Overview
The Senior Payroll Analyst is responsible for overseeing payroll operations and ensuring the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of payroll for employees across multiple locations and jurisdictions. This role serves as a subject matter expert for payroll policies, tax regulations, system administration, and payroll compliance. The Senior Payroll Analyst partners closely with Human Resources, Finance, Benefits, Tax, and external vendors to resolve complex payroll issues, improve processes, and support organizational initiatives.
This is a remote position that can be performed in either an EST or CST zone.
Salary: $89,444.00 - $106,643.00
This position is eligible for an annual bonus.
Health Benefits: Medical, prescription, dental, vision, flexible spending account (FSA), dependent care flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA)
Retirement/Investing:401K with a 5% match, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
Insurance: Employee Life Insurance, short and long-term disability, critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, spouse/domestic partner/child life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment
Other great benefits: Employee discounts, save on auto, home, and pet insurance, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation and sick time, 9 paid holidays and 3 paid floating holidays, paid leave for when you have a baby, adopt a child, or become a foster parent, legal services, identity theft protection, employee assistance program (EAP), adoption reimbursement benefit, FEDlogic, commuter benefits
Responsibilities
Payroll Operations- Lead the preparation, validation, and processing of payroll for all employees.
- Review payroll calculations, earnings, deductions, taxes, garnishments, and benefit withholdings for accuracy.
- Analyze payroll transactions and resolve complex payroll discrepancies.
- Ensure payrolls are processed in accordance with established deadlines and service level expectations.
- Serve as the escalation point for payroll inquiries and issue resolution.
Compliance and Audits- Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
- Interpret payroll legislation and evaluate impacts to payroll processes and systems.
- Ensure compliance with wage and hour laws, tax regulations, garnishment orders, and leave-related pay requirements.
- Support internal and external audits by providing payroll documentation and explanations.
- Monitor and maintain payroll controls to ensure data integrity and compliance.
Payroll Tax Administration- Review payroll tax calculations, filings, and reconciliations.
- Research and resolve payroll tax issues and notices from regulatory agencies.
- Support year-end activities, including W-2 processing, tax reconciliation, and year-end system updates.
- Partner with tax vendors to ensure timely and accurate tax reporting.
Reporting and Analysis- Prepare and analyze payroll reports, metrics, and reconciliations.
- Reconcile payroll-related general ledger accounts and assist with month-end and year-end close processes.
- Analyze payroll trends and identify opportunities for increased efficiency and accuracy.
- Develop and maintain dashboards and reports to support business decision-making.
Systems and Process Improvement- Support payroll system upgrades, implementations, and enhancements.
- Lead payroll testing activities, including system releases and configuration changes.
- Identify and implement process improvements and automation opportunities.
- Develop and maintain payroll procedures, job aids, and documentation.
- Partner with HRIS and IT teams to support payroll integrations and data integrity.
Leadership and Collaboration- Serve as a payroll subject matter expert for Payroll, HR, Finance, Benefits, and business leaders.
- Mentor and provide technical guidance to Payroll Analysts and Payroll Specialists.
- Assist with training and onboarding of payroll team members.
- Participate in cross-functional projects and strategic initiatives.
Qualifications
Required- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field; or equivalent experience.
- 5+ years of payroll experience with increasing levels of responsibility.
- Experience processing multi-state payroll.
- Strong knowledge of payroll taxes, wage and hour laws, and payroll compliance requirements.
- Experience with payroll systems such as Workday, ADP, UKG, SAP, Oracle, or similar platforms.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookup functions, and data analysis.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication and customer service skills.
Preferred- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification.
- Experience with payroll accounting and general ledger reconciliations.
- Experience supporting SOX controls and audits.
- Experience with system implementations and payroll process improvement initiatives.
- Experience working in a large, complex, multi-entity organization.
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Candidates must possess strong English language skills to effectively communicate with customers and provide exceptional service. Proficiency in English is essential for understanding customer needs, resolving inquiries, and collaborating with team members.
