Payroll Administrator 3 at Stride, Inc. in Austin, Texas

Payroll Administrator

Accounting focuses on internal management financial reporting including: cost accounting (allocating and analyzing direct and indirect costs, actual vs. budgeted cost variance analysis, etc.); budget accounting (developing and monitoring annual revenue/expense budgets for the purpose of controlling funds and measuring operating results). High School diploma or GED, Associate's degree, or professional certificate, 5+ years of experience

The Payroll Administrator is responsible for managing the payroll process from start to finish. Duties may include reviewing and auditing timekeeping records to ensure compliance with established standards, handling tax notices, managing state and local registrations, processing tax adjustments, supporting year-end activities, and participating in other projects as assigned.

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for the independent end-to-end preparation and processing of exempt/non-exempt (biweekly) multi-state payroll using Workday and OSV.
• Reconcile payroll from period to period.
• Calculate and review prorated wages and deductions when necessary (e.g., new hires, terminations, status changes).
• Ensure tax and payroll deduction withholdings are accurate, including understanding of reciprocity rules.
• Possess a solid understanding of Workday retros and their processing.
• Maintain payroll records in compliance with SOX.
• Troubleshoot and resolve payroll-related issues including tax adjustments for prior pay periods and years with minimal direction and supervision.
• Consistently demonstrate customer service best practices by promptly addressing all employee inquiries, including tax and W-2 related questions-through the ticketing system, while ensuring compliance with SLA guidelines by resolving tickets within 24 to 48 hours.
• Stay current on payroll and benefits legislation to ensure organizational compliance.
• Independently manage all types of tax notices in collaboration with OSV, ensuring timely handling of notices, state and local registrations without delays.
• Exhibit basic understanding of local tax requirements and termination laws across various states.
• Assist with ad hoc management requests/projects (as requested) including but limited to year-end and W-2 as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position has no formal supervisory responsibilities.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma AND
• Five (5) years of payroll experience INCLUDING
• Three (3) years of Workday payroll experience OR
• Equivalent combination of education and experience
• Ability to clear required background check

Other Required Qualifications:

• Familiarity with payroll processes, policies, and best practices.
• Experience in using ticketing systems (e.g., Fresh service, Zendesk).
• Proven ability to prioritize and re-prioritize effectively as business needs evolve.
• Experience collaborating with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with all levels of the organization while delivering excellent customer service.
• Problem-solving and judgment skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to the development and growth of team members.
• Advanced interpersonal skills and a flexible, business-partner mindset.
• Strong time management and task management skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Willingness to learn and take on new assignments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Availability to work in the Eastern Time Zone and to work overtime as approved and needed, primarily on payroll days or other key occasions only.

Certificates and Licenses: None Required

Desired Qualifications:

• Associate or bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance or related field and (5) year of related experience and/or training

Work Environment:

The work environmental characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Compensation & Benefits: Stride, Inc. considers a person's education, experience, and qualifications, as well as the position's work location, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value when determining a new employee's salary level. Offers will typically be in the bottom half of the range. The anticipated hourly range is $22.63 - $32.62 per hour. Eligible employees may receive a bonus. Stride offers a robust benefits package for eligible employees that can include health benefits, retirement contributions, and paid time off.