Senior Payroll Specialist

Senior Payroll Specialist

NOW HIRING: Senior Payroll Specialist Compensation: $85,000-$105,000 per year

Job Overview

The Senior Payroll Analyst is responsible for the administration, analysis, auditing, and continuous improvement of payroll operations within a Workday environment. This role serves as a subject matter expert for payroll processes, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing, compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, and optimization of Workday Payroll functionality. The Senior Payroll Analyst partners closely with HR, Benefits, Finance, Accounting, and HRIS teams to support payroll-related projects, reporting, integrations, system enhancements, and regulatory compliance.

Roles & Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be assigned.

Payroll Operations

• Process and audit weekly, bi-weekly, and off-cycle payrolls to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Review payroll calculations, earnings, deductions, garnishments, taxes, and benefit deductions.
• Analyze payroll discrepancies and resolve complex payroll issues in a timely manner.

Compliance & Auditing

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, local, and international payroll regulations where applicable.
• Coordinate year-end activities including W-2 processing and payroll tax reconciliations.
• Support internal and external audits by preparing payroll documentation and reports.

Reporting & Analytics

• Develop and maintain Workday payroll reports, dashboards, and analytics.
• Reconcile payroll-related general ledger accounts and support accounting close activities.
• Generate payroll metrics and ad hoc reporting requests for Finance, HR, and business leaders.

Process Improvement & Projects

• Identify opportunities to improve payroll efficiency, automation, and data accuracy.
• Document payroll procedures and maintain process documentation.
• Lead payroll testing efforts for system updates, tax changes, and new functionality.

Qualification

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.

Minimum of 5 years of Workday Payroll experience.

Minimum of 7 years of progressive payroll administration experience.

Or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification a plus.

Workday Payroll Certification a plus.

Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations.

Experience processing multi-state payrolls for large employee populations.

Advanced proficiency in Workday Payroll, reporting, and business processes.

Strong analytical, auditing, and reconciliation skills.

Experience supporting payroll-related audits and compliance activities.

Advanced Microsoft Excel skills including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and data analysis functions.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is frequently required to walk and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.