ

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