Sr Payroll Analyst

Are you a data-driven payroll professional who loves diving into the metrics, solving complex data puzzles, and building flawless processes? If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and look at a complex multi-state payroll cycle as a challenge to optimize rather than just a task to complete, we want you on our team.

As our Senior Payroll Analyst, you will be the strategic gatekeeper of our payroll integrity. You will lead detailed audits, handle complex calculations (ex: retro pay, commissions, and multi-state tax nuances), and partner across HR, Benefits, and Finance to ensure our systems run like a well-oiled machine. This is a role for a true analyst - someone who looks past the surface numbers to identify root causes, automate workflows, and elevate our payroll system configuration  

Hybrid (In office 1-2 workdays / month) to Chicago, IL, Raleigh, NC, Denver, CO Job Tasks & Duties Compliance, Risk & Audit Defense

• Regulatory Guardrail: Serve as the subject matter expert on federal, state, and local wage-and-hour laws across a multi-state footprint.

• Audit Readiness: Drive internal, external, and SOX compliance audits by compiling bulletproof documentation and building strict internal control workflows.

• Year-End Management: Assist with year-end balancing, W-2 and W-2C processing, and rapid error resolution.

Systems, Reporting & Cross-Functional Synergy

• Process Automation: Identify operational bottlenecks and implement process improvements; develop and maintain payroll dashboards, custom reports, and key performance indicators.

• Vendor & GL Integration: Manage critical vendor interfaces (benefits files, retirement contributions, garnishments) and handle general ledger ($GL$) account reconciliations.

• Level 2 Support: Act as the escalation point for complex payroll inquiries, while providing mentorship and technical guidance to junior team members.

• Experience: 5+ years of progressive payroll processing and analysis experience within a complex, multi-state and multi-national corporate environment.

• Tax Expertise: Deep, practical knowledge of multi-state tax regulations, compliance, and reciprocity laws.

• The Tech Stack: Workday Mastery: Direct administrative experience with Workday HCM and Workday Payroll is highly preferred.

• Advanced Excel Skills: You must be highly proficient in data analysis using pivot tables, V-lookups, X-lookups, and advanced data manipulations. Must be an open communicator, and an analytical mindset.

salary: $40 - $42.5 per hour
shift: First
work hours: 8 AM - 5 PM
education: Bachelors

Responsibilities

• Validate & Audit: Execute meticulous pre- and post-payroll audits covering earnings, complex deductions, and multi-state/multi-national taxes prior to final submission.

• Complex Calculations: Independently calculate and process intricate pay structures, including retro-pay, bonuses, commissions, and unique employee exceptions.

• System Configuration: Take ownership of pay code architecture, setting up and testing earnings codes, deduction rules, and system workflows to ensure total calculation accuracy.

Skills

• Payroll Processing
• Payroll Tax
• Payroll Tax-Multistate (5 years of experience is required)
• Payroll Accounting & Benefits
• Certified Payroll Professional
• Payroll
• Unemployment
• Payroll Calendars
• SOPs
• Troubleshooting
• SOX
• Audit - Internal
• level 2 analysis
• Benefits Administration
• Payroll Supv/Mgmt Responsibility (1 year of experience is preferred)
• Retro Pay
• Multi-State Tax (2 years of experience is preferred)
• Workday (2 years of experience is required)
• Workday HCM
• Payroll Discrepancies
• Pivot Tables
• V Lookup
• W-2 End of Year
• Payroll - 50 - 500
• Payroll - 500+
• Withholding Taxes
• Benefit Administration

Qualifications

• Years of experience: 5 years
• Experience level: Experienced

Randstad is a world leader in matching great people with great companies. Our experienced agents will listen carefully to your employment needs and then work diligently to match your skills and qualifications to the right job and company. Whether you're looking for temporary, temporary-to-permanent or permanent opportunities, no one works harder for you than Randstad.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other legally protected group status.

At Randstad, we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please contact View email address on randstadusa.com.

Pay offered to a successful candidate will be based on several factors including the candidate's education, work experience, work location, specific job duties, certifications, etc. In addition, Randstad offers a comprehensive benefits package, including: medical, prescription, dental, vision, AD&D, and life insurance offerings, short-term disability, and a 401K plan (all benefits are based on eligibility).

This posting is open for thirty (30) days.