Payroll Analyst I

The Payroll Analyst I is a key member of the Payroll Census and Proposal Team responsible for reviewing, validating, and preparing payroll census information used in the client proposal process. This role serves as an initial quality-control point for payroll and census data, helping ensure information is complete, accurate, and ready for proposal development. The Payroll Analyst I reviews payroll registers and related reports, identifies missing or inconsistent information, determines when additional documentation is needed, and organizes payroll data for downstream analysis. The ideal candidate has a solid working knowledge of payroll and is comfortable reviewing payroll information from different systems and providers. This individual should be able to independently interpret routine payroll reports, identify common discrepancies, and recognize when more complex issues should be escalated to the Payroll Census Manager. Training will be provided on EHP-specific processes, census requirements, calculator tools, and more complex payroll scenarios.

• Review payroll registers, payroll summaries, deduction reports, tax reports, and related payroll documentation.
• Prepare and validate employee census data used in the client proposal process.
• Confirm payroll and census information is complete, accurate, and consistent before advancing files for proposal development.
• Identify missing, conflicting, incomplete, or potentially inaccurate payroll information.
• Determine when additional payroll reports or supporting documentation are required.
• Reconcile information across multiple payroll reports when necessary.
• Review payroll information across weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, and monthly payroll frequencies.
• Identify employee earnings, hours, pay frequencies, payroll taxes, deductions, and other relevant payroll information.

Payroll Analysis Review payroll registers, payroll summaries, deduction reports, tax reports, and related payroll documentation. Prepare and validate employee census data used in the client proposal process. Confirm payroll and census information is complete, accurate, and consistent before advancing files for proposal development. Identify missing, conflicting, incomplete, or potentially inaccurate payroll information. Determine when additional payroll reports or supporting documentation are required. Reconcile information across multiple payroll reports when necessary. Review payroll information across weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, and monthly payroll frequencies. Identify employee earnings, hours, pay frequencies, payroll taxes, deductions, and other relevant payroll information. Payroll Analysis Interpret routine payroll registers and payroll reports from a variety of payroll systems and providers. Apply working knowledge of payroll taxes, including FICA, Social Security, and Medicare. Distinguish between pre‑tax and post‑tax deductions and understand their impact on taxable wages. Review benefits‑related deductions, including Section 125 benefits, HSA, FSA, dependent care, retirement contributions, and other common payroll deductions. Recognize common payroll inconsistencies and determine whether additional information or review is needed. Escalate unusual, complex, or higher‑risk payroll issues to the Payroll Census Manager. Data Preparation and Quality Assurance Organize, standardize, and manipulate payroll data to create proposal‑ready census files. Perform manual data preparation when payroll reports cannot be directly converted into the required census format. Compare and reconcile information across multiple payroll reports. Run completed census files through designated calculator or analytical tools. Review calculator results for potential discrepancies, unusual results, or information requiring additional investigation. Maintain accurate documentation and file organization to support quality control and auditability. Excel and Data Management Use Microsoft Excel to review and manage payroll census information. Sort and filter large payroll datasets. Use formulas to validate, compare, and reconcile payroll information. Utilize VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP and related functions to match information across reports. Create and use PivotTables when appropriate. Consolidate employee information from multiple reports or data sources. Client and Internal Team Support Assist clients and internal stakeholders in identifying the payroll reports required to complete an accurate census. Help determine where required payroll information can be found within common payroll systems. Communicate professionally when requesting missing information, clarification, or supporting documentation. Provide payroll‑related support to the Discovery and Proposal Teams. Translate payroll terminology and reporting information into clear, actionable guidance for internal stakeholders. Partner with the Payroll Census Manager on more complex payroll questions or reporting situations. Minimum Qualifications High school diploma or equivalent required. 2–4 years of payroll administration, payroll operations, payroll reporting, or closely related experience required. Demonstrated experience reviewing and interpreting payroll registers and detailed payroll reports. Working knowledge of payroll taxes, including FICA, Social Security, and Medicare. Understanding of pre‑tax and post‑tax deductions and their impact on taxable wages. Experience working with different payroll frequencies, including weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, and monthly payrolls. Experience working within a payroll, HRIS, finance, accounting, or employee data environment. Intermediate Microsoft Excel proficiency, including sorting, filtering, formulas, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, PivotTables, and matching information between multiple reports. Preferred Qualifications 3–5 years of payroll administration, payroll operations, payroll reporting, or related experience preferred. Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Human Resources, or a related field preferred. Experience independently reviewing payroll registers and identifying payroll‑data discrepancies. Experience preparing, reviewing, or validating employee census files. Experience determining which payroll reports are needed to answer specific payroll or census questions. Experience with benefits‑related payroll deductions, including Section 125 plans, HSA, FSA, dependent care, and retirement deductions. Payroll tax reconciliation experience. Multi‑state payroll experience. Experience supporting clients or internal stakeholders with payroll reporting questions. Experience working with large employee populations. Experience consolidating payroll information from multiple reports or systems. Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) preferred but not required. Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) is beneficial but not required. Systems Experience Experience with multiple payroll systems is beneficial, but expertise in any single platform is not required. Familiarity with ADP, Paychex, Paylocity, Paycom, UKG, Workday, QuickBooks Payroll, isolved, Dayforce, or similar payroll or HRIS platforms is helpful. The most important systems‑related capability is the ability to review an unfamiliar payroll report, understand what information is being presented, determine whether required information is present, and identify what additional report or documentation may be needed. Core Competencies Payroll Knowledge. Demonstrates a strong working understanding of payroll fundamentals, including earnings, hours, taxes, deductions, taxable wages, and payroll reporting. Analytical Thinking. Reviews information from multiple sources, recognizes inconsistencies, and determines appropriate next steps. Attention to Detail. Maintains a high degree of accuracy when reviewing and preparing payroll and census data. Problem Solving. Identifies missing or inconsistent information and works through routine payroll questions independently. Judgment and Escalation. Handles standard payroll and census scenarios independently while recognizing when an issue requires additional review or escalation. Client and Stakeholder Communication. Communicates clearly and professionally with clients and internal partners regarding payroll reporting and census requirements. Organization. Manages multiple census files, deadlines, and follow‑up activities while maintaining quality and accuracy. Confidentiality. Protects sensitive payroll, compensation, employee, and client information at all times. Success Profile What information is included in the report. Whether the information appears complete and accurate. Which payroll data is relevant to the census process. Whether additional payroll reports are required. Whether common deductions and taxable wages appear reasonable. Whether discrepancies can be resolved independently or should be escalated. Whether the completed census is ready to move forward in the proposal process. The Payroll Analyst I is expected to enter the role with a strong foundation in payroll, but not necessarily advanced or expert‑level knowledge. The position is designed for a developing payroll professional who can work independently on routine assignments while continuing to build expertise in more complex payroll, census, and proposal scenarios. Performance Expectations Accuracy and completeness of census files. Quality of payroll review and validation. Ability to independently interpret routine payroll reports. Timely identification of missing or inconsistent payroll information. Reduction of avoidable errors and rework. Effective communication with clients and internal stakeholders. Appropriate escalation of complex payroll issues. Timeliness and reliability of census preparation. Strong confidentiality and data‑handling practices. Continued development of payroll expertise and analytical capability. #J-18808-Ljbffr X Benefit Group