Payroll Analyst

Position Description

Title: Payroll Analyst

Department: Human Resources

Immediate Supervisor: Director, Payroll and Reporting


Status: Salaried Exempt

Position Purpose: The Payroll Analyst supports the accurate and timely processing of payroll for all employees by executing day-to-day payroll activities, maintaining employee data, and responding to payroll-related inquiries. This role ensures pay is processed in compliance with company policies, federal/state regulations, and established payroll procedures. The Payroll Analyst also provides consistent, high-quality service to employees and partners closely with HR, Benefits, and the HRIS team on transactional updates and issue resolution.

Principle Accountabilities

Payroll Processing and Execution

• Prepare, process, and audit biweekly and/or weekly payrolls to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
• Enter, validate, and reconcile employee changes, including new hires, rate changes, job changes, and terminations.
• Complete pre-payroll and post-payroll audits to confirm data accuracy and identify discrepancies.
• Review and process deductions, garnishments, bonuses, commissions, shift premiums, and other pay components.
• Ensure proper taxation based on federal, state, provincial, and local requirements.
• Coordinate closely with HRIS to resolve data issues impacting payroll.

Employee & Manager Support

• Serve as the primary contact for payroll questions, providing accurate and timely responses.
• Troubleshoot employee pay issues and escalate complex matters as appropriate.
• Educate employees and managers on payroll timelines, self-service tools, and common payroll processes.

Data Integrity & Compliance

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date payroll records in the system of record.
• Ensure compliance with wage and hour laws, multi-state tax rules, and company policies.
• Assist with quarterly and year-end payroll processes, including W-2/T4 support, reconciliations, and audits.
• Support audits (internal, external, SOX) by preparing requested payroll documentation.

Reporting & Transactional Support

• Run standard and ad-hoc payroll reports for Finance, HR, and other internal partners.
• Reconcile payroll results, including earnings, deductions, taxes, and general ledger entries.
• Support data requests for reporting, analytics, and payroll metrics.
• Maintain payroll calendars, processing checklists, and procedural documentation.

Essential Skills and Experience

• 2+ years of payroll processing experience in a multi-state environment.
• Strong working knowledge of payroll laws and regulations (wage and hour, tax, garnishment requirements).
• Experience with HRIS/payroll systems (Dayforce ideal).
• High attention to detail, accuracy, and confidentiality.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to reconcile data across systems.
• Customer-service mindset with clear and professional communication skills.
• Experience in US, Canadian, and/or union payroll preferred.