Job Description: We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Payroll Analyst to join our talented team. The ideal candidate will bring extensive payroll and tax expertise, a keen eye for process improvement and efficiency, and a customer-centric approach to delivering payroll services. The Senior Payroll Analyst will play a pivotal role in ensuring accurate and timely end-to-end payroll processing for 10,000+ employees across 40 states and 6 FEINs, supporting weekly and bi-weekly payroll cycles. The candidate should be enthusiastic about leveraging technology to streamline operations and collaborate seamlessly with cross-functional teams.
This role is remote; however, candidates should be available to work a schedule that closely aligns with eastern time zone hours to ensure effective communication and partnership across the organization.
Responsibilities:- Independently navigate and fully utilize the payroll system (Workday) for research, reporting, analysis, and payroll processing.
- Create, gather, and upload payroll data into HCM (i.e., EIBs into Workday).
- Analyze payroll data to ensure accuracy as part of the validation process of payroll, for hourly and salaried employees.
- Identify, clean, analyze, interpret data, and effectively present to interested parties.
- Prepare settlement and funding documentation.
- Conduct thorough audits to identify and resolve discrepancies promptly.
- Run off-cycle payrolls as needed, including equity related compensation and year-end reporting.
- Perform quarterly and annual tax reconciliation between payroll system and external tax filing cloud instance (ADP Smart Compliance), including W-2 production.
- Understand federal requirements for tax liability analysis and meet semi-weekly depositing deadlines.
- Monitor and update SUI tax rates in payroll system, and external tax filing system; as well as registering with new tax jurisdictions for withholding and reporting.
- Adhere to established SOX controls and provide documentation for internal and external auditors.
- Test software update releases, configuration changes, business processes, and other changes in sandbox environment as needed.
- Prioritize a customer-focused approach to payroll services, ensuring a positive experience for employees.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including HR, Finance, IT, and others, to address payroll-related challenges and initiatives.
- Provide guidance and support to team members and stakeholders regarding payroll matters.
- Identify areas for improvement in payroll processes and systems, and lead initiatives to streamline and automate processes to enhance efficiency.
- Support ad hoc request and special projects as needed.
- Participate in rotating team coverage of centralized payroll inbox and phone line.
Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and payroll experience.
- 5+ years of payroll and payroll tax experience, including multi-jurisdictional payroll processing (Mexico and Canada experience is a plus).
- Strong understanding of payroll regulations, compliance, and tax laws.
- Skilled in navigating ADP Tax Services and SmartCompliance Ecosystems
- Proven experience in process improvement and automation initiatives.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in Excel, including Lookups and Pivot Tables.
- Ability to perform duties with timely and accurate delivery under rigid weekly deadlines.
- Exceptional acumen with payroll technology and business systems, Workday experience required.
- Occasional travel, and ability to work late on Mondays and Tuesdays as needed.
Behavioral Characteristics:- Inspire Change: Ability to challenge status quo with laser focus on continuous improvement related to efficiency, waste reduction, frictionless processes, and customer experience.
- Vigilant and Discrete: Ability and commitment to keep confidential information and systems secure.
- Detail-Oriented: Meticulous attention to detail to ensure accuracy.
- Analytical Thinker: Ability to analyze complex data and make informed decisions.
- Proactive and Self-Motivated: Takes initiative to identify and address potential issues before they arise.
- Adaptable: Comfortable in a dynamic environment, agile, and open to change.
- Collaborative: Works well in a team, values diverse perspectives, and promotes a positive team culture. Ability to professionally communicate with stakeholders at every level across the organization.
- Customer-Focused: Prioritizes the needs of internal and external customers, striving to enhance their experience.
